No idea where to buy a graphics card at

Hi I am looking to upgrade from my GTX 260m. I would like to get either a GTX 460m or the AMD Radeon HD 6970M. I called Alienware, and the price for the GTX 460m is $385 and they didnt have a AMD Radeon HD 6970M available. That price seems outrageous. Can anyone point me in the right direction for buying one of those two cards? I have looked and I don't know the first thing about where to buy one.

 

Here on the forum in the Marketplace > Computer Components or eBay.
I recently sold a GTX 460m for $80

 

What manufacturer should I get though? Seems like there are a bunch who make these cards, just want to make sure I get the right one.

 

dell would work without a hitch, clevo probably wouldnt have auto fan controls. just make sure you get proper x bracket

 

Dell Alienware M18x M17x M15X NVIDIA GTX 460M 1 5GB Video Card | eBay

How does this one look? Seems pretty cheap. Is it the right thing?

 

Yeh that isn't a bad price but you might want to get a more powerful card. Gtx 460m won't play new games on highish settings.

 

You can offer close to that here: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M GTX 680M 2GB DDR5 MXM 3 0 VGA Video Card for Laptop | eBay, and get a GTX 680M, which will blow your mind in comparison to that 260M you're currently rocking.

Not sure if the M15x can support the 680M, though. I did find this: [Guide] M15x with Nvidia GTX 660m, so, it should work just fine. :thumbsup:

 

I heard the Radeon 6970m would be the way to go. Is that correct? Are there any heating issues?

 

What kind of budget are you working with?

The link I provided above is a decent price for an excellent card, way better than the 6970M you are considering. If I'm not mistaken, I think the 680M is like having two 6970M's.

There's also a 580M which is about the same as the 6970M: Alienware Nvidia GeForce GTX 580m 2GB DDR5

 

What would be optimal would be a card off of the Dell website, because I already have a credit card account with them. Are you sure that 680m would even work with my laptop?

 

The 680M should work, yes. If Dell has a 680M for sale, it will be like $599 or more.

This member: http://forum.notebookreview.com/member.php?u=409256 has a GTX 680M in his M15x. I strongly urge you to consider the 680M. When overclocked, it is basically the same as the 780M at stock.

 

I am gonna search for that on the Dell website. The only problem is I have no experience with tweaking or overclocking or any of that kind of stuff. Would this be a plug and play kind of thing?

 

You'll need to follow the guide I linked in the first page ( seen here). It is plug and play. You may need thermal pads and other stuff, definitely a good thermal paste like IC Diamond.

As for overclocking, there's no need. I was just making a point... The 680M is like having 4+ 260M's working together, LOL. You will be very happy.

 

I am having trouble finding this card on Dell's website. In fact, I am having trouble finding any notebook cards at all. Have you ever tried searching for them on their website?

 

You will likely have to call and speak with someone.

 

I offered $175 on that 680m. I am guessing that it will get rejected, but I will see if I can work it from there. Next question, where do I get that copper shim that was described in that link you posted for installing the graphics card?

 

I doubt that offer will be accepted. He's probably looking for $350+, which is good.

The copper shim is this, I believe: Dell Alienware M15x M17x Video Card Copper Shim.

Note: That guide I linked is for the 660M, not the 680M, some things may be different, but the process should be identical. And also, these parts MAY NOT work. You need to ask the person selling it and maybe even consult other member's here who have the 680M in their M15x, like this guy: TricksterMatt. I bet he's more than willing to answer your questions, maybe even help you.

EDIT: I've sent him a PM on your behalf. :thumbsup:

 

Thank you for sending the PM! I am really trying to get this project rolling, and since I don't have any experience with this stuff I am relying on help from the knowledgeable members here! I have already ordered that diamond thermal paste stuff and bought a set of precision screwdrivers. I would definitely love to go with the 680m instead of the 460m, cause I would probably just need to end up upgrading that 460m anyways.

 

BTW my motivation for this is gaming. I play Diablo 3, and right now I run everything on the lowest settings and it still bogs down BIG TIME when there are massive packs of enemies.

 

You won't have to worry about that with the 680M, this thing is powerful. You should watch some videos on YouTube.

 

Am I also correct that just putting new thermal paste on would help too? It has not been changed since I got the laptop in 2010.

 

Yes, a proper repaste should keep temperatures in the low 70's under stress. It doesn't necessarily improve performance but can eliminate throttling.

 

Looks like I found a good video too. Seems I may need a new power adapter for that card as well :
AMD Radeon HD 7970M and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M upgrade in Alienware M15x - YouTube

 

Ah, yes, you may need a power adapter. 180W to 240W max.

I'm hoping that member posts and helps you out. He's got the 680M in his M15x.

 

Hello zaitsev72, J.Dre did send me a pm saying you wanted to get a GTX 680m in your alienware. You don't need no copper shimming mod or anything, it is simply a plug and play as all you need to get is a GTX 680m card with an x-bracket installed on it. I strongly suggest you get a dell one which is the 2GB version as the clevo version is 4GB and their have been issues regarding that the clevo version doesn't output hdmi and fan controls etc.

Also I suggest getting some IC Diamond 7 carat thermal paste and some Phobya XT 1mm thermal pads ^_^. Also get a 240W ac adapter which the higher end alienware laptops use as it will run much cooler and output enough juice to power all the components. Also make an account on techinferno as you need to download the required vbios mod which you need to flash your graphics card with which allows the GTX 680m to run on stock clocks as well as no throttling issues (random fps drop in games etc.).

