Thinking Of Buying i7 920XM Already Help!

Hey guys, after a few weeks of just receiving my M15x I'm thinking of buying an i7 920XM as I found 2 dealers on ebay which are shirleyscpu and extremeprocessors for very good prices (are these trusted dealers? where do you guys buy yours from?) and I was just wandering do I have to remove the panel/touch strip to install the CPU? can I not skip that part or is it mandatory to get to the CPU? And how much faster is it than my 740QM? Will I get a lot more FPS in games? And is there a video guide to show the full process of installing the CPU in the M15x and not the breakdown video? Cheers

 

I hear shirlescpu's are good a few people here have used it and i bought mine from extreme processors,it arrived within 5 days i think.
here is a link i made a comparison before and after 920xm installation with a selection of games, http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/562070-before-after-benchmarks-920-940xm.html though the cpu isn't so important in gaming,but i can say my whole system feels faster in windows and general multi tasking.
there are videos on you tube but i used a guide by Inap,it's in his sig and is the thermal paste guide,but it shows you all you need to know for changing the cpu
Be sure to use throttle stop to get the most from the 920xm http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...et-upgrades/531329-throttlestop-guide-42.html

 

yeah they r both good i bought my from laptop monkey (uk) and recieved it in about 4 days, its simple plug and play, just remember to thermal paste (and better thermal pads) and anti static protection. the 740 is runs at 6m cache, 1.73ghz and 920 8m, 2.00ghz, the major advantage is that the 920 is overclockable, and the 740 not so. your only unsnapping the touch strip to remove the rear vents... u might be able to get away with out doing it but ive never tried it that way. here a teardown vid YouTube - Alienware M15x Teardown 1 of 3 **READ SAFETY PRECAUTIONS PRIOR TO REPLACING PARTS** (Official Video).

and alway power drain before gutting your system

 

thanks for the info guys and damn you 2 having the 920xm lol. I really want one but it will be my first time opening up a laptop and installing a component in one, is it as easy as doing it on a desktop? I can install anything on a desktop but laptop seems trickier.

 

If you know what your doing in a desktop you should be ok in this laptop. you must read these forums and check that youtube vid out and again Inaps guide is so easy to understand and step by step instructions it helped me a lot I was the same as you pretty confidant in desktops,unsure in laptops.
Your gonna have to open it to give it a good clean in the future anyway.
Just post any questions you have on these forums and someone is sure to help you out .Truly some of the friendliest forums I've ever used.

 

You should also download the M15x Service Manual, which includes instructions and illustrations for removing and replacing the processor and the related fan assembly and heatsink. Alienware: Online Documentation. The Service Manual, together with Inap's Thermal Paste Guide ( Download THERMAL PASTE GUIDE.rar from Sendspace.com - send big files the easy way, removes the mystery from replacing a processor and serves as a detailed walk-through. You should have no trouble at all if take your time and follow the instructions. It is also worth reviewing the official Alienware teardown video on YouTube referred to above, along with the two companion videos, for background.

 

ahhh cheers guys just watched that video properly and looked at inaps guide as well and starting to get the know hows on the system this forum is making me more comfortable to do this now! Do you recommend taking the vents out to replace the cpu and re-paste the gpu/cpu? Cause if you didn't have to do that then I'll be more than happy and comfortable to replace and re-paste my system cause I feel like I'll damage the touch panel bit and vents. And once I do get my 920xm running what do you suggest having it clocked at for average gaming and just average everything really. I'm not gonna be using it for any benchmarking or anything at all apart from gaming, normal usage i.e. watching videos, internet surfing.ect and just 3DMARK06 and vantage.

 

you have to take out the little metal vent pieces before removing the gpu/cpu heatsinks. otherwise the tailend of the copper heatpipe will be stuck.

just take it nice and slow with the touch panel ribbon cable (i hate those things).

the 920xm is a great processor, a true desktop performer in a laptop formfactor. I got mine from laptopmonkey (uk) same as Mexic00ls.

 

In your first post it sounds like you think you NEED to get the 920xm instead of your 720.. The 720 will work great for almost all new games, since they are usually gpu-dependant.

