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    Mod Graphics Amplifier for earlier Alienware 17 models?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by beardzerker, Jan 28, 2015.

  1. beardzerker

    beardzerker Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am VERY interested in the graphics amplifier, would it be possible to mod an R5 and get it working? I don't have much interest in selling my current 17 and getting the new one, I am very happy with my laptop. Anyone know much about doing this? I know that there is a proprietary port on the new machines, just curious if it could be rigged up on the R5.
     
    beardzerker, Jan 28, 2015
    #1
  2. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    I have looked into this, while I have not gotten my hands on the inner workings of a new 17, Im not sure how they do it.

    But, there are 3 ways that come to mind on how to do this.

    1: mxm to docking port adapter. This would be the worst way as you would loose your gpu and have to use either the intel gpu, or the GA.
    2: mcie adapter. They make mpcie to pcie x1 adapters that would plug into the wifi port on the laptop.
    3: rig up something with the DMC slot on the 17.
     
    ejohnson, Jan 28, 2015
    #2
  3. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    You are likely best off upgrading the internal for the sake of keeping it portable and not needing to do any driver mods/crazy physical modding.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jan 28, 2015
    #3
  4. beardzerker

    beardzerker Notebook Enthusiast

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    My machine moves around with me throughout the week, and it is plenty powerful for my daily use. When I am at home, I have a very nice desktop monitor, keyboard, and mouse setup that I use. Having a sort of 'dock' for all that and just have one cord to plug into the laptop is incredibly appealing to me.

    I haven't looked into upgrading the internals into much detail, when I did the prices were nearly as much as replacing the whole machine. My preference would be to get the graphics amplifier up and running, that would suit my needs quite well for now and into the future. Is there a place where I can purchase an upgraded GPU for the 17? For the performance gains/cost it doesn't really seem all that worth it.
     
    beardzerker, Jan 29, 2015
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  5. socal87

    socal87 Notebook Enthusiast

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    The Graphics Amplifier uses a proprietary connection, which seems to be a PCIe/USB combo, on the back of the new Alienware laptops. It is yet to be determined how many PCIe lanes, but it seems to be at least x4, possibly x8. So, there's no way to use it with any legacy models.

    As for possibilities...ejohnson is closest to the mark; MXM is a PCIe interconnect, and I believe there are MXM breakout cards available, so some sort of solution using the MXM slot and a custom rig with a full size PCIe slot as well as power would probably work best.
     
    socal87, Feb 28, 2015
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  6. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    The GA uses a x4 PCI cable (there is no if it is or if it isn't; it is x4).
    I guess you can call it a PCI/USB combo in the sense that the PCI cable plugs up like a USB cable, but that's as much USB as it is.
     
    Game7a1, Feb 28, 2015
    #6
  7. GodlikeRU

    GodlikeRU Notebook Deity

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    You can't upgrade gpu in new 17. It's soldered to the motherboard.
     
    GodlikeRU, Feb 28, 2015
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  8. socal87

    socal87 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Seeing as the Graphics Amplifier carries 4 USB ports, I would assume that the connection does include USB.
     
    socal87, Feb 28, 2015
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  9. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    It either piggy backs the PCI-E lanes or includes them in the cable, likely the latter for the sake of bandwidth.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Feb 28, 2015
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  10. toto29620

    toto29620 Notebook Consultant

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    You can use e-gpu with express card 54 adaptater, it work pretty good. You just have to plug in the adaptateur and a usb hub for your mouse/keyboard. If you use an external monitor you will have more bandwitch as the video signal does not transit via the adaptateur.
     
    toto29620, Mar 1, 2015
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  11. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    There are two PCI slots in the GA (1 x16, 1 x4? Can't really tell, but it's smaller than the x16 one), and the USB Hub occupies the smaller one.
    I'm guessing one could get more GPU power if one took off the USB hub.
     
    Game7a1, Mar 3, 2015
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  12. Alienware-Wasserman

    Alienware-Wasserman Company Representative

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    Now that's a heavy ordeal you're wanting to venture into, not to mention bold.
    Personally, I wouldn't recommend it.
    Aside from all the chassis re-modelling and wiring you'd have to do.
    I'm not sure if the Fn+F5 to change from one graphics card to another will work on the Old Alienware 17 if you're able to connect the Graphics Amplifier.
    You might have to also tinker with the software in order to make it possible.

    I wish you best of luck and if you DO manage to get this done please share the story.
     
    Alienware-Wasserman, Mar 4, 2015
    #12
  13. Ramzay

    Ramzay Notebook Connoisseur

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    I would just wait and see if all the feedback they're getting will prompt them to modify the next generation of AW machines. Essentially at least go back to the AW17 R1 and then add the GA plug to that. Then I'd buy a new AW, since I was also interested in the GA.

    But in all seriousness, the GA is mostly there because they not only got rid of SLI, they also got rid of MXM GPUs.

    There really would be not much need for the GA with MXM SLI setups, as the all-in cost of the GA+GPU is more than the cost of a laptop GPU upgrade.
     
    Ramzay, Mar 4, 2015
    #13