Alienware 18 r1 maximum possible CPU upgrade (inofficial?)

I lately got an Alienware 18 r1 for an ok price, since I love the uniquness of the HDMI-IN feature ( even though its sad, you cannot use it or recording) and now I wanted to ask what my options are to upgrade my CPU are?

The current one is an i7-2670qm. and apparently my limit would be a 2960xm.

Is this really all or is there maybe some sort of "inofficial" way to get something something even more powerful?
I guess there is no way to reach 4GHZ, or maybe yes?



Thank you for your time

 

That's your limit, the only upgrade that you can do is convert it to an R2 and then your limit will be i7 3920xm or i73940xm. I think that I remember seeing Mr. Fox run a 3920xm at 4+GHz with his R2.

 

2960XM should reach 4Ghz no problem. Some better bins can reach 4.5Ghz. A 2960XM at 4Ghz+ should be more than enough for any of today's games assuming you already have a powerful GPU set-up like 780M SLI(max supported in R1).

You can always upgrade the motherboard and I/O board to that of a R2. Then your R1 will basically become an R2. Now you would be able to upgrade to 3920/3940XM. However, performance wise, 39XX vs 29XX is very small and not worth it. The only thing worth it going to R2 motherboard is being able to run cards like 980M SLI or single 1060, etc.

 

Thank you very much everyone.
I wasn't aware that the 2960xm could indeed reach up to 4GHZ. And being able to switch my r1 motherboard with a r2 one is an interesting option. ( I am sure I could get from aliexpress for a good price).
Also thank you for showing me the little difference such an upgrade would do; So far I am only interested in the CPU.


Thank you again.

 

In that case get a 2960XM. In the future if you choose to upgrade to R2 motherboard and I/O board, you can still use your CPU in the R2 motherboard.

If getting the 2960XM, be sure to get the better CPU heatsink:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Dell-AL...129032?hash=item1a2fbdf988:g:6ioAAOSwtfhYoeLg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Genuine...179316?hash=item1a1bb7c9f4:g:f9cAAOSwgmJX11G7

The first link is the 3-pipe extreme cpu heatsink that came in the R2.

The second link is the 2-pipe extreme cpu heatsink that came in the R1.

If I remember correctly, the R2 heatsink fits in perfectly with the R1, so I'd get that one as it's better. I think @Mr. Fox knows if it fits fine.

EDIT: Nvm yes R2 3-pipe fits fine in R1.

 

Yes, it fits perfectly in both machines. Definitely go with the 3-pipe version. It's more effective than the older 2-pipe version.

 

I benched the 2920XM and 3920XM at between 4.7 to 4.9GHz on AC cooling. I ran both CPUs at 4.3GHz for normal everyday stuff like gaming and web browsing. It's probably buried back several pages and locked due to expiration/inactivity now, but there is an Extreme CPU Overclocking thread with more information. After the overclocker/bencher group ditched Alienware it kind of faded into oblivion because the most of the folks that are left are not really into that sort for thing. They mostly like to play games. Some have even sold their souls to the devil and embraced BGA filth.

http://hwbot.org/submission/2345039_mr._fox_cpu_frequency_core_i7_2920xm_4906.1_mhz
http://hwbot.org/submission/2205324_johnksss_cpu_frequency_core_i7_2920xm_5070.1_mhz/
http://hwbot.org/submission/2213421_mw86_cpu_frequency_core_i7_2920xm_5090.6_mhz/

 

IF I ever get my laptop back from HIDEvolution, I'll look into a 2960XM and 3-pipe heatsink. I'll be sure to bring back some life into the 4Ghz+ club on the M18x like we once did years ago.

 

Wonderful information. Thank you so much .

 

I have a 2920XM and it does 4.4GHz 4 cores no extra voltage, no problem. It is a beast of a chip.

 

Now that you mention them both, which one do you recommend? I'm planing on upgrading my 3610qm to an xm one and I'm not sure which one should I get. I'm more worried about temperature since that's one of my biggest issues here where I live.

 

3920XM is definitely the better CPU. Going from 2920XM to 3920XM was a solid performance boost.