Aw m18x R2 Dual 980m SLI upgrade!!

Thanks the advice,but i love my R2+ love 18" LCD This upgrade will last i think,so 1x980M or 970M SLI better way do you think?

 

Don't forget that Ngreedia going to kill performance on EOL graphics card, when new cards are released. This is common practice from the Greens .

 

My 780M's rock stabile in games and only Kepler, ~1 year later surely will worse support,maybe Maxwell cards get more ~1 year good support

 

Go with 980M if you are hell bent on it, but having already been down that road myself I think you're wasting money if you have 780M SLI. Just my opinion. The M18xR2 isn't able to fully reap the rewards of Maxwell. Unless @Swick1981 can find a magic cure for it with a BIOS mod, there will always be horrible limitations to it in terms of OS choices and performance, inability to overclock it without severe throttling. The M18xR2 deserves better than that. It was more that I could bear to see such an awesome machine trapped in a cage of mediocrity with Maxwell GPUs.

Well, I have three 18-inchers and two 17-inch beasts. Honestly, moving between them it's almost irrelevant to me. I find it very difficult to notice a difference in screen size. The difference in performance is nothing short of spectacular. Both of the 17-inch monsterbooks absolutely destroy my 18-inch Alienwares. Don't get me wrong... I really do love the 18-inch edge-to-edge display on the M18xR1 and M18xR2, but there is (for me) no meaningful difference based solely on the slightly larger screen. Would I like it better if the Panther and Sky X9 had 18-inch screens? Yes, if it was an option, because I always prefer larger form factor notebooks. If nothing else, I love that huge form factor flies in the face of the crippled BGA jokebook trash so many of the kiddos are goo-goo-gah-gah over.

 

Throttling issue only if want OC? Stock clocks 970M SLI working fine maybe?,if yes worth it for me because +30% graphics power.

 

Unless you go out of the way and endure the hassle of special driver mods throttling is horrible even at stock clocks unless something has changed since I gave up trying to make it usable. My situation is different than most people because I do not place any value on stock performance. If I cannot overclock the crap out of it, the product is utterly worthless to me. I cannot tell you much about 970M. I have a 970M (just one) in the Alienware 18, but I've hardly used it for anything since it was installed. I've never seen an example of 970M SLI in the M18xR2 because most people want to own the best GPU available, which is 980M (if you do not count the new 200W GTX 980 in the Sky X9). I do not have a reason to believe the 970M would behave any better. It might, but I have not seen an example of it.

If you have 780M SLI, installing a single 970M or 980M is a significant performance downgrade and waste of money. 970M SLI appears to be a small increase over 780M SLI, but if you cannot overclock it might not be work the expense considering all of the severe functional limitations Maxwell introduces.

 

Yes,i surmise will little risky upgrade...so don't know yet,but maybe i try

 

Hey Everyone,
If you take a look at my thread in the M18xR2, I MIGHT have unlocked the legacy issue for 900 series. It's not a definite thing, obviously, as I need testers. But, I really might have done it. (If not, you can give me 100 lashes). In any case, I have a bios that you can try if anyone has a 900 series nVidia GPU. This MIGHT work and give you the support we want / need. Contact me in my thread or via PM if interested in testing. I know the one mod I've done works, and doesn't cause any issues to your system, except it may give legacy support to 900 series gpus!
Hope to hear from you guys soon!
Swick

 

It appears that the unlock for 900 series GPU's has been accomplished. I've had 2 people test and can confirm that they ARE using the 980m in legacy mode and 3DMark2011 is running all tests.
The SLI test is going to be run tonight, but from all accounts, it should be good to go!
Just thought I'd let ya'll know!

 

It's CONFIRMED... Legacy support works on the m18xR2 with 900 series GPU's. All tests have passed with single 980m GPU.
We are now testing SLI to make sure that works, too!
Plus, I've added a mod to see if the AW18 LED can be used on the m18xr2. Not sure about that one, yet, but... That's still being tested!
Just wanted to give ya'll the EXCITING news!

 

2 x 980m in SLI ARE CONFIRMED WORKING. 3dMark11 gave it a score of either 14,083. more info is on my OP. Come over there and take a look. You'll see that legacy support has been added and I also updated a TON of other thigns, too. Intel OPROM, LAN Firmware, vBios for on Board video, CPU Microcode, and a host of other things, too!

