The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    R3 and R4 Don't have Dual GPU option?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Matthew1993, Mar 1, 2013.

  1. Matthew1993

    Matthew1993 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    114
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hello I wonder does R3 and R4 have dual gpu option? or only r1 and r2 supports sli or crossfire?
     
    Matthew1993, Mar 1, 2013
    #1
  2. jiggymf

    jiggymf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    215
    Messages:
    501
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Nope, not gonna happen in the R3 or R4.
    Only R1 and R2 are capable of dual GPU's. After the R2 Alienware launched the M18x with dual GPU capabilities, and removed dual GPU from the M17x.

    Having that said (assuming you ask because you are looking to maybe buy an R3 or R4 to upgrade), there are really powerfull setups available in the R3 and R4, where you have just one single GPU, but a bloody fast one (7970m, GTX 680m).

    Now you know why some of us decided to stick with an R2 with RGB LED and upgrade it instead of switching to the R3 or R4 :)
     
    jiggymf, Mar 1, 2013
    #2
  3. Matthew1993

    Matthew1993 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    114
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Well i have R1 and tommorow probably im going to buy from a friend R3 which hasn't been used so much. It's in great condition with HD 6990m that card is awesome? :)
     
    Matthew1993, Mar 1, 2013
    #3
  4. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

    Reputations:
    3,658
    Messages:
    6,874
    Likes Received:
    969
    Trophy Points:
    281
    jiggymf is right, a single 680m has an amazing performance compared to any other config you might need.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Mar 1, 2013
    #4
  5. jiggymf

    jiggymf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    215
    Messages:
    501
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Not particularly awesome no, but nevertheless, a nice little upgrade to what you have now

    And having that said, what is awesome depends on what you are used to. For one it's a wickedly fast card, for another who's used to top of the line dual GPU's, it's rubbish.

    I think in your situation compared to what you have now, GPU wise it's a bit faster then you have now, but not leagues ahead. So it also depends a bit of the rest of the system :)
    Maybe try it out first if it matches what you expect from it?
     
    jiggymf, Mar 1, 2013
    #5
  6. Matthew1993

    Matthew1993 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    114
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Tommorow I will get R3 with HD 6990m is that card really good? According to benchmarks i think it is?
     
    Matthew1993, Mar 1, 2013
    #6
  7. Matthew1993

    Matthew1993 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    114
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    well R1 is kinda old and very limited with upgrades. So I need a good DX 11 card. I played BF3 on that r3 and it run everything on max without any problems , which I think that is enough. Also R3 can also support GTX 680m?
     
    Matthew1993, Mar 1, 2013
    #7
  8. jiggymf

    jiggymf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    215
    Messages:
    501
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    If you tested it, and it felt right for what you want to do with it, go for it!

    Yes, R3 can be upgraded with GTX 680m :)
     
    jiggymf, Mar 1, 2013
    #8
  9. Matthew1993

    Matthew1993 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    114
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Thank you for your help I'll stick with HD 6990m for now. The most important thing for me is now that i have a good DX 11 card. Because when new ps4 launch worldwide there might be possibility that all games will be DX 11 only as Crysis 3 , so me with DX 10 card will get in dead road
     
    Matthew1993, Mar 1, 2013
    #9