Alienware M15X Upgrade

Hello every one,

I have an M15X and i never upgraded it. Its a 260M GTX, i720q, 8GB Ram, 320GB HDD. Windows 8.1 64-bit. 150 Power supply

Could you please suggest me the compatible GPU, Processor, SSD and Power supply for upgrades please ? Is it true if i upgrade the processor to 920 or 940 it can support 16GB ram ?

Can i have the ebay links for upgrades including thermal pads and paste please ?

And what vBios files would i need for what cards for my setup ?

Thank you

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

GTX 780m would be your best bet for the GPU as that's the fastest. If you want it to be a little less powerful, you could get the 7970m which is much cheaper. The Alienware subforum here has many people that will help you with the BIOS mods. It's just an executable file.

As for the CPU, 940XM is the furthest it can go. 16GB RAM will run perfectly fine in it as long as you have a x64 OS.

Any SSD should work.

 

780m and 940xm ... What psu will it require ?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

You can go with the 920XM as well to save some money. There isn't much difference between the 920 and 940XM You can also get 16GB ram. I would suggest the Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB 1600mhz ram. It will downclock to 1333Mhz fine and will be able to use the faster ram timings. Very reliable Micron chips on it as well. As for SSD's I would go with either Samsung or Intel SSD's due to their speed and reliability. Thermal paste you should stick with IC Diamond 24. As far as a PSU is concerned, try the 210w, 240W or 330W (330W is electronically limited to 240W unless you or someone you know has soldiering skill) PSU's. Do NOT get the 230W, it is not compatible with the M15x. I would personally go with the 240W+ PSU's, especially if you plan on overclocking the CPU/GPU. Hope this helps.

 

920 is dirt cheap than 940. How do u over clock processor ? Modified A09 bios or through some software ? What speeds do u stick to on ur 920 ? As far as the GPU is concerned, i need to look into the vBios thing ... What would you prefer 8970 or 780m gtx ? Which is more reliable and vBios available ?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

If you get the 8970M designed for Dell, it's plug and play. I would however get a vBios that undervolt's the GPU to 0.975V. There is ways to get or make the vBios if you get an 8970M. With the 780M, you will have to modify the drivers and disable onboard audio if I'm not mistaken. I have no experience with the nVidia series mobile GPU's my 8970M was rock solid @ 0.975V.

As for the 920XM, you can download a program called Throttle Stop. I would suggest updating your MB Bios to A09. There are plenty of guides on how to OC your CPU with TS on here. As far as recommended speeds, every chip is different so speeds I get may differ than what speeds your chip can yield. I tested 27/27/28/28 today for 4 hours and it has not given me an error with OCCT (CPU stress test program). That is 3.6Ghz on 3-4 cores and 3.7Ghz on 1-2 cores. Be sure to up the max turbo TDP to 80-85W or your CPU will throttle down to lower speeds.

Honestly, if and once you get any of this stuff...let us know if you run into issues and we can try to help at that point. Hope this helps. Be sure to pick up some IC Diamond 24 thermal paste for the GPU and CPU as well.

 

Thanks alot for ur help

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Is it possible to use the same undervolted vBios as yours (8970m) provided i have 920xm and 240 psu ?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

I'm not him, but yeah. Probably seeing as he has an M15x as well. Just ask him. You might need to have the same card as him though.

 

You have to be sure you have the same part number as me and the same vBios revision. If you get the dell version of the 8970M, let us know and we will help you undervolt the vBios.

 

Ok. Thank you

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

I am impressed! Is that Prime 95 stable too? Very impressed. I could only dream of such an OC without a voltmod. What temps were you seeing?
I am only pushing 1x multi higher than you....speechless if you have that stable in prime! With a voltmod you might easily be able to go past 4ghz on 3-4 cores!

 

Thanks! I have not tested Prime95. I used OCCT. I can test it with Prime95 to see if that is stable. I see temps around 76-79C. I don't really want to push it any further with a volt mod. I think 3.6Ghz is more than enough for me. I will try Prime95 and see how stable it is on 3.6Ghz on 3-4 cores and post results.

 

Yeah you are right. If you can push that far on stock volts leave it that way. I wanted to squeeze to 27x and managed to get better results than I hoped for. You are a lucky man!!

 

Not sure about the bios you would need but i know this laptop can take the gtx 880m if i were you i would get the 680m or 7970 and overclock the hell out of it lol anyways when you do so it will be even better then the 780m but with a great gpu you would need a better CPU i would go for the i7-920qm much cheaper and just about the same power as the 940. Now as far as ram go's I really don't know but yes you can also put a ssd in this laptop.