Alienware M18xR2 New/Updated BIOS Mods - Testers Needed

 

Congrats & Well Done, does it remove the GPU throttling problems that were present with 980M in M18xR2 too?

 

No, not yet. I'm actually working on that issue as I type... I've dumped the DSDT, FACP, FACS and XSDT data, and then converted it to human readable text. Now it's to try and figure out WHAT needs to be edited. I know that it's the PEG0 & PEG1 that need to be modded, but what and how they need to be modded I'm not sure of, yet... Researching it as I type this, too... heh If ANYONE knows how to edit these settings, please contact me. I could use the help. Plus, the sooner I (we) get this edited, the sooner I can figure out how to release the bios!

 

it appears that I have also been able to momd the m17xR4's bios to give legacy support, as well... I will need testers, if this is wanted. I cannot do anything else to this mod, until it is tested. But, I do not have anyone willing to test, so... Let me know if you want to try this out! Hope to hear from you soon!

 

I don't know if this is something that is even wanted.... But, IF you want, I can update the vBios on the R4, the Intel Raid OpRom (Legacy), the SataDriver (Intel Raid EFI Module) both are v12.9.0.2006, or I may need to use 11.6 or 11.8 depending on the PC, LAN Firmware & PXE Boot, Intel IME Firmware Update Package (Seperate from Bios Mod), CPU Microcode updated, INCLUDING LEGACY SUPPORT! BUT, I need testers. I will NOT do any of these updates unless someone is willing to test it. It's HIGHLY unlikely anything bad will happen, so you have nothing to worry about. So, I hope to hear from SOME of you soon. Otherwise,.....
Hope to hear from you soon!

Swick

 

You should start a thread in the M17x subforum where M17xR4 owners will actually see your kind offer to help them. Chances are great that few of them will see this. You might also want to reach out to @j95 at Tech|Inferno. Your M18xR2 BIOS mod is a huge success and I think he may want to get in on some of that action for the M17xR4.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/forums/alienware-17-and-m17x.1079/

 

I'm away for several days I'll get in touch with you as soon as i get back.
Kudos to you mate, you have achieved what seemed to be impossible regarding the R2/R4 platform.
Cheers

 

BTW.. I appreciate all the kind words, but as my dad ALWAYS taught me...
Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good! hehe
Guess luck was on my side with this mod! heh

Talk with you soon!

 

A question for the fellow Alienware 18 users: Did the latest sBIOS releases from DELL(A12) and Prema 980m vBIOS get rid of the throttling for good? If not I think it would be useless try to fix it in M18X-R2 because maybe its related to drivers.

 

I'm sure mine is throttle-saurus rex over here. Witcher 3 is laggy as can be if I dial it to the top, or even near the top. I'm looking forward to the legacy bios and going back to Windows 7 from Window 8.1 (blech). I'm a bit lost on which BIOS to use in terms of vBIOS.

Homer

 

If you are using Clevo cards, then the Prema V2 BIOS is for you.

 

Is there a way to tell via the hardware ID or something? I got them from Woodzstack666.

Homer

 

He is a clevo reseller. You can use the prema V2 bios mod

 

Thats some impressive work

 

Thank you for the kind words. Appreciate it.

 

@Swick1981

Is it possible to add 980M support(compatiblity) for the M18X-R1 too? The R1 only works works till 880M and below and It seems you already have some mods for R1, is 980M support included or planned? Thanks.

 

I was hoping to do such a thing, BUT...
Im down now, SADLY... for some reason my system, the m18xr2, is not giving me any kind of post. I haven't changed or modded any of the BIOS settings, so it's unlikely to be that. I also am running into a problem where I am unable to Blind flash. I hold the end quien while plugging in the power cable with no battery and the system turns on but it will not take the actual file for some reason. I have the device or flash drive plug into the eSATA USB combo port and that doesn't do anything. The system fan stay on so long but it doesn't take the firmware update. My issue is that I have the Intel management engine firmware 8.1 .65 and I do not know if that's not allowing me to flash the system or blind Flash the system. On top of that when I turn the machine on normally, the system fans turn on for about 2 or 3 seconds and then stop. I get no picture on the screen no nothing for that matter. I have tried the blind flash like I said I also tried clearing CMOS and that didn't work either. I have not changed or modified the BIOS firmware at all. I do not know what to do and am in desperate need of your help. Willing to do anything for the person that can help me, heh!!!

