How Easy Is It To Upgrade The M17x?

Hi all,

So I have been deciding between the G73 and M15x. Now I am considering the M17x but it is so expensive. Then I realized, some things about the M17x I can always upgrade, right?

If I was to get the M17x I would get the things that you are stuck with once you buy them. So for sure the 1200p screen. My question is, if I get the basic configuration and just add the 1200p screen, is everything else upgradeable later on?

Specifically:

1) Can you upgrade the processor without taking apart the whole computer (i.e. G73)? AND if I get the i5 dual core processor, can I upgrade to a quad core later or will the quad core not be supported by the motherboard?

2) If I get one 5870 graphics card, can I buy another 5870 later on to get Crossfire? Is this technically difficult or is it easy?

3) If I want to change to Nvidia, can I buy a 285M or 460M and just slap it in there? In other words, can I change easily between ATI and Nvidia?

4) If I get one HD, are there two HD slots (i.e. is one slot vacant)?

5) Will any of this void my warranty or cause risk to my computer?

 

Hi Viper,

Yes to question 1, but you do need to take the machine apart
Yes to question 2, but it is technical and would cost a bomb
Yes to question 3, but it would cost a bomb
Yes to question 4, but you need a slave h/d caddy, dell will supply if you ask, or i have a spare if required
Yes to 1,2,3 no to 4

 

What is a slave h/d caddy? Pardon my ignorance.

 

Caddy = device that houses your Hard disk driv, they dont just bolt right in, they require a slevve to lock them in place. The master or drive 0 caddy is different to the slave or drive 1 caddy. dell only ship th edevice with 1 caddy and that is usually the drive 0 caddy

hope that helps

 

Ok I think I understand. So there is a second slot, but that second slot doesn't have the caddy (i.e. "sleeve"). So I just need to buy a sleeve basically when I buy my second HD. And it needs to be slave sleeve not a master sleeve.

Sounds kind of kinky

 

well like i said if you buy the machine from Dell, ask for it on the get go, if you do not buy from Dell, dont buy one, jus thit me up and i'll send a spare slave over to you. I ordered a spare by mistake and i needed a master caddy not a slave lol, so i got a spare

 

The extra HDD caddy will come with it as will the interposer and screws needed.

 

and interposer.....DR650SE, not true, if you buy in the UK you need to ask or it comes with only one

 

Ahh ok, didn't know that.

 

Np, man....I know it is different all over, not sure where the poster is located, so your point is still valid

 

I'm in Canada. I would order off the Alienware.ca site. The base model comes with the i5, 4GB of RAM and 250GB HD, so that could last me a year or so. The next model up has the i7, 6GB of RAM and 500GB HD, and that's currently on sale so only $100 more. If I got that one, it would be a long time before I needed more HD space, if ever. But it's nice to know ahead of time what my options are.

Gintor if it doesn't come with the slave sleeve, I will definitely hit you up for your spare!

 

Any time bud !!!!!!, i would deff go the extra $100 though

 

So does Dell offer these Slave Caddy's at no cost if you ask for it or do they have a price?

 

Not if you're in the US. You will get one automatically with your new system.

 

Even better ok thanks I did not realize it automatically came with it... Btw what brand hard drives does Dell use with these M17x? Seagate ? BTW I hate seagate! I do computer repair for a living and this is by far the most unreliable brand these things fail left and right!

 

I bought my M17x refurbished to someone in ebay from usa, with only one HDD, I am from Chile. then installed another HDD with no problems because it came with the caddy and screws and everything necessary to install the second hard drive.

 

I've personally upgraded the processor, optical drive, wireless card, and hard drives. It's easy, just time consuming if you've never done it before...