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    AW M15x

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Mcrash, Sep 13, 2018.

  1. Mcrash

    Mcrash Newbie

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    Hello,

    I cant find tutorial to install 8970m/R9 m290x in M15x.
    I have this card from dell. What I need to do to instal this card?
    Do I need to modify my laptop's bios or GPu vbios.
    What if I have a black screen after installing the GPU.
    I need every help, please send any informations, tutorial or websites with helpfull informations.
    Did this card work well in my M15x?
    Specs:
    -i7 720qm ( i want upgrade it too )
    -GTX 260m
    -12GB RAM DDR3
    -HDD 500GB

    Please help me,
    Sorry for bad english :D I still learning this language.
    Regards
     
  2. Danishblunt

    Danishblunt Guest

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    Update BIOS to the latest unlocked.

    Upgrade GPU like this:


    If its a dell card, then it should work now.
     
  3. Mcrash

    Mcrash Newbie

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    Where i can find a unlocked last bios to m15x?
    Why BIOS need to be a unlocked? lagancy mode like msi gt780?
    Do i need to change settings in BIOS before i plug card?
     
  4. Danishblunt

    Danishblunt Guest

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    Because you wanted to upgrade your CPU, as far as I know the overclock control and such are terrible on stock BIOS.

    Unlocked Bios here
    I believe optimal default should be fine, but not 100% sure. You can ask @Raidriar about settings and such.
     
  5. Mcrash

    Mcrash Newbie

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    Thanks :) I give info about this upgrade in this topic.
     
  6. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    Bad idea to put 8970M/R9 M290x in M15x....no native fan control. Only good cards for M15x are Dell 7970M, Dell 680M, Clevo/Dell 970M, and Clevo/Dell 980M
     
  7. Mcrash

    Mcrash Newbie

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    I have next question in my stock GTX 260m when i move laptop i see artifacts on screen and when i move faster laptop or shake it - artifacts and screen goes black. Somebody have it too?
     
  8. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    GPU dying, must replace
     
  9. Mcrash

    Mcrash Newbie

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    GPU works good! If I montage a 480Gb SSD it wil be perfect and i run bench or games :)
     
  10. Mcrash

    Mcrash Newbie

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    Next question :D How control fans in GPU because they are non-stop working.
    I know 8970m does not support native fan control. Somebody have programs/software fot control it? Thanks for help.
     
  11. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    HWInfo can give fan control
     
  12. Mcrash

    Mcrash Newbie

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    Ok thanks, now what to do with fps drops in games. I have throttlestop but it not work, how to configure it? I have max. 70 degrees celsius in Gpu in The Witcher 3. Cpu unit have max. 50 What I need to do with this throttling. I feel like it it Cpu is blocking Gpu Performence.
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2018
  13. 2CPU

    2CPU Notebook Evangelist

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    HWInfo program
     
  14. Mcrash

    Mcrash Newbie

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    Ok, but what now? If Cpu reach 53 degrees Celsius then are fps drop.
     
  15. Jdpurvis

    Jdpurvis Notebook Evangelist

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    Throttlestop acturlly works very well on this machine. There is an entire forum on Throttlestop on this site, full of tips about how to make it work well. If you search this forum, you will also find lots of posts, including a detailed instruction manual. Throttlestop has been updated since it was first used for the M15x, thanks to its author, UncleWebb.

    Best,
    Joe
     
  16. King of Interns

    King of Interns Simply a laptop enthusiast

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    Agreed with post above. Throttlestop will eliminate any throttle problems. That said your 720qm is a bottleneck for sure. Get a 920xm for 80 bucks use throttlestop to clock it 50-60% faster than the 720qm and thank me later.