Configuration question [M17xR4]

This might come off dumb for you guys but I want to be sure.
So bare with me on this one...

I would like to know if I order a M17x with a 7970M, will I be able to replace the card with lets say a GTX 680M?
Like take out and replace kinda thing with new paste and that's about it.

I'm pretty sure that's a yes and all mobile GPU use the same slots and stuff.
But I would like to know for sure if I can replace it with a stronger single GPU card later.

 

yup the should be 100% upgradeable. 7970m might be faster than the 680m, nobody knows for sure yet.

 

the 7970 is not soldered to the motherboard so yes you can take it out and put in another one.

 

I'm thinking of getting the 675M instead with the 120hz screen and then later hopefully upgrade the GPU to a stronger nVidia card.

 

if you arent getting the 7970 it would probably be better to wait for the 680 to be offered before you purchase, unless you just really need a pc right now

 

+1 for this, you will save quite a bit of money in the long run as well since nvidia cards always cost an arm and a leg.

 

Yeah really in need of a laptop, though I do travel between countries when needed.

Can the trackpad be disabled in the bios/windows...I hate those things.
The heatsink is different on the AMDs also compared to the nVidia's correct?

 

yup there is a function button at the top of the keyboard that allows you to turn it on and off. There is also another option in the alienware command center that allows you to set the trackpad to turn off when a mouse is connected.

The heatsinks are very similar I think besides the difference in thermal pads. Not 100% sure on the m17x r4 heatsinks though.

 

Was using this as reference: M17xR3 with 7970M

I would have to order it from Ebay, as mobile parts like GPU's aren't sold in the Netherlands.
So with a nVidia card in mind for the future it would be ''better'' to go with the 675M as (I think) the heatsink would fit a potential 680M.

Or am I completely off?

 

we don't know anything about the 680m right now as it is vaporware. So you can't make assumptions about heatsink compatibility etc.

If you want to stick to nvidia, your only choice right now is the 675m which is grossly underpowered when compared to the 7970m

If you get the 7970m, you can only get the 60hz screen

 

That's the thing I want the 120hz screen for FPS + hopefully less strain on my already so bad eyesight.
Or better yet, let's say the 680M comes out in July, does Dell allow upgrade/exchange?
Not familiar with the brand so trying to figure out what's the best way to go about this.

 

you should talk to Widezu who has the 120hz screen. I don't think its that much better...maybe a tad brighter

They won't offer exchanges on working hardware...and July is very optimistic. IF they offer the 680m in July, it will probably be the cut down version that is often quoted online as a leak...the one that scores 4900 in 3dmark11 which isn't too good compared to a stock 7970m that scores 5600-5800. It means that you will have to overclock this card quite high just to match the 7970m

I was told september before the real 680m is released (or whatever it will be called)

 

Will do and thanks to everyone for the quick responses.

This thread can be closed, I know enough.