Changing the processor in the laptop

Hello, currently I have a Genuine Intel(R) CPU U4100 @ 1.30 GHz processor. However this is not so good for playing videogames. Therefore I am wondering if I can get a better processor, but I'm not really a computer expert so I'd like some advice.

What should I get, for what price, and where? Also, is it easy to change the processor myself without a lot of hardware knowledge?

 

The processor is soldered to the motherboard, so it is definitely not as easy as taking the laptop apart and plopping a new one in. Furthermore, if you're able to get past that barrier, the fastest you'll be able to put in that motherboard is only 1.6ghz, so you won't get much of a boost for your trouble, time, or money. In regard to the latter, the cheapest I could find the SU9600 is $120 on ebay.

 

That one you found is an ES.


I agree with corwinicre - too much work for almost marginal gain.

 

So the only way to play some decent games is to get a new laptop? That's nice, that's great. :-/

 

Sadly, that's the truth with almost all SFF laptops. A few rare exceptions, but almost all in the past where soldering the CPU onto the board was *slightly* less common.

 

Also, how come this laptop doesn't have a DVD drive? Not that I need it that much, I just think it's typical the laptop came with an installation CD and there's no DVD drive.

 

cursed expensive to make space for a 12cm DVD.

Sony did it, in a similar frame with the Sony Z series. One catch: it starts at 1800usd for the base model.

 

Well anyway, I thought I got a fairly decent laptop, and as far as I know, most games do rely most on the videocard. So is there any chance I can play recent games with this thing?

 

yes... make sure the nVidia GPU is activated (I made that mistake for the longest of times, lol).

OC the CPU via the BIOS (a single BIOS option handles this).

Battery life will suffer a bit, but the CPU+GPU combo will be sufficient to a least run most games. Ultimately, it may not run many games at super high settings, but for comparible power in a similar form factor? The m11x is unreasonably well priced, compared to it's slim pickings for realistic competition.

 

How do you check if it's activated or not?

Also, I don't have much experience with overclocking, how does that work?

 

One could have a browse through the user guide that came with the notebook.

Alienware: Online Documentation

 

I have the same question regarding changing the processor but for the R2. Is it possible to upgrade from i5 to i7 without changing the motherboard or is it the same story ?

 

I have to search through a 100 page manual just to find out if my nVidia gpu is on or not, and how I can overclock the processor? I don't have time for all this, there ought to be a faster way.

Also, I don't know what you exactly mean, but my laptop is currently running on the nVidia gpu. If you mean some special settings then I don't know what you're talking about.

 

Did you do any sort of research before buying? The M11x is basically a supercharged netbook, not a full on gaming rig. It will play Crysis on (mostly) high but it's more suited for mid-range games.

For your CD issue, there's ways around not having a CD/DVD drive. For one,m you could rip the files off the disk and pop it onto a thumbdrive/external drive.

 

Wow how does someone spend that amount of money on something not do any research beforehand!?

I don’t have an R1 or R2 yet but know a fair bit about both.

 

Ofcourse I did my research beforehand but I don't know crap about computer hardware or processors or whatever. And I don't really want to delve into that either, if I can leave it to the pros.

As for ripping CD files ofc I know that I've been doing that for ages. Still makes it unconvenient.

But nevermind all that I need help with overclocking???

 

Same story, it's soldered into the motherboard, too. It's common of ULV processors, which the m11x utilizes in both revisions.

press power button to boot computer
when you see the alien head, tap f2 until you enter the BIOS. (should see alienhead almost immediately after pressing the power button to boot up).
use the right arrow to goto the next "page"
use the down arrow to go all the way to the last option (should be Overclocking: [disabled])
press enter once the last option is highlighted. Select [Enabled]
press enter (if you haven't already)
press f10
confirm you with to save your settings. <--most important step

done!

