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    Alienware M17XR2 Video Upgrade advice

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by kqmaverick, Sep 5, 2015.

  1. kqmaverick

    kqmaverick Notebook Consultant

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    I need some advice o upgrading my M17XR2 video card. I am currently running AMD 5870M in crossfire and just experienced my second card failure (first occurred 18 months ago and i stupidly replaced with another 5870M). I am currently leaning towards a single Nvidia GeForce GTX 680M 2GB ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nvidia-GeFo...I-Clevo-Alienware-upgrademonkey-/261268591539) and wanted to know if there are any reason not to go this route. Also what sort of difficulty am i looking at with this upgrade? Will my current X Bracket transfer over without issue? Will i need any custom BIOS or VBIOS? Will i need modified drivers?
     
    kqmaverick, Sep 5, 2015
    #1
  2. Rengsey R. H. Jr.

    Rengsey R. H. Jr. I Never Slept

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    I recently upgraded my m17x-R2 to the 680m GTX. Read my posts from the links below.

    Whats needed:

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...eyond-5870m-cf-and-gtx-285m-sli.768561/page-4

    Stock score:

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...-m17x-benchmark-thread-part-4.561350/page-411
     
    Rengsey R. H. Jr., Sep 5, 2015
    #2
    TR2N likes this.
  3. kqmaverick

    kqmaverick Notebook Consultant

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    Well it looks like i didn't have a Video Card failure but a PSU failure. That give me some more time to decide and get what will work best. So if i am reading everything right the biggest issue with the 680M is needing modified drivers to operate it?
     
    kqmaverick, Sep 6, 2015
    #3
  4. Killiandros

    Killiandros Notebook Consultant

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    Here's my experience:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ding-m17x-r2-5870cf-to-gtx-680m.714002/page-3

    All I needed was modded drivers - I think it already had a particular VBIOS pre-flashed when I bought it.
    (Only minor issues I had were with screws which the great members of the community helped me to solve).

    The only other thing to keep in mind is that fan control using HWInfo is required so be sure to have it and understand the settings if you don't already (there are many resources on this forum and via the official HWInfo forum).

    Good luck!
     
    Killiandros, Sep 9, 2015
    #4
  5. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    I've also seen 7970m on these :)
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Sep 11, 2015
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  6. Killiandros

    Killiandros Notebook Consultant

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    Not to de-rail the thread (and I'm sure I already know the answer), but any chance of ever getting BIOS updates that would enable those of us with m17xR2s (and other revisions) to upgrade to newer video cards?

    (Without re-hashing the disappointment, I have absolutely zero interest in purchasing another Alienware with soldered in components or something that requires an externally housed video card)
     
    Killiandros, Sep 12, 2015
    #6
  7. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    I don't think that will happen.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Sep 14, 2015
    #7