What Are My Options? (M17xR2)

So i currently own a M17x R2 and i'm wondering what my current Options are if i want to upgrade the Parts? Just looking it over, i'm thinking the only thing i can upgrade would be the CPU, Harddrive, and Wireless Card, Where the Wireless card would be the Intel Ultimate Wireless N or something along those lines, with a 2TB Harddrive Running at 7,200 RPM, but what about the CPU? What are my options there? i also want to upgrade my LCD screen, but i don't think they sell Aftermarket LCD's. Any Help Greatly Appreciated

 

The CPU could definitely be upgraded, your best bet there is an ES/QS 920/940xm from eBay. The screen can be upgraded as well but the RGBLED screens are a bit difficult to find and most of them are $1k+ when you do find them. The HDD's aren't worth upgrading to another standard hdd IMO, your best bet is to either leave them or go to an SSD with a 500gb or larger HDD as a data drive.

 

Thanks for the tip, but upgrading from a Q740 to a 940xm doesn't increase the processing much does it? and the costs of the CPU is around 4-5 Hundred ,even with Overclocking, i don't think the Processing power will increase that much. isn't there another alternative besides the 940xm or is that Tier 1? As for the harddrive, i don't think i need more than 1TB of space so i'll leave it as is.

 

LOL, the 940xm when coupled with TStop and some well planned/executed overclocking will blow the 740 out of the water as if it wasn't there. The 740 is an entry level quad core mobile chip, the 940xm when OC'd is a upper end(not top, but upper) desktop cpu level of power.

 

blow the 740 out of the water lol. I know the 940 is really fast but what is the really difference compare with 740 , window boot up speed? fast loading etc?

 

Games like BFBC2 and GTA IV will run at 60fps versus 25-35 fps. Quad core and running at 3.5ghz or higher on all 4 cores will BLOW THE 740 OUT OF THE WATER. Programs that use CPU power for encoding, rendering or other cpu intensive tasks will be much faster and more responsive. If you can swing it the best thing is get an awesome RGB or IPS external monitor, 920xm ES, and 120-128gb SSD.

 

Wait, if the 940xm only Tier 2...then what's at the Top? Assuming we're using the Same Chipset for the M17x R2 Motherboard?

 

The reason they say the 940XM is not the top CPU, is because the new sandy bridge CPUs are much more efficient. The 2920XM will definately beat the 920XM at least at stock clocks. We don't know yet what the overclocked abilities are. But as far as the M17x R2 chipset and motherboard are concerned, the 920XM and 940XM CPU's are the top. With throttle stop and the ability to adjust the CPU multiplier, there is really no differance in the 940XM and 920XM. But like the others said, the 740 really doesn't compare at all with the XM cpus. The XM's will run circles around the 720. I have both cpu's and have tested them pretty extensively.

 

Is the 840qm significantly faster than the 720qm? Would it be worth it to upgrade to the 840?

 

I personally don't feel the 840qm deserves the extra $$ for the small performance gain... but if you get it for a good deal then go for it.

I actually got my elitebook 8540W with a 840qm but that was only because after my configuration and work discount it only increased the price by $50
But since you are going to be upgrading your system just get the 920xm and skip the 840qm all together

Just my 0.00002¢

 

How 940XM would help in video rendering? In intensive video rendering (HD res + heavy effects i.e Magic Bullet) I see my 720QM usage is only 45-50%.

 

If i were you i would definitely swap the HDD's for SSD's; the best upgrade i have done on a similar system.

 

940xm is top tier. I'm probably going to upgrade from 820 to 920 for the fact that the 920 will run all cores at full speed.
Also the hybrid 500GB drives are a good alternative.