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.

    Video Card on m17x

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Terrablade, Oct 23, 2014.

  1. Terrablade

    Terrablade Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    37
    Messages:
    472
    Likes Received:
    128
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Unfortunately Im not too savvy about this so I came to the best place for some help. I ot an Alienware 17x the first edition. Ive read that I can not use other video cards asi from the gtx 260 and 280m which is the one I have, Dual at 2mb each. My problem? I can not play new games because it doesnt support DX 11.
    I dont want to buy the new m18x because of some issues I got with it like the you can have only 1 color and the design I hate it.

    So is there another Card I can install here? Will it be fully functional?
    Please I need help.
     
    Terrablade, Oct 23, 2014
    #1
  2. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    3,700
    Messages:
    8,323
    Likes Received:
    3,820
    Trophy Points:
    431
    The Alienware M17x R1 (OLD) cannot be upgraded to newer GPU's. Sorry mate, but you'll have to move on. That system is very old.

    Try checking eBay for refurbished machines.
     
    J.Dre, Oct 24, 2014
    #2
  3. maxslo

    maxslo undefined

    Reputations:
    237
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    245
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Depends, do you have Dell M17x R1, or pre-dell one?

    The Dell M17x R1 looks just as M17x R2, but the Pre-dell version is different.

    Anyway, if you have Dell M17x R1 you can Upgrade to 5870M single or Crossfire, but that's the maximum upgrade for R1 and the only possibile one that will give you DX11.

    Other option is 4780 single or CF, but that wouldn't be upgrade enough to justify the expense in my opinion. (20-30% if you have 260M SLI, and about 0-5% if you have 280M SLI)
     
    maxslo, Oct 24, 2014
    #3
  4. Terrablade

    Terrablade Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    37
    Messages:
    472
    Likes Received:
    128
    Trophy Points:
    56
    got this one in 2009. I guess this is the pre-dell one?
     
    Terrablade, Oct 24, 2014
    #4
  5. maxslo

    maxslo undefined

    Reputations:
    237
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    245
    Trophy Points:
    56
    maxslo, Oct 25, 2014
    #5
  6. Terrablade

    Terrablade Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    37
    Messages:
    472
    Likes Received:
    128
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Terrablade, Oct 25, 2014
    #6
  7. maxslo

    maxslo undefined

    Reputations:
    237
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    245
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Yeah i know you don't have the i5/i7 :D, but the outside looks matters, well i guess you have the dell one.

    You can upgrade to max 5870M Crossfire
     
    maxslo, Oct 25, 2014
    #7
  8. Terrablade

    Terrablade Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    37
    Messages:
    472
    Likes Received:
    128
    Trophy Points:
    56
    but the outside are both the same ( your link and my laptop )..
    i dont want to buy that card and then be like, oh it doesnt work/fit :/
     
    Terrablade, Oct 25, 2014
    #8
  9. Terrablade

    Terrablade Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    37
    Messages:
    472
    Likes Received:
    128
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Also do you have a link where to get one. Google aint helping.
     
    Terrablade, Oct 25, 2014
    #9
  10. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    3,700
    Messages:
    8,323
    Likes Received:
    3,820
    Trophy Points:
    431
    The only cards compatible with your system (as it currently sits) are going to perform the same as the cards you have in it now.

    Have you considered swapping to an R2 motherboard? If you do this, you will have SLI/Crossfire capability, and that should allow you to use up to a GTX 680M.
     
    J.Dre, Oct 25, 2014
    #10
  11. Terrablade

    Terrablade Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    37
    Messages:
    472
    Likes Received:
    128
    Trophy Points:
    56
    All i want is to be able to play the new games that require DX 11. Thats why i want to go the cheapest route and just wait for an upgrade of the 18x if it ever comes to buy it!
     
    Terrablade, Oct 25, 2014
    #11