Alienware M17x R2 (sep 2010) gpu upgrade

Hello guys,

I have read threads about the GPU upgrade for my alienware m17x r2 but most are outdated.
It's now May 2015, what would be the latest GPU that I can upgrade for my laptop (also SLI).
processor: core i7 720QM
GPU: 5870 AMD (Single)

Thx

 

Hi,

7970M single and cross , 8970m same card with +50mhz on gpu core
580m single and sli, outdated
680 m single
770m single
780m single only on external screen
970m and 980m migh work , some are trying right now

Go for a 920/940 xm cpu too.

 

I see you have the 7970M in crossfire
Was also thinking of the 920/940XM cpu, but wasnt there a lot of hassle to get it working?
Or can you just replace the processor and you are done?

Didn't know you could also use a 970m and 980M card, I thought the cpu would be the bottleneck.

The 680M sounds good ... but quess it would also cost a lot of money to get the card and 940XM gpu?
Would you recommend a website ?
thx

 

I think Fox got 980m's working in SLI. I dunno, I'm pretty sure I saw it somewhere..

OP, if you have to pick between the 7970m or the 680m, I would pick the 680m. It's slightly more powerful, and is much less prone to failing. 7970m's have been failing like crazy this year! It's worth the extra $100

 

For the cpu it's a standard swap, just drop it in and play.

But with two 7970m you will have to mod a 330w psu and things, go look after the crossfire thread, it's a bit hard but it work quiet nicely. A 680m would be the best choice i think, it run cooler than 7970m and it's much more reliable. You can find them on ebay ( upgrademonkey for exemplee ) or here on the marketplace. Those are not cheap ... Go for the gpu upgrade fist, then the cpu.

For the 970/980m yeah it will bottlneck, it's already doing it with 7970m crossfire in fact. For now it's not confirme so wait a bit.

Mr Fox get them running in m18x R2 if i am right not in m17x R2.

 

This was in an M18x R2 and not the M17x R2... Different machines.. Didn't work properly (a lot of throttling) in m18x R2 so he bought the Clevo P570WM3...

 

Yes I could only find M18x R2 threads for Fox about the 980 sli

Anyway, I checked on ebay and the 680M graphic card is around 400 euros and the 920XM processor (cheapest) 200 euros
And these are all second hand, it is expensive for second hand.
this upgrade would cost me 600 euros and cheapest latest alienware is 1600 euros (inc vat, with 970M graphic cards and 4th generation CPU)
upgrading sounded perfects, bit I might just get a new Alienware ...

 

You should wait a bit, i have found my 920xm for 70 € and 220 € / 250 € for my 7970m's 6 month back. Anyway you will not have a payback for this upgrade when you will sell it so think about it. A good upgraded MSi can be found for 600/800 € with a better cpu for example.