Recommended CPU/GPU upgrades for M17x R3?

Hi,

I'm looking into upgrading my M17x R3, specifically CPU and GPU.

Current specs
CPU Core i7-2670QM
GPU Geforce GTX 580M, with Optimus, no 3D screen

What should I buy (and where)? 29x0XM and 880M...?

Any issues to expect? Optimus? HDMI audio?

How difficult is the install? Unlocked BIOS and custom drivers? New thermal pads and heatsink?

Thanks!

 

Hi there,

First the 880m is a poor card and has given users an endless stream of problems so strike one. The 780m is a good chip although overclocking is a little limited by the fact it runs a fair bit warmer than the 680m. Also the 780m does mess with the audio on the R3 and needs some messing around with disabling and re-enabling/driver installing at a critical point in the installation. Strike two.

I had the 580m R3 and this was replaced by the R4 in my sig. The 680m is always my recommendation for the R3. Great performance boost over the 580/675m and loads of room for overclocking and overvolting.

Whatever you go for you will need the unlocked BIOS to set the iGPU as primary and loose optimus. Also a modified driver file to allow the driver install to complete.

Physically the install is very easy. 7 screws in total and you have the card and heatsink out of the machine. You can reuse the 580m heatsink and bracket/pads but the easiest way by far is to buy the R4 680m heatsink from dell (around $25usd, £25GBP). Also aim to get a new x-bracket with the card as there can be minute differences in the contact pressure.

The new heatsink comes with all the pads and paste in-place so no research on position or thickness' needed . BUT people have had problems getting them from dell. I got mine about 4 months ago and was a simple call .

The 975m/980m have yet to be proven to work at all in any AW from what I have seen - but hopefully the answer will be soon!

680m heatsink as delivered from Dell:
View attachment 117293
Pad layout from Eurocom (worth checking out their offerings ): http://downloads.eurocom.com/support/drivers/zip/Alienware/6xxm/680M thermal pad placement.jpg

Ebay for the card and don't be concerned about 4gb or 2gb models. They all work and there is not much that uses the extra memory (only a couple of the latest games are pre-loading textures) and if it's on an SSD the loading overhead is undetectable, as far as I can tell. 4gb cards usually come with a Clevo vbios but as far as I'm aware this is actually better than the Dell one as it does not limit the overclock to +135mhz. Fixable easily on the Dell vbios.

I can't advise on CPU as I've never wanted to do it.

Good luck.

 

2920XM or 2960XM, OEM versions if you can afford. ES versions work too, but may run a little warmer. Ebay or the forum is the best source for those.

 

Thanks for the replies!

680M you say, but is it really a big enough upgrade? I was thinking at least 780M or 870M/880M... The 680M is almost 2½ years old already. Room for OC/OV is not a must.
Edit: ~50% average increase 680M vs 580M, according to Anandtech

What are the issues with 880M?

I don't care much about losing HDMI audio if that's the only issue. But will I really loose Optimus no matter what I upgrade too?

 

It is a serious upgrade from the 580m. I run all my games on max without any problems. The OC put's it in the 780m performance league without the extra heat or hassle (audio) but your call . Strangely it's not HDMI audio but the onboard! Just read one R3 owner went for a 780m and his audio is fine so maybe you get lucky. It was reported by a lot of 780m/R3 owners when the card first hit the streets but maybe it's been fixed .

The 880m is running too hot and even when temps are under control it throttles back so it performs worse that a 780m This is what I have seen in the complaints thread.

Enjoy: http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...xperiencing-problems-880m-list-them-here.html

 

The 2960XM is definitely the best CPU choice.

I'd grab either a 680M or 780M. Probably a 780M because it has more VRAM and will outlast the 680M, and they're approximately the same price on eBay (within about $100).

 

I would say 970m when people make it work in the near future.

 

Looks like I should stay away from the 880M.

Got a link to the successful 780M install?

But whatever I choose I'll have to permanently disable Optimus? Or just during install?