Everything you need to know about the GTX 680m is on techinferno with detailed guides on how to flash the vbios mod as well as installing the latest nvidia drivers with inf modding. It may sound like a lot of work to get this card up and running but it really isn't as I was in the exact situation as you when I wanted to upgrade from my GTX 460m. Once you do get it running you will have an insanely powerful laptop which is like 4-5 years old with one of the fastest mobile GPU out at the moment combined with your 940xm you will be destroying games like it's nothing. Also if you snoop around eBay you will be able to find a GTX 680m relatively cheap as I brought mine for £193! (310 USD) which is an absolute bargain. Hope this helps

 

That's great advice. I'm glad it's plug and play! Thanks for helping out, Matt.

+1 rep. :thumbsup:

 

Nvidia GTX 680m modified VBIOS = NVIDIA Kepler VBIOS mods - Overclocking Editions, modified clocks, voltage tweaks
Nvidia VBIOS flashing guide = [GUIDE] NVIDIA VBIOS flashing

 

I can't help but think something else may be wrong with my computer as well. My temperatures are pretty hot, around 85 degrees and I cant even play Candy Crush without is lagging.

 

Buy the thermal paste we are all suggesting (IC Diamond) and slap it on the CPU and GPU. There are videos on YouTube on how to paste, if that's a concern.

It will be much easier than you think, and the outcome will be insane.

 

Thanks for the great info! I am going to follow all of that to the T, because this laptop is definitely struggling right now lol.

 

So Trickster this GPu that J.Dre suggested would work?
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M GTX 680M 2GB DDR5 MXM 3 0 VGA Video Card for Laptop | eBay

 

Yes, that card is the Dell variant and would work with your m15x

 

Now, that one doesn't appear to have that crossbar thing. I need to purchase one correct? Any suggestions?

 

Yes you need to purchase the x-bracket, here is one from eBay = GPU Spreader x Bracket for MXM 3 0B NVIDIA GTX and Quadro with Matching Screws | eBay

 

This paste will work won't it?
Innovation Cooling ICD24 Diamond 24 Carat Thermal Compound

Also, is there a specific type of power adapter I need? I found this one for cheap on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Del...=Laptop_Adapters_Chargers&hash=item19d6337a87

 

The 24 carat and 7 carat IC Diamond are the same. The only difference is how much paste you get. The 7 carat one is more than enough.

As for the PSU, yes, that should work. But it is used, so beware.

 

Found an even cheaper one:
Genuine Dell Alienware 240W Slim AC Adapter CN 0J211H 48661 275 1XB4 A05 | eBay

$20 and it says New, but gently used. Too good of a deal you think?

ETA just read that is a starting bid. damn lol

 

Ok I think I found the one. It says brand new, and only 40 dollars. Just to make sure, is this the correct charger?
New Original Dell Delta J211H PA 9E 240W 19 5V 12 3A AC Adapter | eBay

 

Should be fine. Looks like that person is accepting returns, just incase.

 

Ok power supply and the bracket have been ordered. Now just waiting for that seller to reject my very low first offer so I can offer 375.

 

That's great. Now we wait and hope everything works. Be sure to upload some gameplay videos after you're done! I'd love to see how the M15x handles the 680M. You should be able to play every game on High settings, including Tomb Raider and Battlefield 3. But, those games are also pretty CPU heavy...

 

The M15x handles the 680M very well. It will run any game at max settings.

Don't underestimate the 940xm yet! With proper cooling he can run it at 25/26/27/28x yes that is 3.33ghz across all cores without any voltmods, this at 100% load mind you not just a bench. Either way it won't bottleneck the 680M no matter how hard he pushes it so long as he is willing to push the CPU equally hard. Like me for example

Then in the future with simple voltmod both 920 and 940 chips are capable of running 27x across all cores in the M15x without overheating issues. Don't worry about CPU power OP. It may not be haswell but actually it isn't so very far behind! VERY hot though. Luckily steps can be taken to take care of that.

 

Haha, great to hear. :thumbsup:

If all goes well, he's going to be shocked at the performance increase over the 260M, LOL.

 

How are you planning on doing the volt mod? I've not read anything about volt mod on our machine.

 

Update, I have ordered the card as well now. All parts are in the mail and should be here on Friday. Can't wait to do this! I hope you guys are ready for lots of questions cause this is my first time doing any computer work lol.

 

Haha, grats man! I'm glad another member has joined the super powerful m15x upgrade path! You won't be disappointed. You will be able to destroy every game easily. And if you overclock the 920xm/940xm to like 24x all cores (3.2 ghz) throughout + that 680m = super super powerful laptop that will even destroy some desktops.

 

No? Svl7 did it a couple of years ago.

 

In the meantime, is there any reason why all cores are overheating when doing simple tasks on my computer? Such as playing Candy Crush?

 

Have you used monitoring software like CPUID to get exact numbers? You may need a repaste.

 

Whats your room ambient temps and like J.Dre said use a software liike HWMonitor and tell us what your CPU core temps are reading. I think you just need new thermal pads and a new re-paste and do you use a laptop cooler beneath your laptop?