Upgrading M17 Alienware

Sorry I'm new, and I'm sure you guys get an abundance of these type of post.

What all can I upgrade in my laptop? I got it back January.

Current Specs:
I7 - 2670QM CPU @ 2.2 GHZ
DirectX Card: AMD 6870 Radeon HD
8 Gigs of DDR3 Ram


Mainly wanting to upgrade my processor and graphics card. Is this possible with a laptop? If so where would I go to buy the parts? Because newegg/tiger direct I can't seem to find them.

Along with that, is there instructional guides that have step by step on how to do it? Because I'm sure with a laptop it's a lot more complicated.

I basically want a lot more performance and be able to run BF3/GW2 and other games I play on max settings.

 

You can upgrade the processor but it probably wont change performance in games much. Only in CPU intense games will you notice a difference. As for the GPU, there are threads on upgrading the m17x R3 with a 7970m. That is more than enough power to max out BF3.

 

Where would I go to buy the 7970m?

 

You could check ebay, the NBR Market, or call Dell.

 

there are numerous places you can go to buy it, like ebay or order it straight from dell

1(877)717-3355 (ask for part number 747M2, make sure they say it is the amd 7970m mobile graphics card, not the 3 gb ddr5 amd 7970 desktop card) NOTE: this is not a kit only the card, other parts are extra.

you can also buy it from upgradeyour laptop ebay store, they sell a kit with the 7970m, I think it includes everything needed for installation except thermal paste.

AMD Radeon HD7970M (WimbledonXT) MXM 3.0b 2GB GDDR5 - Upgrade Kit for Alienware | eBay
this is the item with the kit (this card is specifically tested by them for alienware laptops)

EDIT: sorry upgrade your laptop includes thermal paste, but they dont include vga heatsink (will most likely need a new one as nvidia and amd heatsinks differ).

 

Ok before I buy it. Is it a huge and noticeable upgrade over the 6870?

On top of that, do you recommend any cooling platforms for the Alienware m17x r3? I have a standard one, but I still notice my laptop getting hot from time to time.

And how hard is it to install?

 

I am not exactly sure how the 6870m performs but I think it would be a good difference as the 7970m is one of the top mobile cards on the market currently (still not sure though, never seen benchmarks from the 6870m, so i think you should research more).

For a portable cooling platform I recommend the Cooler Master NotePal U3 laptop cooling pad, I use this and it is a good cheap way to reduce gpu and cpu temps by a few degrees.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-mobility-7970-m17x-r3-illustrated-guide.html
this guide shows installing a 7970m in an m17xr3, I am not sure on difficulty as I have not done it, but it may be hard for your first time. I think upgradeyourlaptop also includes instruction on installing it, not sure though you may want to message or call them. also if ordering from dell make sure you have appropriate parts.

 

7970m is a HUGE upgrade over the 6870m. Maybe 2-3x the performance.

 

Sweet. AMD Radeon HD7970M (WimbledonXT) MXM 3.0b 2GB GDDR5 - Upgrade Kit for Alienware | eBay

Will I have to buy anything extra? Or is that everything I need there? I'm not going to overclock or anything.

 

I think that's a little steep. You may be able to get it cheaper from Dell.

 

Tried contacting dell..
They won't sell it too me.