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    M17x R2 Upgrade Question

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by BeeSwifT, Dec 9, 2010.

  1. BeeSwifT

    BeeSwifT Notebook Enthusiast

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    I currently have an M17x R2 with the base i5-m 520 2.4Ghz, NVidia GTX285, 4 gigs of ddr3 1333 mhz ram. I do a lot of computer rendering with 3ds Max, Maya, and play games. I usually always have it plugged in to an external monitor, a samsung television, while doing everything...usually extended to use both monitors but sometimes I use the television only. What would be most beneficial to upgrade for doing this? Should I SLi the graphics card? Upgrade processor or ram? When I do rendering work the ram spikes a lot so I was thinking about doubling my ram, but who wouldn't love two graphics cards in a laptop? I'm not sure which way to go...
    Thanks
     
    BeeSwifT, Dec 9, 2010
    #1
  2. SpideRMaN-17

    SpideRMaN-17 Notebook Consultant

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    Hi,

    I do plenty of rendering too, the CPU, RAM HD and Nvidia SLI are all used for this process (The more speed the better)

    regarding SLI (Nvidia) it's very important cos CUDA is used by the software you use and speed almost double cos the GPU's will do plenty of work ;) . .

    ATI (crossfire) is not used (no cuda :( )
     
    SpideRMaN-17, Dec 9, 2010
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  3. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    I would upgrade the processor to a 920XM from eBay. They are around $500. That will grant you a large jump in performance.
     
    TurbodTalon, Dec 9, 2010
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  4. DR650SE

    DR650SE The Whiskey Barracuda

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    Agree with both points.
     
    DR650SE, Dec 9, 2010
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  5. BeeSwifT

    BeeSwifT Notebook Enthusiast

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    If I upgrade to the processor off of Ebay then will it void my warranty? I have a warranty carried over from a broken m17x R1 from last September for three year complete care. Do I just not tell them that I upgraded or what? Thanks a lot.
     
    BeeSwifT, Dec 9, 2010
    #5
  6. SpideRMaN-17

    SpideRMaN-17 Notebook Consultant

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    yes I think it will void your warranty

    but if you keep your stock processor you can change it back if you want to use warranty
     
    SpideRMaN-17, Dec 9, 2010
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  7. BeeSwifT

    BeeSwifT Notebook Enthusiast

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    I would do this upgrade but I don't really want to void my warranty...will upgrading the processor to a base i7 through alienware and SLI graphics work just as good? I don't think my parents would enjoy me trying to void a warranty -.-
     
    BeeSwifT, Dec 11, 2010
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  8. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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    you can upgrade the CPU, GPUs, memory, Drives Etc. without voiding the warranty so long your upgrade does not damage the latop

    also you need to keep the original parts for warranty coverage IE if you need to send the laptop for repair or exchange the original parts should be back in it.

    if you buy the upgrade parts from Dell then those parts would be covered under the laptops warranty (but this is more expensive)
     
    dave-p, Dec 11, 2010
    #8