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    Put Sandy Bridge in?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Infin1ty, May 14, 2011.

  1. Infin1ty

    Infin1ty Notebook Geek

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    This is probably a stupid question, but I'll go for it anyways.

    Is it possible to replace the 720QM with a 2720QM?

    I'm pretty sure it's not, I think they have different architecture and the motherboard probably wont support it but I just wanted to double check.

    If someone has managed to do it I'd be greatly interested how.

    Thanks in advance!
     
    Infin1ty, May 14, 2011
    #1
  2. Nivaku

    Nivaku Notebook Evangelist

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    not possible totally different chipset, but if you were to get the 920xm or 940xm cpu - they are still pretty decent. i'm using the 920xm right now and it's performance is outstanding for a laptop.
     
    Nivaku, May 14, 2011
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  3. Infin1ty

    Infin1ty Notebook Geek

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    Really? Well that's a little disappointing, but I guess the 940XM will be fine for my purposes. I see you also have the blu-ray reader. Mine has just CD/DVD. Do you know where I could find one?
     
    Infin1ty, May 14, 2011
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  4. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    The 940xm is only a higher binned 920xm and thus has the standard multi raised by one... so if you want to save some bucks get a 920xm ES from ebay... if money doesn't matter get a 940xm.
     
    svl7, May 14, 2011
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  5. Infin1ty

    Infin1ty Notebook Geek

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    And then just OC it? I never would've thought of that, thanks svl7
     
    Infin1ty, May 14, 2011
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  6. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Yes, indeed. Well usually you will be able to get a little bit higher when benching with a 940xm, but a 920xm should be able to get 25x - 26x across all cores as well.
    With a 940xm you have higher chances to reach 27x across all cores, but that will make your CPU run so extremely hot that it's only something for benching. Price/performance goes clearly to the 920xm.
     
    svl7, May 14, 2011
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  7. Unbreakables

    Unbreakables Notebook Guru

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    I think we have to change the entire mobo for a sandy bridge cpu upgrade? Correct me if im wrong
     
    Unbreakables, May 14, 2011
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  8. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Yes, it would need a complete motherboard revision to make it work, won't happen... apparrently... Dell killed the M15x :(
     
    svl7, May 14, 2011
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  9. Jdpurvis

    Jdpurvis Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes - and I do not believe that there is a Sandy Bridge motherboard that would fit. However, the 920/940 xm series is very fast.

    ANd the upgrade process is not bad if you follow the guides available here.

    Joe
     
    Jdpurvis, May 14, 2011
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  10. alvinkhorfire

    alvinkhorfire Notebook Consultant

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    It is frequently mentioned here that there is no difference in performance between the Engineering Sample (ES) of Intel processors and the final version of the processors. Then again, shouldn't the ES version run slightly hotter, since it does not have the latest revision compared to the final version?
     
    alvinkhorfire, May 15, 2011
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  11. ichime

    ichime Notebook Elder

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    A Sandy Bridge CPU would fit in an older socket (Calpella) since Calpella has one more socket over SB. But it probably won't boot up. Would be nice if it did :/
     
    ichime, May 15, 2011
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  12. Jdpurvis

    Jdpurvis Notebook Evangelist

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    It is not clear to me that there are any documented changes between ES and final version of these processors, other than the "ES" designation. In any case, the experience here has been that they do not run hotter (though if you push all 4 cores hard, any of them will run hot.

    Joe
     
    Jdpurvis, May 15, 2011
    #12