m17x r4 GPU upgrade options

Hi, I'm looking at upgrading the stock gpu on my Alienware m17x r4. I'm currently running a 2gb 660m and I'm using the original LVDS screen (LGD02DA - part number D3WCF).

What is the best gpu upgrade that I would I be looking at without the added cost of changing the screen as well? Would the mxm rx 480 work with my setup?

Thanks in advance

 

Nope.

Best you can get is the 980m if you plan to run dGPU mode, otherwise if you plan to run SG mode you will have more options but will have performance loss due to that method (but net performance gain will still be higher)

 

You can run Optimus mode (SG) and support the following GPUs:

1070: https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Nvidia...490959?hash=item2cdd7c974f:g:VgYAAOSwNo9b0ulz

1060: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nvidia-GeF...487546&hash=item2f2a9c5b14:g:RCQAAOSw5pRcSDe1

or if you want to run PEG (dedicated mode) you can use:

980M: https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Dell-A...sh=item23b20b1e05:g:vhoAAOSwwvZZU2yI&LH_BIN=1

780M: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nvidia-GeF...sh=item3d8b4bbcbf:g:RM0AAOSwgTxc4nbX&LH_BIN=1

680M(native support): https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nvidia-GeF...sh=item2cec1c5ccf:g:5QkAAOSwZbFc94wG&LH_BIN=1

680M will provide 2x your current performance
780M will be around 10-15% faster than 680M
980M will be 4x your current performance (2x 680m)
1060 will be around 10-15% faster than 980M
1070 will be 8x your current performance (~2x 980m)

If you want a cheap upgrade, native support, 2x performance, 680m is great.

980M will provide a much bigger performance increase while keeping native PEG mode.

1070 will provide current gen laptop performance.