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    Thinking of upgrading to 920XM/940XM, worried about throttling

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by daparky, Mar 29, 2011.

  1. daparky

    daparky Notebook Enthusiast

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    I currently have the m15x with a i7 740qm and will be upgrading to the 920 or 940xm but worried about all this throttling issue.

    My system is equiped with:-

    4GB ram
    Radeon 5850
    Bios A09
    9 cell battery (but i always use the mains)

    I'm happy with my 740qm for now but i may need more power in the future. Will the 920xm or 940xm work properly on it's own with no software to help it from throttling?
     
  2. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    No problem at all. Check here if you want to see it. The Rev just made a nice run to prove it for someone else.
     
  3. circuit

    circuit Notebook Evangelist

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    With BIOS A09, 920/940XM will work without throttling.
     
  4. daparky

    daparky Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for that.

    Can anyone else confirm who has one with similar specs to mine.
     
  5. Jdpurvis

    Jdpurvis Notebook Evangelist

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    Quick question - I have a 940mx on the way to replace my 720QM. Am running the 64 bit Win 7 that came on the laptop - no problems. With the change in processor, what is the likelihood that Windows will decide it is on a different machine and invalidate the install. I have had occasional issues with a processor/mobo install on my desktop - wound up having to call Msoft and explain that it was the same machine.

    Thanks,

    Joe

    720Qm, 8GB of 1333 ram, 1600x900, Nvidia 260m
     
  6. LxGST

    LxGST Notebook Consultant

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    Slim to nil Jdpurvis. I highly doubt that you'll have any trouble installing new hardware, it should just be plug-in-play. If you have any issues at all, I'd be extremely surprised.
     
  7. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    It's plug and play, no problem at all. With a good preparation it's really an easy job. Make sure you have some thermal paste around and something to clean the old paste from the heatsink. ESD-protection is recommended.

    Btw, 600x900, nice screen :D
     
  8. Jdpurvis

    Jdpurvis Notebook Evangelist

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    Oops! - fixed the typo. I've got a fresh packet of MX3, and stuff to clean the old paste off - I've been playing with throttlestop to learn about it, though not needed for the 720Q. Am expecting a big bump in performance.

    Joe