Alienware M17x R3 AMD 6870M upgrade to 7970M

Hi guys,

I have a Alienware M17x R3 AMD 6870M and I plan to upgrade my video card to a AMD 7970M.

Specs:
Intel Core i7-2630QM 2.0GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode) with 6MB of Cache
8GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory
17.3-inch 1600x900 WLED Display
AMD Radeon HD 6870M 1GB GDDR5 Graphics Card
Windows 8 64bit

At the moment this is the one I found on ebay but I need your advice if it will work with my Laptop? Promotion Alienware AMD HD DELL 7970M 2GB GDDR5 -for M15x, M17x ,M18x ,upgrade | eBay

Not sure where else to get the video card and I am based in the UK.

Is there anything I need to know before hand before upgrading?

Thanks for your help

Rich

 

You could also try posting this here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...lienware-m17x-r3-r4-owners-lounge-thread.html

It should not have any issues, you may be required to flash the vBIOS though.

 

Thanks Porras, yep I gathered that I had to flash the bios.

 

The only piece of advice I can give you is maybe try to source the card in Europe because you could be subject to Import Dutues , Excise Duty and VAT . This is worked out at how much you pay for the card plus delivery . I'm based in Ireland and alot of our laws are the same or similar to UK laws . So I would check out any import duties before ordering a card .

 

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