Alienware M17x R3 - 6990m Video Memory Integrity

So today my M17xR3 screen went blank and wouldn't respond. I tried to reboot the system but I got these strange blue sections of screen. When I run the diagnostics at boot, I'm getting Error Code 2000-0332 Mg: Video memory - Video memory integrity test discrepancy. I'm out of warranty (obv as this is about 3 years old), what are my options? Will dell replace the card at a reasonable amount or am I just screwed?

It just figures, I was trying to figure how to get some more life out of it and it craps out on me in the process.

My specs are I7 2630qm, 6990m amd, 12gb DDR3, 240 M500 ssd boot, with 750gb hdd.

 

No warranty = no help. Just replace that 6990M with something better. I think the 8970M is twice as powerful. It should be a pretty easy upgrade.

 

I'd try reseating your gpu before you replace it. Might fix the problem, but you're more than likely gonna have to replace it.

 

If you guys wouldn't mind giving me your opinion, let me ask a question. My wife had ordered me a new 17 with the 980m as a "suprise" but I've yet to receive it. At this point I need to decide to fix this M17xR3 with some upgrades or let that new laptop arrive, try to replace this gpu cheaply and sell this system. I'm seeing 780m's for 400ish, and like 2860qm's for less than 200. If it were you, what would you choose to do (cancel the order and upgrade current, or fix current and not cancelling order).

 

The new 17 will outperform your current rig by leaps. The 980M is basically a desktop GTX 780 in disguise. However, it is not upgradeable - both the CPU and GPU are soldered. It also only supports up to 16GB's of RAM, which may or may not be a big deal.

I'd definitely wait for it to arrive and then discuss it with your wife. There is a 30 day return period (from the date of shipment), so there's plenty of time to decide. Hell, you may even end up liking it. There's no harm in trying it out. :thumbsup:

 

i'd buy a 680m instead of the 780m because the 680m is more easily to install and configure from what I understand, but I would say to keep the new 17 and fix/sell the older machine. Just my 10 cents.

 

What are your thoughts on a 7970m that would run approx 300? That would likely be the least expensive solution?

 

Yea you could do that. There is a simple install guide around here somewhere. I'll see if I can find it.

Edit: Very good guide by my old bro slickdude. Hope it helps!!

[GUIDE] Installing and Overclocking the AMD Mobility 7970 in the M17x R3,an illustrated guide

 

I recommend the 8970M over the 7970M. They are almost identical, but the 8970M has more VRAM and is a bit faster, and they're both priced similarly. Also, I haven't seen any "dead" 8970M's thus far on these forums, so that's always good.

 

Hey Dre, I appreciate the feedback concerning the 8970m vs the 7970m. I had found a "new" 7970m on ebay for 300+20 shipping. The cheapest 8970m that I had found was closer to 400 and at that point I could just order the 780m. The new 17 isn't supposed to arrive until the 9th of Feb, so I guess I'll be back to a decision of what to do with this system. The responsible version of me wants to cancel the order and just get a few more years out of this r3, but the enthusiast in me still wants the new system lol.

 

The 780M is definitely worth the extra money. It's a great card. However, going from 6990M to 780M is a bit more tricky. I'm not sure how tech savvy you are, but it isn't a "plug and play" upgrade.

If I were you, I'd just wait for the R2 to arrive and decide from there.

 

I agree with J Dre on this.. Your'e R2 will blow this out of the water.. Also, unless you get a 2920/2960XM + 780M, honestly, upgrading is not worth it.. 780M should work but 7970M will work more easily.. As for 8970M, it's hit and miss due to vBIOS.. if you don't have the correct vBIOS, your'e in a world of hurt...

 

Thanks for the feedback Tom, and Dre. With the price being the least expensive + upgrade over hotter 6990m I ordered a 7970m. Trying to explain the situation and the financial hit of having to repair and sell vs just sell to the dell sales team hoping they can maybe offset some of the cost of the new R2 to soften the blow of the r3 repairs. I'm not sure how having a 7970m in an r3 over the 6990m will help resell value, but hopefully with it's improved performance I can make some of it back when selling the r3. The R2 is coming with the 16gb ram, 980m, 4710hq, and the base hdd config. (will likely buy a m.2 drive off amazon for windows).

 

All in all a nice surprise gift from the Wifey! :thumbsup: Enjoy!

 

For those interested, the new 17 showed up today. Just ran a 3dmark11 results are p10102. Gfx score 12226, phsx 7642, comb 5553. Damn I want to keep this thing...

 

not a bad score for a laptop lol.

 

Ok so 7970m got here today (super happy with where i bought the 7970m off ebay). It was brand new (i think) in static packaging. I was super stressed swapping due to the thermal pads having some tears (one was completely fubar) but thanks to bigtony for helping me through that haha. System started without a hitch, and I was able to install the most recent omega drivers without any tweaks, issues or anything (and many props to slickdudes guide for that). Running 3dmark11 on it now to stress test it and run it through it's paces but glad my m17xr3 is working.