Are CPU upgrades possible on an M11x R2?

Hi, about a year ago I bought an Alienware m11x R2(i3 model) and i've realized that the processor is pure garbage. I spent $1,500 on this laptop that promised unbeatable mobile gaming yet Modern Warfare 3(Which doesn't really require much horsepower) runs like a slide show.

Here's the exact specs:
Intel u7300 @ 1.30 GHZ(OC to 1.7)
4GB ram
Nvidia GT335m 1GB DDR3

I'd like to replace my CPU with an i5-520m but i've heard in some places that M11x laptops can't be upgraded in any way once you've purchased it. I really hope this isn't true, any help will be appreciated. Thanks

 

Nope, CPU is soldered on the motherboard. Refer to this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...11x-r2-i7-680um-motherboards-grey-market.html regarding getting a new system board from eBay which has the i7 on it.

//Edit: If you have the u7300, you have the the R1 and it's not an i3 it's a Core 2 duo.

 

Kinda hard to about garbage when you don't know what you have. 1 year ago there wasn't really much in the MOBILE gaming market to compete with it and that still is true.

That said, the i3 and C2D will net about the same result in games as the i3 doesn't enjoy the benefits of throttlestop (if I have it correct).

 

if MW3 runs like a slide show it may be cuz the 335gt isnt kicking in?

 

This.

As a relatively new game, it is likley that your nVidia Optimus profiles haven't been updated to include MW3 as a whitelisted game.

 

You have an R1. That is a core 2 duo.

You will need to ensure you have your GPU enabled (fn+f6). Beyond that, it is probably the fact that your CPU is the bottleneck. The most you can do is Overclock your GPU and go to BIOS and enable overclocking there.


If you really want more performance you can do a solder mod to your CPU to push it up to .4Ghz Higher.