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    M17x R2 - Replace the graphic card?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by BrightStar, Jan 3, 2016.

  1. BrightStar

    BrightStar Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have noticed that fan on my laptop card kicks in quite a lot and temperates are always around 60+ c even on idle.

    I opened and clean the fans and the GPU and now these temp are around 50 degree Celsius.

    However is it possible to remove this card all together as I dont use it for gaming at all. Is there a built in graphics on the mother board or anything small which I could install?
     
    BrightStar, Jan 3, 2016
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  2. maxslo

    maxslo undefined

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    You could install a MXM 3.0a card, wich generates less heat but the integrated GPU on M17x R2 is disabled.
     
    maxslo, Jan 4, 2016
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  3. BrightStar

    BrightStar Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you. Sounds quite expensive option.

    Possible to replace CPU and GPU fans and if so, could you recommend which brand/type please?
    Thanks
     
    BrightStar, Jan 4, 2016
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  4. kosti

    kosti Notebook Virtuoso

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    The M17X R2 does not have an integrated graphics option. You may have a core i3 or i5 with integrated graphics but the chipset used on that model does not support this as an option.

    I would suggest cleaning the cpu/gpu and heatsinks and reapplying thermal paste. No need to change the fans if they work.
     
    kosti, Jan 4, 2016
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  5. maxslo

    maxslo undefined

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    It's not that expensive actually.
    I know for a fact that M5950 works in M17x R2, you just need to use HWiNFO to control the fans.
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-Prec...450139?hash=item4af6d0aa5b:g:49EAAOSw5dNWjTbg
    It is somewhat slower than the 5870M that you have now.

    The M4000 should also work, don't know for sure since i havent tried it, but the performance would be almost the same as 5870M.
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OEM-Dell-...351299?hash=item5417f78903:g:nlcAAOSw8d9Urxmj

    To sum it up:
    5870M - 50W TDP (100%) - 100% performance
    M5950 - 35W TDP (70%) - 75% performance
    M4000 - 33W TDP (66%) - 110% performance (not confirmed to work in M17x R2)

    The M5950 and M4000 cards will run much cooler than the 5870M, but just because of the temps i don't think it's worth upgrading / downgrading.
     
    maxslo, Jan 7, 2016
    #5