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    Is my 330watt brick done?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by hereticangel, Apr 16, 2015.

  1. hereticangel

    hereticangel Notebook Consultant

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    Hello Guys

    So finally my dream came true ,a local alienware m18x system was up for sale for 530usd converted from my currency. Knowing there was small issues with system i still bought it .

    Specs:
    I7 2760qm
    4x4gb ram
    dual hd 6990m
    1tb drive etc

    System is stock. Just running throttlestop for the cpu.

    Problem he said he thinks 2nd hd6990m is dying.

    Seems it power brick if I enabled Cf and is BF hardline is done loading ,the power bricks switches off.

    Which means it cant supply enough power to the machine.
    Machines work with cf disabled.

    Do you think its possible to fix the powerbrick? Think new one will be like 220 usd :(

    Really love the machine!!
     
    hereticangel, Apr 16, 2015
    #1
  2. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    I would grab a new one and a genuine one should not cost anywhere near that at all.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 16, 2015
    #2
  3. triturbo

    triturbo Long live 16:10 and MXM-B

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    If you are handy with disassembly - remove the first GPU and test, then put it back in and remove the second and test again. If there's a problem with one of them, the switching off brick would occur again. My guess is that, indeed one of the cores is on its way. For my brother was the secondary as well, seems like a design flaw?! If any GPU would go, it should be the first one, since its more stressed. Anyway, sadly M18x is terribly designed and you have to take apart the whole thing?! Of course time makes you better, but still - enthusiast machine and there are parts all over the place. M17x-R2 has similar design, but MUCH better built and you can get to the GPUs in a matter of 10 screws if I remember correctly.

    TL;DR - I think your PSU is fine (it just trips to prevent more serious problem), it's most likely the secondary GPU.
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2015
    triturbo, Apr 18, 2015
    #3