M17x R2 upgrade from single 5870 -> crossfire 5870

Has anyone completed this upgrade?

I saw a few threads, but they were a few months old asking about how this works.

Today I went into a livechat with Dell service and parts.

The rep there gave me a quote for the following.

Card,Graphics,Hard Drive,5870,Parker,Mobile Pci Express Module,Cable (RV546)

$334.99

This price is before tax, and surprisingly, it comes out to cheaper than the upgrade if I had it done at time of ordering.

This part follows your laptop's warranty.

Based on the research that I've done, it seems like there are two different video cards, one is supposedly the master package, and the other is the secondary package.

The single 5870 has part number C8245.

I was wondering if there was anyone who has completed this upgrade yet as I was wanting to do it sometime in the near future.

It looks like the RV546 part comes with a cable, assumed to be crossfire cable?

Was hoping there have been people who have done it with success hehe.

Also I am having a hard time finding benchmarks that compare the 5870m to 5870m crossfire so if anyone knows of some, that'd be helpful thanks.

 

I believe you also have to upgrade your AC adaptor to the 240w one, which if you buy from dell is another $100 ish. I believe there's links here on another thread where to buy them for a bit less with the same quality as from dell.

 

Yeah you do need the 240w one. Ebay has compatible adapters and actual dell ones.

Although, the entire expense around $400 is a lot less than I thought it would be for an upgrade, considering the system I came from, I paid 700 for just the 8800M GTX.

I'm hoping it is an easy swapout in the near future, as this investment is not 'that' heavy if crossfire is awesome soon. hehe

 

I was thinking about this upgrade going from 4870 xfire to 5870 xfire, whats the performance increase?

 

Still can't believe one has to pay over $100+ for the 240w psu. Talk of bubbled up price.

 

Not worth it talkin 15-25% just OC those badboys and you will get similar performance

 

last time I ordered one, I was waiting for like 3 months for the part to arrive before I gave up and said F it. That was when it first came out though, so maybe there isnt a shortage anymore.

 

What price did you pay?

 

Well, I actually have some new spare parts with me (Dell technician just left them with me....lol) I was saving them in case my cards go bad, but I can give them to you at a lower price than what Dell will charge you. I was planning to return my M17x for a MBP for college anyways.

I have both the 240w PSU and 5870 cards (Primary and Secondary). If you're interested, send me a PM

 

goten, PM'd.

 

I paid the $334.99 from dell + Tax was a little bit more $360~

I would buy it from dell if you still have existing warranty. If your second card gets fried and you buy it from dell, they will replace it under the original laptop warranty. If you purchase from someone else your SOL, something to think about.

 

Desertf0x9, did they update your service tag and include the second card on to your warranty?

 

My quote specifically said this as well, that it would follow the LONGER of two terms

1. 90 days
2. The remainder of your laptop's warranty.

So if you have 2 years remaining, this part will be warrantied for 2 years as well.

Desertfox, how was installation? the part came with everything needed right? crossfire cable?