External Graphics for Alienware M17-R3

Hi there,

Does anyone know if external graphics can be used on an Alienware M17-R3 (early 2011)? I've read you would need Thunderbolt or that special Alienware port, mine has none, too old. I've got just what appears to be a Display port.

Y

 

I have hooked up a Dell P2210 to the VGA port and gotten external graphics that way when my graphics card (was Radeon, now nVidia 680M) went out. There are probably other and better answers coming soon. I also have an Alienware M17-R3 running Windows 7 Ultimate and also Debian GNU/Linux stretch V9.110(whatever).

 

You could use the mPCIe but its not really worth the trouble.

Grab a 780M instead and call it a day.

 

I was maybe unclear, sorry for that. I've thought about this one: https://gamingmag.org/best-external-graphics-card/

 

I know exactly to which you are referring.

You can use mPCIe, that is the best you can utilize in your laptop. That is extremely limiting and more so if you want to use the internal screen.

You would get better performance from just getting a 780m for your laptop.

To put it more clearly, you cant use any one of those eGPU's in your link as they all use I/O that was implemented after your laptop was released.

 

You can use mPCIE for an eGPU, but upgrading your dGPU would be better in everyway. 680m is very capable IMO. The best you can do for your laptop is a 980m ($300-400USD)

 

I've seen the R4 use the 980m but I hadn't seen that for the R3.

 

Then if not, the 780M is a sure bet, about GTX 760 full performance, although I have no hands on experience with it

 

Highest possible in a r3 is a 880m, higher is not possible due to lack of UEFI-Support.
Would also recommend a 680m/780m.