So the AMD 7970m is around $250-350 on ebay - Gtx 680 is around $450 - GTX 780 is around $550-600.

For your CPU a i7-920xm is about $170-250 where is the i7-940xm is around $320-400.


So here are the links to the CPU / GPU

i7-920xm - All Categories _odkw=i7+940xm&_osacat=0&_from=R40%7CR40%7CR40%7CR40&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313&_nkw=i7+920xm&_sacat=0


AMD 7970M - AMD 7970M GPU | eBay



GOOD LUCK.....

 

Thanks alott

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

780M is actually a decent card. If you find a good deal get one. The 880M not so much.

 

The Dell version will it be PnP ? What about the IDT onboard sound ? Do i have to still go through the tweaks and stuff ? And i will be using the .ini mod drivers ?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Does it require vBios voltage tweaks ?

I am deciding between 7970, 8970 and 780m gtx ... I have noticed that 7970 are expensive or about the same price as 8970 ... Wonder why ...

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

They are basically the same card. The 8970M is an OCed 7970M with an extra 2GB of vram that just adds more heat to the card.
Doesn't "need" it but you ought to. SVL7 the wizard of vbios has made fantastic, stable vbios mods for all NVidia cards. You would do well to flash the 780M with one of his 780M vbios files. Then you have to mod the inf file in the driver before you install it. However there is a guide for that on the net. It is easy if you follow the steps.

I can't comment about IDT audio. Although apparently that is easily worked around by simply disabling it at the bios screen. Simply run HD audio from GPU. The 680M apart from inf mod which you will HAVE to do to install drivers properly was PnP. Normal drivers work.

Put it this way though the 780M is a downclocked fully specced desktop GTX 680! It can deliver some serious power. I would have to OC the 680M(heavily downclocked desktop 670) to around 960mhz on the core to reach it's stock performance at 850mhz! 680M comes at just 760mhz stock and outperforms the 7970M stock for stock. The 8970M also is easily beaten with a small OC on the 680M.

So basically you will own with a 780M. The 880M features a ridiculous 8GB vram which is useless quite frankly and only increases power consumption and heat. This extra heat kills the stability of the card it seems. Plus it is basically otherwise just a higher clocked 780M. The 780M you can also clock up to 1ghz if your cooling holds out!

 

Thanks alot for clarifications. Just a quick question. Just to be dead sure. The 940xm processor supports 16GB like the 920xm right ? I will get a 920xm anyway

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

For the GPU, do i have to actually buy the Alienware versions or Clevo and MSI versions will do as well ? As on ebay the MSI and Clevo versions are cheap. I assume i will need a vBios flash before i even start using them or getting to windows at all ? Or should i strictly stick to the alienware versions ?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Lol it's because the 7970 is a faster card -- Radeon HD 8970M vs 7970M

 

The 920XM and the 940XM supports 16GB ram. The 8970M is actually faster than the 7970M. They are basically the same GPU but the 8970M has a 50Mhz faster clock and memory clock rate, has double the ram and That's it. It may actually be better binned so there would be more headroom to OC if undervolted. I would suggest the alienware/dell branded ones. They are plug and play. The clevo/msi versions are not guaranteed to work and mey not even display anything without a vBios update. A blind update at that. It really isn't worth that much hassle to save some money imo.

 

I have ordered the i7-920xm and crucial mx100 512GB SSD and all the ESD gear and the IC Diamond 24. As soon as i find a good deal on the GPU, i am gonna get the RAM you told me about and the 240W PSU. Does it have to be any Dell 240W PSU or any brand would work ? Can you please educate me on it :$

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Never had any problems with my Dell-branded 210W adapter but I hear the Delta-made 240W PSUs are better made and have a better overhead for overclocking and exceeding their 240W output. The alternative being flextronic, that are reported to have a higher failure rate and less able to exceed peak output rating.

 

Can you link to the so called delta PSU. I can't find it anywhere! lol

 

Does any 1 know if i will incur additional costs (custom/duties/tax) getting any GPU shipped from outside the UK ?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Applying thermal paste on CPU (920xm in particular). Do you use the spread or vertical line strategy ?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Actually i got the answer on Arctic Silver website and they have all the list of processor generations and what technique to apply on which one.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

That depends on customs on the UK and I am not sure about the shipping country. I would ask the seller who you would buy the GPU from before you purchase just in case. Congrats on getting the 920XM and the SSD. Let us know if you need any help or have any questions while setting it up. I would stick to the 240W adapter. The ram I told you about is fast and is still going strong on my M15x.

