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    IF the M17x R4 is the same design as the R3

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by hanser, May 9, 2012.

  1. hanser

    hanser Notebook Consultant

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    IF the M17x R4 is the same design as the R3 so we can change the mother board to use the PCI Express 3.0no? i mean same USBS... HDMI AUDIO AND MICROPHONE ETC ETC... i mean is the same chassins we can change the Mother Board no? if is the same thing?
     
    hanser, May 9, 2012
    #1
  2. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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    its possible but the hassle is not worth it
     
    long2905, May 10, 2012
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  3. hanser

    hanser Notebook Consultant

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    what do you mean? i mean is the same thing is only to change the motherboard :)
     
    hanser, May 10, 2012
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  4. aznpos531

    aznpos531 Notebook Evangelist

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    I could be wrong but, I'd imagine it's a bit difficult to source an R4 motherboard at the moment.
     
    aznpos531, May 10, 2012
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  5. GeoCake

    GeoCake http://ted.ph

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    Why don't you try it out and then report back to us? :D
     
    GeoCake, May 10, 2012
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  6. SoulWitcher

    SoulWitcher Notebook Consultant

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    From what I have been reading up, the r3 and r4 chassis are slightly diffrent, so at the moment you cant. Though i could be wrong.
     
    SoulWitcher, May 10, 2012
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  7. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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    i meant they could be identical. Or there could be some slight changes like additional screw, block or panels that you wont know until you disassemble both. I did once with an MSI machine and the result is not worth it.
     
    long2905, May 10, 2012
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  8. aarpcard

    aarpcard Notebook Deity

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    People were able to swap R2 motheboards into their R1's. I'm sure you'll be able to put a R4 mb into an R3.

    Why bother though? Only for Ivy Bridge? Doesn't seem very practical.
     
    aarpcard, May 10, 2012
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  9. JoeyFUZZ911

    JoeyFUZZ911 Notebook Evangelist

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    swapping out mobos is no easy task. You would have to take everything thing out of the R3, and i mean everything down to the last screw even the speakers. its a big risk to mess up.
     
    JoeyFUZZ911, May 10, 2012
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  10. hanser

    hanser Notebook Consultant

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    i am workiing on my own gamminig laptop that ii will sell on the furture The Name of my Gammiing Laptop would be DRACKTER!


    i hope i can finisih i cant riight no because im workiing and go to the gym is my proriitiie now
     
    hanser, May 10, 2012
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  11. getaloaf

    getaloaf Newbie

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    does anyone know whether the keyboard for the R4 is the same as the keyboard for the R3? if so do you know the part number?
     
    getaloaf, May 10, 2012
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  12. 2011Mustang5.0

    2011Mustang5.0 Notebook Guru

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    ....Your working on your "own" gaming laptop by taking apart someone else's creation?
     
    2011Mustang5.0, May 10, 2012
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  13. hanser

    hanser Notebook Consultant

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    NOPE i was asl asking for that motherboard... and im workking on my own Mother Board... and and chassiis of the computer... im an ingenier and well im good :)
     
    hanser, May 10, 2012
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  14. page305

    page305 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm considering it so I can upgrade to the 680m and keep my 3d use... I've also heard the R4 mobo has the 3D HDMI in and Outs that the R3 lacked.
     
    page305, Sep 7, 2012
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  15. SVOShark

    SVOShark Notebook Consultant

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    I hope your engineering skills are better than your spelling and grammar.

    If you're such a good engineer, why hasn't a company like Dell already picked you up?
     
    SVOShark, Sep 7, 2012
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  16. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Guys remember the chassis is the same with a different mobo for support for more CPUs and GPUs but also the display is different. The R3 3D display is different to the R4 3D display.
     
    widezu69, Sep 7, 2012
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  17. SlimShady

    SlimShady ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒ&

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    Did it ever occur to you that perhaps English isn't his native language or did you just figure being a jerk and trying to be funny meant that it didn't matter?
     
    SlimShady, Sep 7, 2012
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  18. SVOShark

    SVOShark Notebook Consultant

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    No, I'm quite aware it may not be his native language. I'm also aware people of that knowledge level normally don't go around boasting on the forums about how good of an engineer they are.

    My statement about being scooped up by a company still stands. If you're that good, someone would notice.

    Quit trying to be the white knight of the forums.
     
    SVOShark, Sep 7, 2012
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  19. leeshjnn

    leeshjnn Notebook Evangelist

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    I agree that it's kinda means to say something like that. But oh well, I'm not a native English speaker either. Most of the time, people understand half of what I'm trying to say. But this guy's grammar is quite bad and he is claiming he is good at engineering? I would definitely suggest him to use Google or Microsoft Word to fix his grammar before posting and claiming he is good at something else.

    Anyway, this guy right here got his R4 back with a R3 motherboard that AW accidentally put it in. So I think you may be able to replace your R3 motherboard with a R4.
     
    leeshjnn, Sep 7, 2012
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  20. bigtonyman

    bigtonyman Desktop Powa!!!

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    I've stripped my machine all the way down and if you haven't done something similar before, I wouldn't do it. Its to easy to forget where screws go or mess up a component while taking it out or re-installing it. Why do you want to upgrade? If you need more CPU power its easier to just buy a 2920xm and Overclock rather than upgrade to Ivy Bridge. ;)
     
    bigtonyman, Sep 7, 2012
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  21. Alienware-Luis_Pardo

    Alienware-Luis_Pardo Guest

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    I believe they use the same chassis, but as tony says, I don't think it's worth the hassle.

    Physically they look the same, which leads me to believe it would work correctly but I haven't tried replacing one yet.

    M17x R3 ENG keyboard - 9M46F
    M17x R4 ENG keyboard - PW56N
     
    Alienware-Luis_Pardo, Sep 7, 2012
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  22. SVOShark

    SVOShark Notebook Consultant

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    When I repair laptops I use little dishes, take photos of it while it's being taken down and number the photos with the corresponding screw bowl.

    I made the mistake when I was younger not doing that with my first car, had leftover bolts, lol.
     
    SVOShark, Sep 7, 2012
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  23. bigtonyman

    bigtonyman Desktop Powa!!!

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    Yup exactly. It takes a ton of effort to do the first time, and in this instance there won't be a significant gain. Plus Your warranty is pretty much gone if you have to send your machine in for something since you have the r4 mobo in there.
     
    bigtonyman, Sep 7, 2012
    #23