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    If I want a new motherboard... how do I do it?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by slim6y, Jan 5, 2015.

  1. slim6y

    slim6y Notebook Guru

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    Ok, simple question, but it appears like the answer is a little complicated.

    I have an M17x R1 (2010) but I'd like to upgrade now. I've hardly used the screen as I've had it connected to an external screen for most of its life. The battery is still good and I have 1TB of hard drives in there which are still in excellent condition. But the graphics card and processor are really lagging now. The computer freezes regularly and the graphics card isn't good enough for games.

    So I went to a shop to see if it was as simple as I thought - but a new motherboard and graphics card and away you go. But this doesn't seem to be the case. So - can I modify my M17x R1 with a completely new motherboard and new graphics card? If so, what do I need to look for? What information would you need so I can tell if this is possible?

    Thanks kindly.
     
    slim6y, Jan 5, 2015
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  2. tinker_xp

    tinker_xp Notebook Consultant

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    Hi Slim6y,

    The Alienware's can be quite versatile in terms of upgrading items.

    To help could you list all your current spec's your laptop has such as the CPU and GPU etc etc and this will help the community point you in the right direction.
     
    tinker_xp, Jan 5, 2015
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  3. slim6y

    slim6y Notebook Guru

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    Manufacturer
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9000 @ 2.00GHz
    Clock Speed
    2Ghz
    L2 Cache Size
    6144

    I'm having troubles finding the whole list - I'll start here... BBS with graphics.
     
    slim6y, Jan 5, 2015
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  4. slim6y

    slim6y Notebook Guru

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    NVIDIA GeForce9400 (I think that's the integrated graphics card).

    I have a GeForce 260 (I think) - but it causes massive crashes so I am just using the integrated card now.
     
    slim6y, Jan 5, 2015
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  5. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Slim6y, honestly, your'e better off upgrading to a new laptop.. it's just too old..

    Upgrades wise, you can put a QX9300 CPU, 8GB RAM, Dual 5870M CF however it's hardly much of an upgrade nowadays..
     
    TomJGX, Jan 5, 2015
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  6. slim6y

    slim6y Notebook Guru

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    Yes, I thought as much. So I can't just get a new motherboard with everything? I have to just start again? Seems wasteful unfortunately, as the screen, battery and everything still has life.
     
    slim6y, Jan 5, 2015
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  7. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    The thing is everything is now old.. If 1 thing fails, it will be a waste.. You can put a R2 Motherboard, put in a 920XM, dual 7970Ms CF but it will be a lot of hassle and with that expense, you really might as well buy a new one.. It's not a waste.. You have to upgrade eventually..
     
    TomJGX, Jan 5, 2015
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