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    Questions about upgrading my R3

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Zerophoenix, Aug 10, 2011.

  1. Zerophoenix

    Zerophoenix Notebook Enthusiast

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    Alright guys, I had recently been interested in selling my m17x and purchasing a killer desktop system and also getting a tablet for school use. After a good deal of thought and input from users of these forums I have decided to just keep my Alienware. It is a pretty decent system and I don't have anything to really tax a high end gaming rig just yet.

    Instead, I have decided to start pouring some upgrades into the notebook but I am not sure what the best performance increases would be nor price/performance ratios.

    I have the 1600x900 60Hz screen
    i-7 2630QM processor 2.0GHz
    8GB DDR3 1333 RAM
    320GB HD 3Gb/s
    GTX460m GPU
    Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 network card

    I was thinking of a video card replacement and possibly upgrading the network card to the Killer 1130(I think that is right?) Anything I have missed or comments/thoughts would be very greatly appreciated. :)
     
    Zerophoenix, Aug 10, 2011
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  2. maxtek

    maxtek Notebook Consultant

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    Upgrading your gpu should be a breeze, as for the network card you're gonna have to think carefully whether you are going to utilize it that much.

    It is after all, just as good reception and quality as your Intel-N, only the network prioritizing software makes a difference. Also, if you're gonna game via wired networks then it doesn't make much of a difference.

    I haven't seen anyone upgrade the screens yet, but last I checked there are interests in upgrading to 120Hz here on NBR.
     
    maxtek, Aug 10, 2011
    #2
  3. SpiralTrance

    SpiralTrance Notebook Geek

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    Do you have to send your alienwares back to factory to get them upgraded or can you buy the parts and do it yourself like on a desktop?
     
    SpiralTrance, Aug 10, 2011
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  4. ewitte12

    ewitte12 Notebook Evangelist

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    Everything is very easy to replace. There are actually more steps to populate slot 3/4 for memory.
     
    ewitte12, Aug 10, 2011
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  5. Tapakidney

    Tapakidney Notebook Evangelist

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    Upgrading the wireless would be a silly waste of your money.

    GPU would be a good idea. I'd wait until you can get it for like $300 or something though... Basically the biggest difficulty you will face installing the GPU is the repasting.
     
    Tapakidney, Aug 10, 2011
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  6. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Screen and GPU.
     
    Brabostaan, Aug 10, 2011
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  7. maxtek

    maxtek Notebook Consultant

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    You don't have to send your laptop back to the factory. Most of the upgrades you can do on your own, you just need those tiny screwdriver sets, the parts and lotsa patience.
     
    maxtek, Aug 10, 2011
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  8. Zerophoenix

    Zerophoenix Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok so the wireless is a waste. Thanks for that info guys, I didn't know how much of a difference the killer network card would make. So the general consensus is that the best upgrades would be new video, obviously and the better resolution screen. Also, how beneficial would a better hard drive be? Can I put a SSD in here with a data drive in a Raid config or no?

    Edit: Almost forgot, what video card should I be looking at? The 460 works for now but by next fall I will be wanting something with more power.
     
    Zerophoenix, Aug 10, 2011
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  9. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    580M is the best NVIDIA card right now, if you are waiting something better should be out by then, we will see :)
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 10, 2011
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  10. Tapakidney

    Tapakidney Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, SSD is an excellent idea. No, you can't raid an SSD with your 320GB 7200. HDs have to be the same size, specs, etc.

    I recommend a 120/128GB SSD at least, depending on your budget, and recommend either Crucial or Intel.

    ANd if you're willing to wait, wait for what comes out next in AMD or Nvidia - then the 580m will be a lot cheaper, or the newest will be a lot faster :)
     
    Tapakidney, Aug 10, 2011
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  11. SpiralTrance

    SpiralTrance Notebook Geek

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    Do you buy the components from alienware?
     
    SpiralTrance, Aug 11, 2011
    #11