Alienware M17x-R4: CPU upgrade choices?

Alienware M17x-R4;

OS; Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU: i7-3630QM @ 2.40GHz
GPU: Nvidia GTX 680M
RAM: 16GB RAM DDR3
SSD: Samsung SSD PM830 mSATA 64GB
HDD: 2 x 750GB Western Digital Scorpio Black |
WI FI: Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 2230


What are my CPU options for my system and just like when I was upgrading my GPU will my current heatsink be sufficient?




Thanks for your time, Anton

 

Yes, the heatsink will be enough, but you will not see much of an improvement in gaming no matter how high you go on the CPU front.

Ideally, go for an extreme edition (XM) CPU to maximize the performance delta, though be aware that in the end it might not amount to much, as the CPU might not be able to maintain high clocks (unless you're prepared to go Throttlestop and risk very high temps). There are a few XMs on sale on this forum.

(That being said, I am selling an i7-3840QM on NBR Marketplace myself. It's the best CPU option unless you are prepared to shed funds on a considerably more expensive but also more tweakable XM.)

 

ATM I am just wanting to find out whats available and compatible with my system so I can research it further.

When I was upgrading my GPU last time I learnt some valuable lessons on what I need to find out before i buy.

 

If your CPU heatsink has 3 pipes, you can even upgrade to 3920XM or 3940XM

 

The 3940XM would be the best CPU you can have in the M17x R4.

 

Is this a good deal?

The Fastest 3rd Gen Intel Core i7 3940XM Quad Extreme SR0US 3 3 9GHz CPU | eBay

 

It's about what they go for now. Not good, not bad. I think a good price is at or below $450.

Try messaging that person and see if they'll allow "best offer" and then make an offer of $450.

 

Upgrading the GPU? You replaced the 7970M with the 680M lol? Not much of an upgrade... From personal experience here, I had a 3630QM and I bought a 3940XM from someone here as it was cheaper than buying a 3840QM from ebay.. I personally would get that but I had an insane deal for the 3940 so its your luck really...

 

This is true, you need a 3 pipe heatsink for this CPU.

 

Porras, how can I get this heatsink? I only have the 2 pipe and its not very good. Can the GPU's 3 pipe heatsink for 17x R4 be used with the CPU?

 

There is no 3 pipe heatsink for the M17x, only for the M18x.

 

Sorry about that, it's true. Only the m18x has the 3 pipe heatsink option.

 

So i have a 2 pipe what are my options?

 

If you are going to upgrade might as well go with xm processors.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

I know this post is old, but I was wondering if there was a verdict on the "best processor" for the M17x R4. I have this laptop and I do a lot of comuterized programming and software development and I was wondering if it was possible to put the i7-3940XM into my system without a problem. I already use a laptop cooling pad with two 140mm fans and it does an excellent job keeping my rig cool. I also installed the Gtx 980m (which was a pain in the rear) and I would like to know if I can simply plug-n-play the 3940xm without a hitch. I saw that someone said I would need a "modified bios"? I am also curious as to where I could obtain that particular bios.
Lastly, would there be anything else I would need for the upgrade? (I've taken apart this laptop many times in my effort to replace the gpu. I have even replaced the motherboard.)
Thanks!

 

Probably the PSU from 240W to 330W to complement the higher TPD parts.

 

Hello all,
I recently did this CPU upgrade from the i7-3620QM to the i7-3940XM. I have the m17x-R4. There are two heatsinks over the CPU, I have the stock power brick. I am having issues with processes being slower than they used to be. I thought this was a simple plug and go upgrade, but did I miss something? If you need any information from me, let me know, I really need some help figuring out why my "faster" processor is hosing up certain processes on my computer. Thanks.

 

What are your CPU temps under 100% load and idle?

 

Idle it is running around 50 C, using HeavyLoad as a stress tester, running for 5 minutes it never got above 90 C. That was without my laptop cooler running and I have not incorporated the M14x-R2 CPU Fan mod yet, which is supposed to make a big difference from what I have read. When I received the CPU, it had one bent pin, which I realigned and thought it fit fine, could that be a problem, or maybe I tightened the heatsink too much? I also only have the two heatsinks above the CPU, is that really an issue? I mean for the most part my system runs good, but during certain processes, for instance, earlier I opened Google Chrome and opened a web page and began typing and the Web Browser became unresponsive. It is little things like that. Nothing major like blue screens or anything of that sort, just little bottlenecks it seems. Let me know if you need anymore readings.

 

Whats the M14x-R2 CPU fan mod?

 

Pins should be fine if they aligned fine afterwards. I believe there is no 3 pipe CPU heatsink for R4, only GPU heatsink has 3 pipes if you had 680m or above. So 2 pipe CPU heatsink is already the best option available. Did you get OEM CPU or ES/QS version? What is the wattage rating of your stock PSU and which graphics card are you using?

Replacing the stock CPU fan (2.3CFM) with 10.4CFM fan from M14x R2. This lowers the temps as well as changes the CPU fan noise and it sounds similar to a GPU fan.

 

I believe it is the OEM, it is the SR0US version. For some reason my laptop is defaulted to the Intel HD 4000 graphics, but I have the AMD Radeon 7970m card in my system. I have the stock PSU, which I believe is the 240 watt version.
My BIOS is I believe the latest as well A12 I think it is, I would have to double check.

I was planning to overclock to 4.0 Ghz also as a side note. I am just trying to make sure that everything is running as it should be (in this case faster and cooler than the 3630QM was) before i take the OC jump. lol.

 

Are you running Intel XTU? It caused my clocks to lock @ 3.0Ghz. Uninstalled and everything is great. Overclocking thru the BIOS now.
Also, try a power drain and A CMOS reset might be useful.