Sell or Upgrade M17x-R3

I recently traded my m18x-R1 for an M17x-R3 + cash. From which I have seller's remorse.

I like the m17x, but want some more horsepower.

M17x I received is:

2760QM
4x2gb DDR3 1600mhz
128gb SSD
750gb HDD
GTX 580m
1080p panel 60hz,
Killer Nic
DVD/RW

I've been looking at installing a 7970m for price reasons over a 680m.

It seems most people have little trouble with the installation of these cards But I have noticed some issues:

7970m screen dim issue when trying to use the enduro feature. I really do use my notebook quite a bit on battery. I really liked the m18x's ability to disable GPUs all together.
Is there anything else I should be aware of? I intend to purchase a Dell card for sure.

What are the disadvantages(other than price) of going to something like a 680m in an R3?

I've tried reading through the threads but there are mounds of info, and not much concise lists of advantages and disadvantages.

Which card retains most use of graphics switching capabilities?

As a side note, the other option is a desktop build and buying a lower power notebook with slightly better battery life. Or getting a relatively stock m17 or a Clevo 17" after selling the m17x I have. My budget would be about $1100 + what ever I can get for the m17x.

Thanks!

 

If you slap a 680M/780M in there it will perform like a current gen machine really.

 

Is slapping the new gpu in their all that is required? is a 680m or 780m the better upgrade option over the 7970m?

 

For both 680m/780m you need to flash BIOS A12 - unlocked & 'SATA fix disable IGPU / set Display to PEG and edit the drivers .inf file Alienware M17x-R3 GTX 680M installation

 

I read through parts of that thread. There is no way to get these newer GPUs to work with optiums? are they not supported? my hesitation about the upgrade is that I do use the notebook on battery and would like to maintain some of that.

It sounds like there is no major advantage over the 7970 from the 680, other than the potential for some screen dimming issues.

I appreciate the help so far!

 

You can't game on battery at all so what do you use the computer the most for?

 

I don't game on the battery and don't expect to be able to, but I like to be able to set the machine up, and game on it with my external monitor, keyboard and mouse, but I also like to be able to run it on battery when i'm not gaming. I loved being able to totally disable on the dedicated GPUs in my m18x and run it on batter for 4 hours or so if I needed. No need to be running the dedicated card if all I am doing is surfing the web.

I'm trying to avoid building a gaming desktop if I don't have to and use this laptop for both purposes. Hence why I thought it might be a better option to try to sell the notebook and get something with a card meant for it, so all of the features that you lose upgrading an older notebook function properly.

I haven't had much luck selling the notebook, thus this thread. I wanted some opinions on what is the better option. It seems as though I can get a pretty decent performance upgrade easily, if I am willing to spend the money ($400-800) and give up some of the battery life saving features the notebook has now.

It may just be a better option for me to build the desktop and keep this laptop in its current configuration as I have done in the past.

 

I would suggest the brand new machine but also upgrading could be enough. I guess it all depends on you.

 

With the case of the alienware the new system will cost a lot lol, the notebook does have a lot of potential left in it.

 

It does have potential, appears to run BF3 pretty well, though having not gamed since February... I am terrible. LOL

I want to be able to run BF4 on the highest settings I can, and Im sure being a generation old, even the 680 and 7970 will have some trouble with that, and again there is the battery life issue with Optimus disabled...

To be honest if I sell this notebook, I will likely go to a Clevo 17" with an 8970 or 780m in it for the latest gen horsepower, plus the base pricing seems lower. I feel like the m17 pricing is a bit higher than it used to be? might just be the overall hardware package that is included, but its more than I care to spend. I mean $2300 for an m17 package but doesn't have a 780m in it? seems pricey to me. I know they are negotiable if you call, but I had an R4 ordered last year with a 7970m in it for $2000 WITH 2 year warranty.

 

Like I've said in PM, you can get enduro almost 90% working. You will just need to restart if you want to switch from the iGPU to the 7970m. Switching from the 7970m to the iGPU will not require a restart.

If you end up wanting to spend more and go for the newer gen, then go with the 780m. The 8970m is just an over locked 7970m from what I've heard.

 

Hey I was in the same boat with a 6990m though and liked to have the igpu for web and videos, i got a 7970m on ebay for 200 quid and it games like a god.

but also it clocks down just running 7970m and i get around 3 hours web and 2.5 hrs if im watching a movie. perfeect compromise i felt as im never far from a power outlet.

weight it up, if u like the machine but just want more grunt and not the big budget upgrade ur gpu... u could probably sell the 580 and the upgrade will be even cheaper.

so easy to install and after you re paste and then get the feel and want to repaste the cpu too its amazing what u turn your laptop into dell paste was shocking.