Question about the upgradability of the M17X r3

Hi guys,
Seeing as mine is currently on order (and who knows when I'll when it'll arrive thanks to the sandybridge issue! - but that's another topic...) I want to know as much as I can about the upgradability of my new r3.

Traditionally I understand that most laptops are nowhere near as upgradable as desktops but alienware laptops are quite customisable. In particular, I know already that I can upgrade both my RAM and HDD (which I aim to do to an SSD).

However, my laptop will come with the 460M and the 2630QM so I would like to know exactly how upgradable are the processor and the graphics module? Also, what are my limits at present with each?

 

Actually most laptops allow you to upgrade RAM and HDD.

Yes you can upgrade the GPU and the processor very easily. Problem is that Dell must support the GPU, for it to work, so you can only upgrade to GPU's that Dell sells.

 

Not 100% true, you are only guaranteed to be able to use the gpu/cpu's that are supported by the BIOS, usually there are more GPU's and sometimes more CPU's with BIOS support than the ones Dell currently sells though. You can try just about any card that is of the same MXM slot type and is 100w or less but there's absolutely no guarantee it will work unless it is a Dell issued 460m or 6870

 

^ ...or 6970m

 

There's no guarantee that the 6970 has any currently implemented support either, I couldn't find any BIOS file info to check what is currently supported so there are no guarantees that it may require a BIOS update to support it too

 

When I checked the European AW site a couple of days before the "sandy bridge disaster" the 6970m was available for the M17x R3... so it should work...??

 

How does one go about upgrading the fans/heatsinks/aluminum/copperpipes?

Is that possible as well?

Also, does doing any of these "upgrades" void warranty (up to and including repasting)?

 

The MXM standard has defined a layout for the card which means that you should be able to use the same heatsink for another card (with the same MXM type)

But if you order a card from Dell they might even include a new heatsink, I don't know for sure though.
(When you get a card from another seller, for example Eurocom, they will usually include the heatsink, but it obviously won't work as it is designed for a different system)

I have never heard anyone here reporting that a technician complained about an upgraded CPU, GPU or repasting... you should be fine with doing this.

However if you upgrade something yourself you have to make sure you do it properly, including knowing exactly what you have to do (preparation), proper tools and ESD-protection.

 

As well as many other sites. I talked to a Dell rep before the Intel issue and he said it should be out within the next couple of days, and that they have it in stock just not on their site. But that was from a Dell rep so who knows.

There are plenty of guides online on how to replace your GPU. Mandrake already has a video of him swapping out the 460m with a 5870M - which didn't work. Just make sure it's supported, ask around before you buy the card.

The only known cards to work in the m17X at the moment are:

460M
6870M
6970M

 

Is this an option? All I see on the Dell website under laptop accessories is replacement batteries/chargers for the Alienware series laptops, would I have to order over the phone for components? I ask because if the M17X r3 ever supports it, I would like to upgrade my 460M to a 485M

 

Yes, you have to call them. And if the first guy won't sell it just call again.
485m support would be great, but the card is really expensive... 6970m gives more performance for the buck.