New to Alienware...

I am thinking of picking up an M15x for my stepson as a gift. I am finding these on ebay for reasonable prices.

He doesn't need a lot of graphics power, but he does need some CPU power. He wants to start coding and his wife's laptop (and older Dell) just doesn't have the guns to do it.

Here are my questions:

1) What is the lowest spec CPU I can get in an M15x and still be able to upgrade to the 940qm? These can be had pretty cheap on ebay right now.

2) Any options I should look for in this model that I don't want to have to swap out later?

3) Anything I should be wary of?

4) Is this worth doing?

 

Hello,

1. If im not mistaking all Alienware laptops made by Dell (so not the old Area51 Alienware laptops) will be able to use the 940XM.
2. Dont think so, everything can be reached quite easily.
3. That you get the most recent version of Command Center (if you reinstal windows). More info: ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...not-use-command-center-your-resource-dvd.html) Because it will break the AlienFX.
4. Alienware laptops are quite expensive. If you dont care about looks and just want power, buying another brand might be cheaper.

 

Thank for the reply.

I am looking at one on ebay now that has an i3 CPU in it. I am still searching the net but have yet to find a solid answer if that one will take the 940XM.

I am seeing several m15x on ebay for under $500. All of them are running systems with an OS. That is within my budget. :thumbsup:


Edit: 940 XM, not 940 QM

 

Ok, I figured this out. The i3 model I was looking at is a socket G1. The 940XM is a socket G1 as well.

Socket G1 / Socket rPGA988A

 

Looks like a i7-920XM might be a better bang for the buck.

 

Yes 920xm is generally cheaper than 940xm, with only a few differences on overclocking between the too. Any Dell M15x can definitely run an i7 920xm for sure. Just don't get the old old old area 51 m15x with a core duo processor!

You may also want to include some decent thermal paste with a new CPU, such as ICD7, as these chips can get quite hot when over clocked.

Sent from my TouchPad using Tapatalk

 

^^ This is true, the 920XM is a great piece of hardware and should give you great performance.

 

There is a guy selling an m15x locally for $300

intel i7 820qm
GTX 260M
4GB
250GB HD

Deal or no?

The GTX 260M beats my Quadro FX 1800M (in sig). I could get an M4500 like mine for about the same money off ebay.

Opinions are welcome and encouraged. Don't hold back! :thumbsup:

 

Considering you can upgrade anything in this laptop I would say it's a deal. Also check the condition of the laptop, all the bruises and scratches, and if the Alienware FX is working properly.

 

Plods off to google "Alienware FX not working".

Returns...

The lights! Yes, there are pictures of the keyboard and touchpad lit up.

 

That is a pretty good processor too! Check the screen is 1080p and doesn't have too many dead pixels also. Check both GPU and CPU fans work. Could be a bargain if all is good.

Sent from my One S running Kitkat

 

I will when I see it. He says the battery is dead.

Sent with love from my Galaxy S4

 

Seems like a pretty sweet deal to me :thumbsup: Even with a dead battery.

 

Unfortunately it was sold before I could get to it.

So the search continues. Thanks to you guys I have a much better idea of what I am looking for.

Sent with love from my Galaxy S4

 

You should find an M15X with matte screen. Will help if working outdoors.


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