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    Well damn!

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Huniken, Jun 20, 2011.

  1. Huniken

    Huniken Notebook Evangelist

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    Hello all. I just purchased a new Alienware M17X10 R2.

    Specs:
    Core i7 820QM
    8GB DDR3 RAM
    Crossfire HD 4870s
    1440X900 RES monitor
    2X500GB HDD in RAID-0 (7,400RPM)

    I bought it and didn't knew about the R3, at least I heard that the R3 doesn't have Aluminum case lol It cost me 2,700~$ in US currency. I know it can be had cheaper in USA but I'm from the middle east, somewhere nearby Dubai (This is where my unit was shipped to actually) so I had to pay the premium prize for it *shrugs*

    Anyways, The specs are good enough for me, but I plan on upgrading to the extreme side when the warranty ends by next year in June! :D

    CPU: I want to know if I can actually use the Core i7 2920XM on my R2, is the motherboard having the same socket that it requires?
    Intel® Core? i7-2920XM Processor Extreme Edition (8M Cache, 2.50 GHz)with SPEC Code(s)SR02E
    Here it is says "FCPGA988" but my 820QM use "PGA988" is the FC code referring to a different socket for the CPU?!! :confused:

    GPU: And as it goes for the GPU, what about the ATI 6970? Can I use it on my R2 or I still need BIOS for it to make it work? Can I get it 2 of them to be in Cross fire configuration?

    RAM: I know the 820QM can support up to 8GB of RAM, if I get that 2920XM can I upgrade to 16GB of RAM?

    HDD: Can I use 2 SSD drives without problems or is there a BIOS update needed to use them? I can't remember well but I was reading someone's thread in here about him Installing SSDs to his M17 but had problems...

    Monitor: Finally I want a better monitor, I feel like an Idiot having this 1444X900 screen on my M17R2.

    I will have deep pockets by then to upgrade my R2 for sure :cool:
    Thank you all for your time.
     
    Huniken, Jun 20, 2011
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  2. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    Short answer is no. Different socket. Now you can upgrade to the 920XM or 940XM. The 2720QM, 2820QM. and 2920XM will not work in the R2. The GPU and screen can be upgraded. Not sure if the 6970 will work in the R2. My advice is if you're gonna be doing all this, save your money. Sale your R2 and buy an R3 or M18x.
     
    pmassey31545, Jun 20, 2011
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  3. Huniken

    Huniken Notebook Evangelist

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    Ah I see. The R3 is not an option, I will go for the mother ship then, the M18! I'm greedy, I will save my money, get the best CPU and GPU combo out of it. I liked the 4.0 overclock offer, but what are we gonna have by next year of this time I wonder :D
     
    Huniken, Jun 20, 2011
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