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    M17x R3 SSD instilation and CPU upgrade

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by shermantank92, May 16, 2011.

  1. shermantank92

    shermantank92 Notebook Geek

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    I'm a bit new to the laptop scene to I need some help with a few things.

    First, if I want to add a vertex 3 128gb SSD to my setup, is there any brackets or anything that I would need to make it fit?

    Also, is there any significant difference between the stock i7 2630QM processor and the i7 2720QM? Is it really worth the $150 for the upgrade?(i'm getting the HD6970M gpu btw)

    Thanks!
     
    shermantank92, May 16, 2011
    #1
  2. sdcalbchguy

    sdcalbchguy Notebook Geek

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    The laptop already has a bracket installed. Just make sure you place it in port 1. There have been problems getting SATA III (6gb/s) to work using port 0. Also, make sure to initially set BIOS to AHCI and then switch to RAID during the first bootup after Windows 7 installation. There is a thread that gives specific instructions for Vertex 3 owners. Also, upgrade to the newest Vertex 3 firmware. I was having a lot of problems and the firmware fixed them.

    One of the big differences is that with the 2720, RAM can be run by default at 1600mhz. However, you can switch BIOS to get the 2630 to run faster ram as well. The price difference between 2720 and 2630 probably doesn't justify the performance difference.

    Hope this helps!
     
    sdcalbchguy, May 16, 2011
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  3. charvin

    charvin Notebook Enthusiast

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    [/QUOTE]

    What is the result of switching from AHCI to Raid?
     
    charvin, May 16, 2011
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  4. dreborn

    dreborn Notebook Geek

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    ya im curious on this one as well. and is just for vertex owners? i am throwing a crucial M4 drive in my M17x R3
     
    dreborn, May 16, 2011
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  5. sdcalbchguy

    sdcalbchguy Notebook Geek

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    Switching from AHCI to RAID is mainly a Vertex 3 issue. I was unable to successfully boot when in AHCI. Many other Vertex 3 owners have had the same issue as well. There is another thread that leads to a page where Intel actually recommends drive be set in RAID as well.

    I am unsure what your result will be with the M4. I've read that Intel 510's do not have this issue.
     
    sdcalbchguy, May 16, 2011
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  6. zergslayer69

    zergslayer69 Liquid Hz

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    Switching to raid will prevent you from getting a bsodwhen booting windows. May as well stay in raid the whole time.
     
    zergslayer69, May 16, 2011
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