The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Alienware M17 R4 video card up-grade

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by takovr, Mar 5, 2015.

  1. takovr

    takovr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    69
    Messages:
    209
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I have a Alienware M17 R4 lap-top that I bought in 2013, it has a 7970 gpu in it. I was wondering what is the fastest video card I can put in it without flashing a new gpu bios? I just want to install a new gpu card that is plug and play.
     
    takovr, Mar 5, 2015
    #1
  2. mariussx

    mariussx Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    173
    Messages:
    604
    Likes Received:
    190
    Trophy Points:
    56
    It's very easy to flash the Vbios though. Otherwise, 7970 or gtx 680m are already the fastest cards, that are plug and play without any flashing or driver mods. Also, you do not have to flash vbios, you would only need to use modded drivers if you want 780m/970m/980m.
     
    mariussx, Mar 5, 2015
    #2
  3. takovr

    takovr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    69
    Messages:
    209
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    So if i buy a 980m all I have to do is install it and install modified drivers for it? Also i am running windows 7
     
    takovr, Mar 5, 2015
    #3
  4. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

    Reputations:
    1,456
    Messages:
    8,707
    Likes Received:
    3,315
    Trophy Points:
    431
    TomJGX, Mar 5, 2015
    #4