Upgrading my m18x R1

My specs are currently:

Intel Core i7-2860QM @ 2.5 Ghz (overclocked to 3.2Ghz)
AMD Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire
4x4GB 1600 mhz ddr3
with 120 gb ssd and 1 tb hdd.

Is it possible to upgrade the r1 version? How much does it cost (I live in Sweden if that would matter)? Do I need a new motherboard? Am I better off buying a new computer (Trigger Warning: was thinking about abandoning gaming laptops)?

My charger randomly shuts off when playing, my graphic cards reach 80-90 degrees celsius and my fans sometimes maxes out when browsing/opening chrome.

Note: My knowledge about (upgrading) laptop components ends at cleaning the fans with an air can

 

You can put 780M SLI or 880M SLI in that machine and it will be a lot more powerful. You could upgrade it to an R2, but based on your self-proclaimed skill level, probably not something you would want to tackle without help. (I said want and did not say can't because you can if you are willing.) If you get all of the parts for reasonable prices the R1 to R2 upgrade will set you back between $400 and $500 USD, but you'll still need to do something about the weak GPUs and slow CPU.

What is your budget? You can upgrade this and have something better in the end for less than you can buy something new that is fair, but still potentially inferior to what you would have after the upgrade. In other words, if new video cards are out of budget, don't buy a new machine because there is nothing worth buying for less than the cost of the upgrade. Whatever you could find to buy that cheap would be a piece of junk if it is brand new. However, buying a used R2 or Alienware 18 might be cheaper than buying parts for the upgrade and cheaper than a brand new mediocre gamer-boy BGA turdbook. And, you would have your current machine as a spare, or to sell.

 

My budget is around 1000$. If I've understood the prices correctly that wouldn't even be enough for 2x 780m (then I also need to upgrade my cpu)
My backup plan (which is slowly becoming my main plan) is to buy a used desktop for about 1000-1200$, and sell my old one for around 300$. Thing is, I love this computer so if anyone has any suggestions on how to save it I'm listening!

Also, when my computer enters battery mode the maximum frequency goes down to about 30%. When I plug it in again it only goes up to about 50% and I have to restart my computer for it to work. Does anyone know how to prevent this?

 

You can buy i7-2920XM ES. It was for about 100$ on ebay two years ago.

As for cards they are very expensive, I had that problem too.

 

I think your AC adapter is about to crap out on you. What you described is how they behave when they are worn out. I have worn out a couple of them. The usually last me about 2 years of heavy use.

Well, you can install a 2920XM or 2960XM and even a single 780M or 880M and that would be a massive improvement over what you have now. Should still be good for gaming like that for two or maybe even three more years. You should be able to do that for less than $1,000. You'll need to buy a 680M 100W heat sink or mod the one you have because 675M and older heat sinks are inadequate for 680M or 7970M or new video cards. The older heat sinks leave pieces without cooling, but the master GPU mod is easy. You can attached a square copper shim on the heat pipes with thermal adhesive to reach these components. It takes about 5 minutes if you do not count drying time, no special tools, cutting or soldering. I recently modded a 6970M heat sink for 970M that way and it was very simple. If you decide to do this I can post a photo.

 

Is 2920XM such a big of an improvement? Because according to notebookcheck's cpu benchmark my 2860QM and the 2920XM are about equal, but I might've missunderstood it. Also, I just ordered a new ac adapter. Unfortunately, it seems to be a scam site. Do you guys order yours directly from dell or is there somewhere else I can order them from? My current one is 240W, and since they're a lot cheaper I would like another one (instead of the 330W).

I don't think I'll update the GPU yet, but if you could post pictures of how to do it (without it being too much of a hassle for you) i'm not going to stop you

 

2920XM has unlocked multiplier, you can set whatever frequency you want (4.0 GHz in my case)

I never order from dell, just ebay.

You also need 330W adapter.

EDIT::

One word from me. If you don't have 100W heatsinks and 330W PSU cost may be really high so better buy used M18xR2

 

1. I have 2x 780M for sale, as well as the M18x SLI cable. PM me for a price for single or full set.

2. 2920XM is an absolute monster. You can overclock it in the BIOS. I have mine set to 4.4Ghz full time, all 4 cores, no extra voltage added. It is a total monster.

3. RAM you can leave alone and this point. You have 16GB and the speed is really the last thing to be worried about.

4. You want a better SSD than this 120GB. I strongly recommend the Micron M600 256 or 512GB, they are solid, strong performers with proven reliability.

You do not need a new motherboard or new heatsinks. The 6970M heatsinks are 100W, all you have to do is peel off the black tape around the bottom of the heatsink. The temp difference is not that significant from M18x R1 100W to M18x R2 100W heatsinks. 330W power adapter you already have if you have 6970M Crossfire from the factory.

You can certainly make your computer a beast, M18x R1 is not quite tired yet.

 

Agree with you

 

I live i Denmark, so were almost neighbours, and i have recently upgraded my R1 with GTX880M SLI bought manufacturer Refubished from Dell thru an Ebayer from Lithuania for 315 USD each including shipping, i also bought some 0,5 mm 14 Mkw Fujipoly Extreme thermal pads, because the GTX880M can run really hot if not properly cooled, i think i spent around 1000 USD with everything (SLI cable, proper Thermal Paste and new NVIDIA 100 watt Heatsinks to replace my AMD 100 Watt included)....And with this upgrade its an absolute beast (you can use the AMD Heatsinks with a little modification, theres a guide here on the forum)

BTW: You need 330 Watt power supply to run SLI or Crossfire setup. If Your current charger only is 240 Watt it might explain why it switches of under stress.

 

@macdaddy8000 Please run some tests to ensure throttling does not occur with newest cards batch.

Regards

 

I havent had any throttling issues at all, but i am not really playing the most graphic heavy games.......Right now im playing alot of Overwatch highest graphic settings 1440p 60fps and are running 73-76 degrees celsius.........In Firestrike test i havent ever had throttling either

 

I bought a cherry A18 for $1500 and sold my R1 for $1300 about 1 year ago. THe A18 has 780SLI and 32GB ram. THe R1 had a single 6990 cause the other card died.

 

Where did you find that ebayer that sold you the cards so cheap, how to they get hold of manufacturer refurbished stuff?

 

I got them cheap too. If you live in poor country you can buy them cheap because nobody wants to buy them lol

 

not always

 

A while back I sold a 880m for 350$ express shipped from Germany to USA.

 

@xuan135: Sorry to say this here. I just interested 780m, but I 'm still newbine & can't started conversion. So please ignore for me.
@Raidriar: Please pm price of 780m to Vietnam . Thanks!

 

It's almost impossible to get 780M new now because their production stopped long ago.

 

I knew that. I just finding card around 300$. If I can't, maybe I should get new laptop.

 

my 780ms are long sold....no more stock

 

You can always buy 880M with 4 gigs of extra memory

 

@Raidriar : Thanks!
@GodlikeRU :Some one said overheat problem of 880m. Is there possibility to fix it?

 

You can always lower clock to match 780M lol. I have it set like that (because I wanted 780M) but for Witcher 3 im restoring original clock by nvinspector.

I haven't got any overheating problems and I hope it will stay like that.