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    M11x R2 Motherboard Upgrade

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by masterownedu, Mar 22, 2013.

  1. masterownedu

    masterownedu Notebook Enthusiast

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    So i've finally gotten a budget to buy a new motherboard to replace my crap i3 processor with an i7 processor finally, but i've been trying to search for a new motherboard and it has been impossible except I found this one motherboard that would fit my upgrade needs, but it seems that the motherboard only has 1 USB 2.0 port and my M11x has 3 USB ports.

    Here is the link:
    http://www.mrsparepartsonline.com/m...core-i7-640um-cpu-la-5812p-motherboard-6nv8c/


    I'm a little new to this computer upgrading and things, but if i upgrade my m11x with this motherboard will it affects my usb ports? I'm very confused as to how everything works. Please help me. thank you
     
    masterownedu, Mar 22, 2013
    #1
  2. qrzya

    qrzya Newbie

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    The other usb ports are on the daughter board with the audio jacks.
    You would use the one that is already in your computer.
     
    qrzya, Mar 23, 2013
    #2
  3. un4tural

    un4tural Notebook Evangelist

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    Would also suggest replacing thermal paste before actually replacing them, as it seems it will come with the heatsink attached.

    Will be a straight swap just remove old one and put new one in its place. Just don't forget to plug-in all the connectors back together.
     
    un4tural, Mar 23, 2013
    #3
  4. masterownedu

    masterownedu Notebook Enthusiast

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    oh okay then, but wait what do you mean by thermal paste? what would i have to paste back on?
     
    masterownedu, Mar 23, 2013
    #4
  5. un4tural

    un4tural Notebook Evangelist

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    between heatsink and CPU/GPU needs to be a filler substance; thermal paste. it helps conduct heat from cpu/gpu to heatsink and vent it off. i use this badboy http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arctic-Cool...CFLY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1364063124&sr=8-2 , theres plenty of guides on how to clean and apply it.

    Basically remove the heatsink/fan assembly clean the old thermal compound with, preferably, pure alcohol, apply a drop of the thermal paste of choice, i usually spread it evenly over the cpu/gpu bit that is meant to be in contact with the heatsink and finally screw the heatsink back on, all screws from one side to another to keep them on then tighter them again, from one side to another, to minimize possibility of air bubbles.
     
    un4tural, Mar 23, 2013
    #5
  6. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    This is true, there is a daughterboard on this machine that has some of the ports on it.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Mar 29, 2013
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  7. Eddierex

    Eddierex Newbie

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    Would OS or drivers need to be upgraded after a swap like this?
     
    Eddierex, Jun 7, 2013
    #7
  8. Alienware-Luis_Pardo

    Alienware-Luis_Pardo Guest

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    No drivers needed, just swap the board and repaste GPU/CPU.

    You might need to type in your service tag in the new mobo's BIOS (F2 at startup)
     
    Alienware-Luis_Pardo, Jun 11, 2013
    #8