 

Very interesting. You know, there are VERY rare instances where a blind flash attempt may brick the computer ENTIRELY. I was a victim of this on the M17x R4 (same BIOS structure as M18x R2).

Can you turn the computer on AT ALL? Any sort of power to it?

 

In worse case scenario you can replace the BIOS chip inside motherboard, I think @Mr. Fox can help you if this is needed to be replaced.

 

Mr fox & i think its actually the motherboard. As such i purchaseded his r2 stuff, so ill be up by tuesday or wed. I SHOULD be able to get r1 in legacy mode, too... but ive gotta get my files off my r2 b4 i can do that. IF i can, ill try to get my files off my dropbox, ill need R1 testers, too... anyway, i could have pc up by tuesday, maybe monday if lucky, heh...
Man this sucks!

 

It's coming your way mañana, bro. A ginormous box loaded with tons of spare parts, awesome stuff like the Orion backpack, TactX headset and TactX mouse, original boxes, leather manual and DVDs, cloth cover, two AW mousepads and 2 AW baseball caps (never worn), a couple of alien-head domed decals, along with the 660W dual AC adapter setup. All of my awesome specs, Windows fully tweaked and tuned for extreme overclocking and no malware Micro$lop updates... 3920XM, 780M SLI, 32GB 2133 Vengeance, 480GB Corsair GTX RAID0, 4TB HDD RAID0, 256GB Samsung mSATA, external (matching red color) slot-load Blu-Ray burner, along with your awesome BIOS mod.

I hope you don't mind that it has the "Mr. Fox" custom Alienware nameplate on the bottom. I think one of the boxes has the generic plate and screws if you don't want that.

 

The legendary @Mr. Fox leave AW now. Mr. Azor and Dell / Alienware headquarters should thank in humility for all your help and free publicity you has done for Alienware. Dell/Alienware with Mr. Azor and his management team have abandoned the idea of producing some of the best you can buy when it comes to high quality and high performance in a high end gaming laptop(you don't want to be with the ship longer for obvious reasons). Dell / Alienware should leave you with a hefty check as a thank you for all the help you have given to all who bought what was perhaps the best that could be purchased by high end performance in a portable design. I think Dell/Alienware will never receive a similar ambassador for their products in the future. Shame on you @Alienware-Frank and DELLIENWARE for destroying a well known brand...

 

Holy crap!

Sent from my overpriced Galaxy S6 Edge +

 

Those were the good old days and some of the best memories of my geek-hood. Still an awesome machine in every way, and one that may go down in history as never matched in terms of aesthetics and build quality... truly a legendary product. If I were a rich man I would keep it forever, but I am just an ordinary working man and I want the money for other things.

 

For the record, you guys have no idea how much it pains me to get this stuff from mr. Fox. I do not want him leaving the Alienware seen. He has been amazing, and I have been trying to have him not sell his R2 system. In fact, once I get my system back up and running, I'll keep all of his goodies, but I might have to send him his R2 back just in order to keep him in the scene. And I'm dead serious, I do not like doing this one bit, but I am in a bit of a bind, and this was the only way out I could see or find. Being that I am going to be out of town on Thursday morning at something like 6 a.m. So, I am sorry to the Alienware R2 community. Believe me when I say this breaks my heart but I am totally psyched to get his incredibly awesome spect out R2 and the 660 watt power supply is going to be freaking amazing. So there is most definitely an upside. Plus I'll have an R2 as a backup and that will be extremely good as well being I can use that to test my mods and stuff and send to someone that has an SPI programmer whenever I break it and still have another one to use. LOL

 

Fox has been planning to sell his Alienware stuff for a while now mate, it's nothing recent. It's probably good it went to another active forum member instead of a random bloke off eBay.

 

Raid,
Do you want to test the R1 mod for legacy support? If so, lmk. I'l;l send link...