 

Genuine DELL 240W DELTA AC Adapter Charger Power Supply PA-9E UK Cable J211H | eBay

 

Ah I see but it is a slimline?
I can concur that flextronics one is rubbish though

 

I am currently confused between 7970m, 8970m and 780m ... My heart is with the 8970m due to it being PnP and less power draw than the 780m and no sound issues although that can be sorted. Wich 1 is easier to set up ? I think its the 8970m. Apart from the undervolt vBios did the 8970m require anything else ? Or was it literally up and running and performing OC through software ? Does the 8970m require the PSU pin tweak ? Basically i am looking for less hassle that would work fine with the stock m15x heatsinks and fans without issues as long as thermal pads and IC Diamond 24 are on the right places. Any suggestions ?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Tomorrow we get to hear more about the upcoming m295x I really urge you to hang on another month. By that point it will be for sale and at least you will be able to see some price drops on the older gen cards

 

Yep it appears to be the Slim one but as long as its made by Delta it doesn't matter, they use higher quality components. I'm pretty sure this PSU will solve your power delivery issues.
Didn't you buy a 330W PSU? Tried removing centre pin on that?

 

Indeed it shuts off at exactly 240w. The 240w wouldn't be enough. I plan to OC the 680M too!

 

People will be selling their old cards i have ordered 7 items from eBay including SSD, Processor, ESD gear, rubbing alcohol, Philips all in 1 screw driver, IC Diamond 24 and other bits and bobs. Just need to get a good deal on the GPU !!! "Upgradeyourlaptop" eBay seller sent me a msg on eBay and said they ship the cards with $25 value so when it reaches elsewhere in the world no extra custom/duty/tax. That's good news as well.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Congorats on getting everything. Aside from flashing the vBios on my 8970M, it was pretty much plug and play for me. As long as you get the undervolted vBios, it will run cooler than the 780M and even possibly cooler than the 7970M. Again, granted you get the Dell/AW branded 8970M's You should definitely definitely make sure there is proper contact with the GPU die and heatsink on any of your cards you get.

 

I am really really tempted with the 8970m would u help me with the vBios ? I have already prepared the bootable USB and have the flash files. Just need the vBios file. I was practicing making backups in DOS mode and from the window 8.1 command line within Windows. Both methods work.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Yeah, Just make sure you get a dell branded one. When you get it, be sure to use GPU-Z to save your current bios before changing it to another one.

 

680M is also a great card. If you are not afraid to OC then it will deliver even higher performance than the 8970/M290X due to it's crazy OCability.

Once I have the power to demonstrate I will show what this card can do inside the M15x with an overvolted 920xm

 

Didn't svl7 hit almost 9k in 3dMark 11 with that combo in his overvolted m15x?

Sent from my One S using Tapatalk

 

Overvolted? HAH! That m15x is on cocaine and pumped with steroids!

 

If this 680m is a good overclocker I hope to break 9k

 

I installed the 920xm last night with IC diamond 24. Does the CPU temp hit 50c - 55c - 60c idle ? Without OC or OV ? I used the same thermal paste on me crappy old 260M and the temp dropped from 53c - 55c idle to 38c - 40c idle. On both i used the line method to apply the thermal paste. Did i do something wrong with the CPU ? Different cores show different temperatures.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

That idle temp is similar to mine with ambient temps around 35-30 degrees C. I wouldn't worry too much.

Sent from my One S using Tapatalk

 

Line method is the preferred once isnt it ? So when u OC the 920xm, what temps does it hit and whats the max temp it can go ?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Not really sure what method I prefer but too much is bad. I usually go for something like a grain of rice in centre of die. My current temps are a little higher due to very high ambient temps here in Spain but gaming temps are usually around 70-80 depending on game at 3ghz. Pushing 3.3ghz at high core utilisation gives more like 80-90 degrees. This is with a cooling mod that you can see in my signature.

Sent from my One S using Tapatalk

 

Just the same temps as mine, dont worry. And i´m living in Spain too, as Fatboyslimer hehe.
Btw pals, what about the "Cool laboratory´s Liquid ultra" thermal paste? is it good stuff?
I have heard good references about this one, and It is high time for the year repasting ^^

PS: On topic question: What do you think about the very next 980m in the horizont? anybody thinking of keeping "the beast" alive with maxwell top tier?