 

You really need to remove the vent on the CPU side to remove and, perhaps more importantly, replace the CPU heatsink. There is no need to remove both vents if you're not also going to repaste the GPU. I understand your reluctance with the touchpad panel; I still get a little nervous (with no cause at all) removing the panel if it's been a while since the last visit. Fortunately, the panel is tough. Just go slowly and be gentle, but it does take a moderate amount of force to pop it up and out. Once out, be careful to leave the connecting ribbon cable plugged in to avoid the later hassle of getting it properly reconnected.

There are lots of threads addressing the o/c'ing of the 920/940xm. It's better to wait until you get it installed and ThrottleStop active before worrying too much about o/c settings. It is o/c possibilities that make the whole extreme processor swap worthwhile -- and fun.

 

when u remove your touch panel u dont even have to remove the ribbon just unscrew (4) screws and put it back in place... if u brake the panel(im sure u wont) u can buy a spare from inap...lol, u should do a repaste just for practice sake and get familiar with the process. if u have worked on a desktop this shouldnt be pretty simple

and if u looking to overclock start reading this dont get annoyed take your time and read it over a couple of times youll understand it http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...arket-upgrades/531329-throttlestop-guide.html

 

I've removed that panel countless times and haven't broken it yet, however I did manage to damage the ribbon cable that goes from the panel to the m/board. So just be careful with that because those ribbon cables are rather fragile. Problem with them is the more you remove and re-insert them, the little terminals start deteriorating and could break. Getting a replacement was hell as well.

You can do what Mexic00ls said and just pop off the panel without removing the ribbon cable just to get to the vents. Then pop the panel back in place, close the lid, and work on the CPU.

 

Awesome yeah I'll start with a repaste to get the idea of it and how much is the panel from inap?

 

You can do what Mexic00ls said and just pop off the panel without removing the ribbon cable just to get to the vents. Then pop the panel back in place, close the lid, and work on the CPU.

This.

 

He has a new for $20 and a used for $10. Here check for yourself. http://forum.notebookreview.com/com...ps-alot-alienware-laptop-parts-m17x-m15x.html

 

and what do you mean by better thermal pads mexicools? Is it not just a re-paste job on both the gpu and cpu? I thought thermal pads are the alternative way to "paste"

 

Download THERMAL PASTE GUIDE.rar from Sendspace.com - send big files the easy way
here you'll find inaps thermal paste guide, when u get to the bottom of page one, you can see a couple of strips (that look like stick of gum) that sit between the vram and heatsink thats your thermal pads, your paste goes on the actual die

 

Quick additional question - I've got the paste (MX-3), and new pads and cleaner stuff are on the way, along with my new processor. When replacing the pads, do they go on as is, or should I apply paste to the chip side?

Thanks,

Joe

740QM (soon to be 940xm), 1600x900, 8 GB, 260m, 320 GB (soon to be replaced with Momentus XT 500).

 

No, don't apply paste on the thermal pads. Also, try to use a pair of latex gloves when handling the pads. Oil and debris from your fingers can actually hinder their performance.

 

Thanks! Will let you know how it works out.

Joe

 

I wanted to buy from ebay.. it's so cheap but I noticed that all were ES units..

I wanna ask.. Does ES really differ much from the OEM version?

 

OEM and retail versions carry some kind of warranty whether from Intel or the company. ES are pre sales samples so the actual sales of them is kinda shady.

 

Your not gonna find an oem for less than a grand, the es (qs) will work just make sure the pins arent damaged and that its seated properly and everything should be fine. Mine is an es and its running properly,but it completely up to u if u want to get one.... many users here have purchased an es model and i havent heard of any problems with them

 

like Mexic00ls said, ES or QS (both the same correct me if im wrong) all have the exact same clocks and cache as the OEM version unless they changed it at the very last minute which i doubt. I haven't heard anyone as of yet on this forum having a problem with a 920xm ES chip or 940xm in that matter. As long as its from a non "shady" ebay seller then its all good try people like extremeprocessors, laptop monkeys or shirleyscpu. I just ordered mine from laptop monkeys and they give you a 1 year warranty