 

Well, once I get back, I'm going to have to get Mr Fox PC back to him as a loaner. Frankly, I can't have him "TURN, TURN, TURN..." from this alienware stuff! LoL
We ALL need him. HELL, I need his tech support, BADLY! (Though, I'm not sure what else he could do for us, come to think of it.) But Mr. Fox without an m18xR2 - that just seems like BLASPHEMY!
LoL

 

So, against my better judgement (and more specifically no testers), i have a mod for legacy support for ALL m17xr1, m17xr2, m17xr3 and r4 READY for testing. Pm me if u wanna test. Ill be available tmmrw anytime (almost), so send a pm if u have an m17xr1 to r4 if u wanna test! Tty SOON!
(I HOPE/MAYBE)

Swick

 

Duel power supply, HERE I COME! BY 1030AM tmmrw morn, ill be using that. My electric bill should increase by a good $50 a month at least from that, OR MORE! The cons of computers, lol!!! (Although, I'd still use it if it increased my power bill by 200$ a month. I mean, I already pay over 400$ a month - or 350 - 500$ depending). Can't believe that I have a server running here and it has duel 600 watt power supplies, and my laptop has 1 660 watt power supply. A laptop taking HALF the power my server takes! How KICK ASS IS THAT?)

 

T-Minues 15 hours or less til I get @Mr. Fox duel power supply. Believe me, I'll get a HUGE KICK out of this power supply! More money to the power company, here I come! GRRRR! LoL

 

LOL! You can use it as much as you wish, but you don't actually need to use it unless you are overclocking the snot out of the GPUs.

 

@Mr. Fox
Oh, do you mean it wont help me in any way if I leave it at the setting syou already have it set on? Wont the extra power be somewhat helpful? Or do I have to be OC'ing the snot out of it to get any real benefit?

 

Unless you are exceeding the capacity of a single 330W AC adapter, the dual adapter mod provides no benefit. And, it won't consumer more power than a single AC adapter until you draw more than a single AC adapter is capable of providing. The demand is determined by the laptop, not the AC adapter(s). What you are doing is increasing capacity to twice what it was before.

 

Do not forget... Less strain on psu, if they are two .

 

Gee, thanks for killing my buzz @Mr. Fox...
Thought this would provide me SOME kind of help. But since my system doesn't shut off, then it's likely I've NEVER even come close to pulling 330 watts. bummer!
what a buzz kill!
Oh well... *SIGH*

 

Less strain on psu, if they are two to deliver the power consumtion

 

Trust me... if you overclock 780M SLI and your CPU the way I have, you'll be wondering how you ever lived with a wimpy 330W setup. It doesn't go anywhere near far enough. 780M SLI comes close to exhausting that with no GPU overclock. And, 780M SLI will come close to using up 660W and a heavily overclock 980M SLI setup will consume every bit of that. In fact, 330W was not even enough for a maxed out 680M SLI overclocking rampage. Alienware needed to start paying attention to some of the stuff Clevo was doing a LONG time ago.

From my YouTube channel...

M18xR2 680M SLI Power Draw Test
[parsehtml]<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cF74tEm7C7A?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/parsehtml]M18xR2 and Alienware 18 780M SLI Power Draw Tests
[parsehtml]<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7CoeOq-lkdY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/parsehtml]EUROCOM Panther 980M SLI
[parsehtml]<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MDcV-PGNues?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/parsehtml]Same thing... no CPU or GPU OC
[parsehtml]<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aM2XU2wj2TU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/parsehtml]M18xR2 with Single 980M
[parsehtml]<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mpHOWJUZVdQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/parsehtml]Alienware 17 R2 BGA Turdbook single 980M
[parsehtml]<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s4zXCut58FY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/parsehtml]

---

Off topic, but still cool... just for fun.
[parsehtml]<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QQjE3U1Oq5Q?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/parsehtml]Single GTX 980 200W Desktop GPU in Sky X9E @Prema
[parsehtml]<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7auK3LA-lWg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/parsehtml]

 

Wow I saw a huge power jump in your panther 5se to 855 watts!!. Are you using triple or dual psu with that? Brother Fox?

If dual psu does that mean each 330 watt brick is capable to give ~425 to 430 watts is short intervals i mean at least?

Doesnt it throttle or shut down?

Are you planning to do 980m sli in sky 9 xe? Eager to see Max wattage in that.

 

Even my P170SM-A with an overclocked 4810 and 880M came close to the limits of a 330w supply. I definitely found the limits of the 230w power supply.

Sent from my overpriced Galaxy S6 Edge +