Upgrading my Alienware m18x R1

Hello guys, I had lots of issues with my laptop and I decided that I am going to upgrade it.
As I have been informed by someone from the official site of Alienware the R1-R2 and R3 models have the same case but a different motherboard.

So I am willing to change my R1 motherboard to a R3
and my GPU from GTX 675m to GTX 880m or even better.

I am willing to spend around 450 to 550-600$.

Anyone who can help, let me know.

I can send whatever info you need that help you get enough info for which is the right motherboard or everything that is needed for the upgrade to be possible.

Thanks for your time.
My Spec.


Computer type Laptop
System Manufacturer/Model Number Alienware M18xR1
OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU Intel Core i7-2670QM
Motherboard Alienware M18xR1 Chipset Intel HM67 (Cougar Point) [B3]
Memory 2x 2GB and 2x 4GB all DDR3
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M

Hard Drives 1x Seagate ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB
Antivirus BitDefender
Browser Chrome

 

M18x R3 doesnt exist, only R2 and R1. With that budget you can get a GTX 780m (avoid 880m) plus a SSD. You can in fact replace your motherboard with the R2 model, but you will require the R2 motherboard, daughterboard, and SATA interposerd plus its cable, which goes beyond your budget. 780m, SSD, and 2920xm (in the future) will be a nice upgrade for you.

 

Can you explain what are these and where I can find them thanks.

but you will require the R2 motherboard, daughterboard, and SATA interposerd plus its cable, which goes beyond your budget. 780m, SSD, and ((2920xm))<-- whats that as well (in the future) will be a nice upgrade for you.
I am an average user thats why I am asking.

Links , or who can sell them, or even you or where to contact to buy them.

Thanks in Advance.

 

I have a 7970M for sale, should be double your GTX 675M performance and you can add another later if you want.

 

Thing is how do I know if its compatible.

 

It came out of my M18x R2, has been tested to work in the M15x, M17x R2,M17x R3, M17x R4, M18x R1, and M18x R2. It works in pretty much every modern Alienware made.

 

Ok first things first, how do I know if you are a trusted seller secondly that the gpu wont die after a year of heavy gaming like my previous one did(semi-died causing me blackscreens 24/7)
and thirdly how to get a refund if its not compatible.

We can use Ebay for our transaction I guess to ensure that, but still I want a warranty for at least 3 years. I have paid so much money on Techs and I cant waste a single $ for things to go wrong again.

This message is not meant to show distrust nor disrespect but to entrust transaction safety.

 

.

 

Well I've had the card since 2012, it hasn't failed yet, has high ASIC quality for a 7970M (78.1%), I don't think it will give up any time soon. I have great eBay feedback (user: v1p3rextreme) and my reputation here on the forum. 7970M is a good choice for a great budget performance upgrade that can be coupled with a second 7970M later if you want. Like I said, it is double your 675M performance. I'm just giving you an option here, you don't have to take it.

Really, your options are 7970M, 8970M, GTX 680M, or GTX 780M. I wouldn't bother with a 880M, they get way too hot and you should probably replace your M18x R1 heatsinks with M18x R2 heatsinks, since they have better cooling capacity.

 

I am more interested in an 780m or 880m with the heatsinks please. I am interested on a motherboard upgrade as well from R1 to R2 . both in a price under 600$.

I would like a link of your Ebay Account as well.

 

I don't have any of those for sale.
780M will likely you $350-400: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nvidia-GeFo...801757?hash=item2a59e4eddd:g:hZ8AAOSwvc9WFmRu
Primary heatsink another $30-40 a piece: http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-DELL-AL...403625?hash=item4d34bed5e9:g:jzgAAOSwMmBVluMt,
Secondary heatsink: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-OEM...hash=item2a3139cb53:m:meVguxJ82rTlKCjXr3t8h0A
motherboard minimum $250: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Alienw...048319?hash=item25b01667bf:g:ScoAAOSwstxVSEOV
and the HDD connector probably another $50: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Alienw...597397?hash=item4d3a3d99d5:g:~YsAAOxylpNTTKAH

Be wary, some M18x R2 motherboards came with a faulty/defective Soundblaster Recon3Di sound chip.

My ebay link:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/v1p3rextreme/m.html?item=252106219747&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

 

Thanks for the links and the massive help with those info!

 

This is the daughter-boar: http://www.pchub.com/uph/laptop/65-107711-26631/Dell-Alienware-M18x-Sub-Various-Board.html

 

So if I get it right to upgrade my M18x R1 to R2

I need a new motherboard and its daughter board plus that cable you mentioned?

 

Can Anyone Tell me the Part Numbers for an upgrade to GTX 780m or GTX 880m ty.

Or I can just like buy any MXM 3.0 780/880m card and fit it inside with any heat sink.
or even use my 675 heat sink.
and the same bios ... im so lost

 

3 years warranty, hahaha good luck with that.

 

Yeah seriously. Best he can hope for is 90 days if even that. Most would be 7 day DOA or 30 days.

 

dear OP, just stay with what you have, upgrade the processor to the 2920xm and upgrade to a 780m sli or a single one.

Just think of all of the work you will need to do just to upgrade. With this you will only need to upgrade 2 things, not 10 things. There isnt much difference between a 3920xm or a 2920xm. Not worth it.

 

Thing is how to upgrade? dont these things have part numbers how do I know if they are compatible with each other.

Can I upgrade my intel chip like that easy and like buy an mxm 3.0 780m and place it just like this without bios updates and all that?

 

Just look for a Dell 780m. And yes its that easy to upgrade the intel processor. I once had a m18x r2 that went from a 3630qm to a 3920xm. I took it apart, it took me about 2 hours since it was my 1st time. After that it's much easier so it takes less time.

There is videos on youtube on how to take apart a m18x r1. If you get a 2920xm, find the 3 pipe heat sink. It will make you overclock much higher. The 3 pipe heatsink has more surface area to dissipate the heat. It will be available to run cooler or overclock higher vs the 2 pipe or 1 pipe heatsink.