hello new to the Forum w/a question Alienware M17xR1

I currently have Alienware( I belive is it's pre-dell) M17xR1 computer with a
Intel Core 2 Duo t8100 @ 2.10ghz 2 core, 2 logical processor
4GB DDR3 1066MHz Memory
Nvidia Geforce 8600m gt.
want to upgrade the CPU , BIOS and Video but not sure what options I have or hardware to order

thank you

andyc

 

At this point, it's simply not worth investing money into such upgrades. Even if you do find compatible parts, the price will likely be similar to a used/refurbished laptop with far more powerful hardware.

 

It's as don_svetlio said, the hardware you got is simply way to outdated in order to recommend any upgrades. So if you are a person that wants to play new games and have fun on your AW, then you will have to buy a new/used one.

Now there are people here which just want to upgrade their notebook for the hell of it, and if u're one of those then these are your maxed out options:
- Core 2 Quad 9300QX (
- 8GB DDR 2 RAM
- SSD
- AMD Radeon HD 5870M 1GB

To illustrate a thumbrule of the "maxed out" setup:
- Most games from oldschool - 2008 will run on high settings ( 40-60fps)
- Most games from 2009-2011 will run on low/medium settings ( 30fps+)
- 2012+ is mostly unplayabale

If you would buy the entire upgrade on ebay (SSD excluded), then u'd have to pay: 252USD (shipping + tax not included). If it's worth it for you or not is entirely up to you, personally I wouldn't recommend it.

 

Depends on the resolution actually. The 5870M can still play stuff such as Witcher 3 as long as you run it at 720p/768p

 

I don't consider 12-37FPS playable.

 

At this age this machine is more of a collectors and retro gamers laptop though a nice one at that don't expect to be able to play much when it comes to modern games. All that said with a 5870m it could cut the mustard at least half way into this decade though with reduced settings.

 

TO : don_svetlio , nforce4max ; Danishblunt; don_svetlio, don_svetlio

thank you ALL for the quick reply to my Post ,but the reason to the upgrade was best said by Danishblunt "just want to upgrade their notebook for the hell of it " :^) but system is use by grandkids to play retro gamers with emulator connect to the 65 LG TV and having a blast with the old school games.. now here a new situation not sure if the laptop is a AW area 51 Mx17 r1 or AW M17xR1 the reason is on the back of the system there a label with "Alienware M17xR1" in the battery compartment a label with "Alienware Area 51-M M17X" also battery compartment a sticker with MB Revision A06, also A sticker WITH BARCODE PA8AN7827048 ; MB- F17WUXGABKRIPNTR1 the in formation on the memory is Kingston KVR800D2S0/2GR 74061736340 1.8V
so is this a a AW area 51 M17xR1 or AW M17xR1 im going to guess is a AW area 51 M17xR1 because I check the memory type is DDR 2 and DDR 3 are the AW M17xR1 they use but I need a experts help. if so I can upgrade if is a AW area 51 M17xR1 system...and to what CPU GPU Memory Max..

 

It is an Alienware M17x r1.
The Alienware Area 51-M 17x is its full name, later Alienware just decided to make it M17x R1 because the whole area 51 thing got to long.

As to find out what type of ram you have:
Download https://www.hwinfo.com/download.php

After you downloaded and launched the program, just look under the memory tab and click on one of your memory slots, there you'll get all information you need about your current ram. The Max on upgrade is on my post. Also if you can, you should probably do a BIOS update or even look for an unlocked BIOS.

EDIT:
I just checked your notebook on google and youtube and it seems you are quite in luck. It seems that chances are that your system is an SLI machine, which means you have 2 graphicscards. Could you open device manager and check real quick how many graphicscards you have in your system?

If you have 8800GTX SLI, then that means you're in luck, a set of HD 5870s could bring you enough performance to actually play games on medium settings.

 

Hello and thank you for the quick reply

ok from what I understand from your reply my System is M17x R1
and I can upgrade to the following

- Core 2 Quad 9300QX (CPU)
- 8GB DDR 2 RAM (memory)
- SSD (HHD) all ready did that
- AMD Radeon HD 5870M 1GB (GPU)

ok here some in formation I have on the GPU in my system. I removed the cover on the back of the system. it has two GPU's the information on the sticker on the GPU are as follow, mobl - vf17nb8pgsmst, did a seach on the web and come back as Nvidia Geforce 8600m gt. I confirm the information with the application I d/led ( www.hwinfo.com/download.php) and device manager. I took a pic of the GPU's but for some reason I cant upload it to this msg I also notice there a ribbon cable connecting the two GPU's. is that the SLI. ?

Now here the $10,000 question where can I locate a BIOS update or a unlocked BIOS
question 2. can I do my upgrade with the current BIOS I think is Ver 306. I did a search on Dell web site
and they have the same version BIOS I have now...

ok I got some homework to do ,seach the web and located the Hardware above.
il keep you posted on the progress of the upgrade..

YOU HAVE BEEN A GREAT HELP :^)

Thank You

Andyc

 

You have an SLI system, it's not 8600GT but instead you got 8800GTX SLI, you should buy 2 HD 5870s and run them crossfire.

 

What other GPU options do I have, I notice while searching for 5870. on eBay I don't see any for the M17xR1 , but I see em for the R2. So far no issues finding the CPU but looking for a new one, I might have to order it from China. Ok il keep you posted, thank you for your help

 

GPU with Crossfire Cable ( Secondary )

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Dell-Al...994738?hash=item5b3d91e232:g:0hAAAOSwTSVZpEOh

CPU

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core2...381288?hash=item544c4d35a8:g:9fYAAOSwOAZZgNO1