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    970m vs 980m upgrade advice

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by True Debreuil, Aug 14, 2018.

  1. True Debreuil

    True Debreuil Notebook Consultant

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    Hey guys so I have the option of getting a 970m for 200 AUD or I can get a 980m for 320-350 aud (depending on shipping). Which is the better upgrade for the m15x? I plan on doing some cooling mods so heat isnt as much an issue but I've seen some mixed views on the 970m vs 980m in the m15x and I'm wondering what everyone these days is recommending.

    Specs
    Cpu - i7 920xm
    240 watt adapter
    planning on adding either a 10 cfm or 13 cfm fan into the gpu cooler
     
  2. dean1keaton

    dean1keaton Notebook Enthusiast

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    The 970M is the easier path, and is 85-90% of what you would get with a 980M.

    The 980M needs a dual psu mod (240w x 2) and the svl7/johnksss vbios.
     
  3. True Debreuil

    True Debreuil Notebook Consultant

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    is it really 85-90% and do you 100% need a dual adapter even if not overclocking that heavily?
     
  4. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    if you are not using a 920/940xm, no. If you are, then yes.
     
  5. True Debreuil

    True Debreuil Notebook Consultant

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    So i do need a dual adapter as I have a 920xm or was that in reference to the bottleneck
     
  6. dean1keaton

    dean1keaton Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes the 970M is very close to the 980M. Unless you REALLY want the 10-15% gain then the 980M is not worth it, especially nowadays the 970M can be had for around $200 range, the 980M is still pricey,

    Even if you don’t OC, you will need a dual psu (not for 970M). 980M/920xm combo just takes too much power. You will either get major throttle, or you will get psu tripping.
     
  7. True Debreuil

    True Debreuil Notebook Consultant

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    Ah ok, sorry for all the questions just wanna make sure I get the best deal :p. So i can get the 970m for 150 USD or the 980m for 230 USD what would you go for? I have the 240 watt adapter is this definitely not enough for 980m (120 watt) and i7 920xm (75 watt) ?
     
  8. Taxifare

    Taxifare Notebook Enthusiast

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    I would suggest the 970m. Of course it depends on how high you are planning push your graphic settings on your games.
     
  9. True Debreuil

    True Debreuil Notebook Consultant

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    I'm hoping more I can achieve higher frame rates as I managed to get an 120hz overclock from my screen, but if the performance is going to be near the same I guess the 970m is a wiser choice. I intend on modding a 13 cfm fan in for the gpu so heat hopefully shouldnt be an issue
     
  10. MatsueMaiku

    MatsueMaiku Notebook Geek

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    For that price I recommend the 970m for sure.
     
  11. True Debreuil

    True Debreuil Notebook Consultant

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    money isn't the issue, I want the best performance, but if possible I'd like to refrain modding the laptop to the point where its no longer portable. I see most of you are running 980m's are you guys not satisfied with the performance or something? also Matsue are you running the dual PSU mod?
     
  12. dean1keaton

    dean1keaton Notebook Enthusiast

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    For $230 I take the 980M, that's a great price. That's what I would do (and did) anyway, and make the dual PSU. Performance is top for the M15x, that's the best you can get. This laptop is not really portable anyway, so make extra room for dual PSU in your carrying bag. There's no modding required on the laptop, this is a mod from external adapters.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2018
  13. True Debreuil

    True Debreuil Notebook Consultant

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    Excellent well I decided to go with the 980, the 970 ended up selling to someone else anyway. Is there a link for the dual psu mod?
     
  14. DNOYA

    DNOYA Notebook Guru

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    ---
    Hi if money is not the issue, just baying the New Alienware rather than spend your time to modified and later on you will facing a lot of problem like the thermal is too hot, performnce not stable, blue screen, lack of power in the end you just trow your AW to the dump :D
    btw just a kidding, I have bought GTX 970M since 1 month ago until now is still in transit in Singapore :( the price around 224 USD. in aliexpress. before i bought i have consult through forum they said better 970M.
     
  15. True Debreuil

    True Debreuil Notebook Consultant

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    Ahh thats a shame, haha if i were to buy the new bga models it would cost me about 5x as much as I paid for no major performance gains in the games I play. My 980m is luckily in Australia and I got it off ebay so i got that buyer protecion :D. I really just wanted a laptop project I could work on and mod a bit
     
  16. MatsueMaiku

    MatsueMaiku Notebook Geek

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    I haven't done the dual PSU mod yet. I have to run the CPU at stock voltage with a 240W single PSU to get the 980m running around 85% or so of it's potential.
     
  17. sL1pKn07

    sL1pKn07 Notebook Enthusiast

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    opps, wrong thread
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2018
  18. sL1pKn07

    sL1pKn07 Notebook Enthusiast

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  19. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    buy MSI 1070 mxm and test then
     
  20. True Debreuil

    True Debreuil Notebook Consultant

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    I would have bought the 1060m if you werent so confident they didnt work ;)
     
  21. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    Fortune favors the bold, the best discoveries are made in accidents, I would go for it if I were you.
     
  22. True Debreuil

    True Debreuil Notebook Consultant

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  23. M18x-oldie

    M18x-oldie Notebook Evangelist

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    The Clevo ones need additional power (and are very oddly shaped), look for the MSI ones.
     
  24. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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  25. Mastermind5200

    Mastermind5200 Notebook Virtuoso

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