M17xR1 upgrade options?

I opened my M17xR1 to clear out a major clog of dust that was causing my computer to overheat and shut off. While I was in there, I noticed I only have one GTX 260M and I was wondering what I could do to upgrade my system on the cheap side since anything that would be compatible would have to older anyway and I'd like to put it in SLI.

I also thought about upgrading RAM and CPU if at all possible. What kinds of upgrades could I do to this machine if any?

 

you could use search string " upgrade m17 r1"

That could put you in here perhaps also here perhaps also here or here and more

 

All those links seem geared for an older pre-Dell M17 laptop, mine is a Dell Alienware M17x R1 and my system specs are in my signature.

 

EDIT: Whoops double post.

 

5870m crossfire is your strongest reliable upgrade path. All else are experiments. You may get them to work, or you may not. If you don't want a gigantic performance increment I can sell you a 285M (MXM 3.0b slot), and maybe you could use your 260m as a dedicated physx card or something, or you can try to stick something nice in it. I also have a 670mx, but there's no guarantee at all that it will work in your machine (I haven't found any evidence of anyone having tried a kepler chip inside the machine) but at the same time, there's no guarantee it wouldn't work. However, you would have to make sure the heatsink is properly seated, making good contact, etc.

So for example, you may be able to stick a 670mx inside (like the one I have for sale, heh) or a 680m, but you would have to take the chance on it not working, possibly having to return it, etc. Some sellers will allow you to test for compatibility and return it if it doesn't work.

 

I see that some of the links was pre dell. Sorry for that.
Still a search in the library from the search area on upper right could give you answers what has beeen done before.

Guess a CPU upgrade is not out of the question? And also a PSU upgrade if you dont have a 240W that you probably need for crossfire/sli.

Or you could go better and do an experiment like Sangemaru suggests.

Ive read you can also swap everything and make cloes to R2 out of it, but not sure its worth the hassle.

 

Cheaper to get an R2. It's not just the mobo that needs to be switched, but also heatsinks, CPU and some internal frame elements.

 

I think someone tried 480/485M into an R1 and it didn't work. It might be more cost efficient to buy an R2 motherboard, buy a quad core i7 and get modern MXM 3.0B GPU's. Of course that would almost equate to a new laptop (820QM ~ 90, R2 motherboard 250, misc crap for conversion 60, cost of a modern GPU ~450-500 for like a 680M, used 6970/6990M is like 200-300).

Best GPU for R1 is 285M SLI or 5870M Crossfire, but you are pretty much handcuffed beyond that. That and the R1 is capped at 8 GB RAM, he would also want to buy a Core 2 Quad/Extreme to replace the Core 2 Duo so it doesn't bottleneck the GPUs. R1 just aren't worth really upgrading..

 

M17X R1 maximum upgrades on the original motherboard: QX9300 cpu, 8GB 1333MHz Ram (4GB each stick), 5870M Crossfire, 1200p RGB LED screen. My R1 is at the maximum upgrade options available for it with the original motherboard. Don't consider going the NVidia option with GPU upgrades, the maximum that you can put in is 285M SLI, and that would be the same price as the 5870M Crossfire, but the 5870M has way more power than the 285M.

You can however swap the original R1 motherboard for the R2 motherboard and can then put in: i7 940XM, 16GB Ram, 7970M Crossfire.

Personally however, the best route would be to sell your R1 and buy an R2, you have more upgrade options and in the end it would end up costing you the same if you went ahead and fully maximized he potential of the R1.

 

I don't know but look on ebay for R4's.. I managed to get one for half the price of a new M17x R5 and its epic... Personally, although it is a single card, its more than enough...

 

Basically, this.
560m has been put in and works, but the fans don't spin on and the laptop display will not work. If I recall it would do VGA only. It was a bizarre test and I can't find the old thread on it.

I had an M17x with 260m SLI and a p8600 c2d. I upgraded to the QX9300, 8gb ram, and 5870 crossfire. This was a decent set up for a while, but it aged quick. It was fun to install everything and very easy. I ended up selling it and buying an R3. The R3 was a horrific choice so I traded that and cash for an M18x. The M18x line is the 'true' follow up to the R1 and R2 and I highly suggest getting one. The later M17x the R3 and R4 are considerably more disappointing if you've used the R1/2. The alloy frame, production quality, etc.