 

Ok how to overclock-
Turn on your computer and click F2 repeatedly on the screen where it has a loading screen,
You will get a bluish screen.
Go to the right "Advanced Settings"
Then go down to "CPU overclocking" or whatever it says, (As default it will be disabled)
Probally go with the 4rth one down. Don't go down to far or else it will shut off your computer.
Though if you have a warranty (Which you do)
Try out different settings and run it on a game that is tough on your computer to find a stable setting.
By stable I mean where it doesn't blue screen and shut off.
Always change your over clock settings by the BIOS (F2 at startup), if you use another program you might void your warranty.
*hope this helps

EDIT:
Grr jeremy stole my post >.<

 

Thanks for explaining it twice guys but now I'm confused. Last option or 4th option down?

 

last option

@bobtheflea: sorry!

 

Well if you choose the last option
166Mhz it might be to powerful for your computer,
It was for mine but all computer (even the same model) are different
So yours might be stable at 166,
I wish mine could =/

 

He is R1, with the SU4100.

Only On, or Off.

 

Well I did what you guys said but I could only set OverClocking to enabled or disabled. I just put it to enabled, is it ok now?

 

On the r1 one thats it your done. Click enabled. 1.7GHZ sorted.

Now download evga pressision from here and you can start to OC your graphics card. Its pretty simple. Have a look what figures other people have OC'd their cards to and give them a try. Combined with your CPU OC you should get a nice bump in gaming.

I use sly softs software for mounting my ISO's found HERE

 

You are kidding, right??
This is the most powerful laptop in the universe with 11.6 inches. You can play almost any game with this little monster. There are just few games that are unplayable. But they are also unplayable in most 15 inches laptops.

lammer...

 

this has got to be an epic level...this whole thread. well played sir.

 

Everybody has got to start learning from somewhere

 

Look I know I'm dumb but I ain't trolling so you don't have to keep pointing it out.

What overclock settings should I use for my gpu? And won't I void my warranty if I use that program?

 

You won't viod the warranty if you OC - not unless if you start taking apart your machine to do hardware mods

 

Okay well I downloaded the program, but I don't really get the terms. It seems I can set the "core clock", "shader clock", and "memory clock", but I don't really get the meaning. Anyone know good settings for this that are good for my laptop?

Also, it says my gpu temperature is 40 degrees, is that normal?

 

It depends on what BIOS your M11xR1 is currently using, A03 or A05.

Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)

The BIOS is the first code run when a system is powered on, it checks for and loads any system devices such as video cards, keyboards, HDD and/or CD etc. The BIOS then looks for and loads software located on the primary disk in the order defined in the BIOS. This is called boot strapping where the system increasingly constructs the complexities of the full operating system.

The BIOS is generally designed for a given device with a basic knowledge of the system. The BIOS can also be rewritten to take advantage of additions or changes in the configuration of the the overall system.

 

A thread in this Alienware Forum,
Chris M "Dell Liaison" states that
the CPU isn't soldered.

m11x CPU upgrade? - Alienware Forum - Alienware Club - Dell Community

Can someone here, that has completely disassembled
an Alienware M11X R1, verify if the CPU is soldered or not?

I'm very much interested in purchasing a refurbished M11x R1,
especially with the 20% discount still available for a few more days.

 

dellchrism's post has been covered and refuted previously in this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/485267-m11x-proc-upgrade.html

 

Intel ONLY deploys soldered variants of the CULV C2D line. Something called Flip Chip Ball Grid Array, BGA standing for the array of solder balls (before they are melted into contact).

 

Thank you corwinicre for the link.

That's very informative and helpful.

That has guided me to just consider the M11x R2, or
just wait for the M11x R3 or a future, slightly larger screen
Alienware model without the hinge problems.

Sheesh, being on the actual Alienware forums, this so-called "Dell Liaison"
could've at least consulted with Alienware techs before posting
incorrect information.

Thank you jeremyshaw also for the additional info.

 

Hey guys, just wondering, is it possible to pop in a bigger harddisk in this laptop? I'm getting a bit tight with my discspace.

 

Yes, it is possible. See the service manual for removal/replace steps.
Documentation

As the op's question has been answered, closing thread.