M17x R3 potential part upgrades

Sup all... Been a while since I've been here... Life gets in the way, you know...


Anyways, been looking at doing something about my system. Its not 'old' per se, but I'd like it to be newer.

Current specs:

i7-2630qm
12 gig of DDR3 1333MHz memory
BDROM
120 gig OCZ Solid 3 SSD
320 gig HD
1600x900 screen
Radeon 6870m


Basically I'm looking to see what I can do to it.

I've already swapped the DVDROM that came with it for a BDROM I was using in my HTPC since it was slot-load. Fit fine and works perfectly. I also added additional RAM and an SSD.

I saw mention on another forum that the M17xR3 can be upgraded to a couple of the ivy bridge processors. Is this actually the case?

Here is the link:
Welcome to Boom Town M17xR3 owners! - Alienware Arena Forums

If it matters, CPU-Z says the following about my system:
Chipset: Intel HM67
Bios: A10

I was under the impression that the HM67 could not take an ivy bridge processor, so I wouldnt really be surprised if the people in this thread are discussing another board revision or something, but I figured I'd ask for clarification in case someone here knows.


Second, I plan on swapping the screen for a full HD screen, the prices have been coming down for full assembly screens at the places I've been looking, so now its simply a matter of time.

Third, I may eventually swap the graphics card, but mobile graphics cards are so obsurdly expensive I've not done it yet. I'm unfortunately not made of money.


Finally, and a longshot does the R4 motherboard fit in the R3?

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks

 

as far as i know (please correct me if am wrong) the r4 case is exactly the same as the r3 expect the upgrade esata etc so the MOBO should fit without any issues but ur talking big bucks for that as far as IVY bridge processors go i don't think they would work in the R3 but i could be wrong. but if u had a r4 mobo u could use them

you could upgrade ur gpu without a problem such as the 7970m or the gtx680 ( that ones a work in progress) as i have asked for guide from someone but there are users who have GTX680ms working

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/672230-m17x-r3-680m-compatability.html GTX 680m

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-mobility-7970-m17x-r3-illustrated-guide.html 7970 guide

 

There's a couple of 3610qm processors on ebay right now that are very reasonably priced, no bids for whatever reason, still trying to determine if they are legit. There is one motherboard that I saw that is kind of expensive, but I figure ~$600 for the processor and board is pretty reasonable.

Unfortunately I'm not in the position to buy it right this second and the auctions end soon. But if this does indeed work, then it'd be a way to get some more life out of this machine for less money later when I'm in a position to spend more cash.

Intel Core i7-3610QM Quad Core | eBay

DELL Alienware M17xR4 M17x R4 Replacement Motherboard QBR00, 0QBR00 TESTED | eBay

 

Do your research on the Ivy Bridge processors. As a general rule, the Ivy bridge CPUs are NOT compatible with the Sandy Bridge R3s. That doesn't mean all Ivy Bridge CPUs aren't backwards compatible with the older motherboards. Here is an article explaining that: AnandTech - Intel's Ivy Bridge Architecture Exposed. But don't get your hopes up that you will get an I7-3820QM installed and running into your R3. If there are users out there who successfully created such a union, you can bet they heavily modified their R3s (and Frankenstein'd their BIOS) to get it to work. But this is the Alienware forums...and that's what we do!

 

If I were to grab a GTX 660m for this machine to replace my 6870m would it work?

In addition, would I need to do anything to the thermal pads? I've not replaced a laptop GPU before.

I'm asking about a 660m because of issues I've had with the 6870m in my machine and have no desire to get another, plus the 660m isnt terribly expensive.

 

Not sure about the 660m, but I've been told the 680ms are incredibly stable. The downside to that is they are pretty expensive. If you were to replace the GPU, then yes, you should get new thermal paste and pads for it. I went with Arctic Silver 5 (only good paste Fry's sells), and Fujipoly thermal pads (they came highly recommended). Look around the forums to see if anyone has had any problems with upgrading to the 660m. Its a fair bet that some people have upgraded to that GPU so there's bound to be someone out there who can answer.

 

I wouldn't grab a 660m as Its not much faster than what you have now. Your better off looking for a 6990m or something along those lines.