The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Need advice with buying graphics card for my m15x

    Discussion in 'Alienware Area-51/Aurora and Legacy Systems' started by nofate, Aug 21, 2020.

  1. nofate

    nofate Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    280
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Hello everyone,I haven't been on this forum for long time. I had a good time being on this forum as there are very good specialists here. My m15x which is 12 years old still up and running. Problem is that my primary Graphics card burned long time ago. I have alienware m15x first gen from 2008 (pre dell machine) This model with exactly the some spec>>> https://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Alienware-Area-51-m15x-Notebook.8835.0.html
    I upgraded hdd to ssd and have 4GB RAM running Windows 7 64bit. The problem is when I try to play YouTube video from 720p or higher resolution video is gliching, it is not smooth. The secondary Graphics card Intel GMA
    X3100 does not manage this video resolution. I would like to put some primary Graphics card to my old m15x. The question is what graphics card could I Install in my old m15x?
    In this topic >>> http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/replacement-m15x-video-card.733309/


    There is information that fallowing video card


    High end cards:

    1) Geforce GTX 280M
    2) Geforce Quadro 3700M
    3) Geforce 9800M GTX or GT
    4) Geforce GTX 260M
    5) ATI HD4870 and 4850
    6) Geforce 8800M GTX

    Mid range cards

    1) Geforce Quadro 3600M
    2) Geforce 8800M GTS
    3) Geforce 9700M GTS or GT
    4) Geforce Quadro 2700M
    5) Geforce GT 240M

    will work with m15x.

    In my m15x geforce 8800m Gtx looks like this >>> https://1drv.ms/u/s!AmrrA5rL7BHokX1aXw92Vjjid5o6

    When I have a look for recommended video card like Geforce GT 240M>>> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373123525564

    It does have a different layout>>> https://1drv.ms/u/s!AmrrA5rL7BHokXwA69iLpscZu0pw

    I don't think this video card will fit into my m15x?
     
  2. protivakid

    protivakid Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    88
    Messages:
    613
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    41
    I would personally avoid Nvidia cards, there is an issue with the M51x where any Nvidia driver newer than a particular version will lead to a BSOD. I think this was version 186.81 which is now 11 years old. AMD/ATI cards should work with a more up-to-date driver. The HD3870 is probably the easiest to find and most compatible. I have seen some get a HD4850/70 working BUT it requires a particular variant of that card with a compatible VBIOS. Up to you if you want to go through the trial & error.
     
  3. nofate

    nofate Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    280
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    31
  4. protivakid

    protivakid Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    88
    Messages:
    613
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    41
  5. nofate

    nofate Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    280
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    31