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    Upgrading from i7 720qm to 920/940xm?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Unbreakables, Mar 9, 2011.

  1. Unbreakables

    Unbreakables Notebook Guru

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    Hey guys, I'm currently sick of the performance of my processor. Due to the current workload i'm currently handling, it's just not enough. I'm thinking of upgrading my laptop current i7 720-QM to a Extreme class cpu.

    My questions is :
    1. Does my laptop support the I7-920/940XM?
    2. Does it require me to change the motherboard?
    3. What other powerful cpus are avaible for the M15x.

    I really need help, because my laptop is practically my portable desktop. Only ONE computer to run EVERY single thing. Work/Games/Movies/Photo-editing
     
  2. dttran83

    dttran83 Notebook Deity

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    1. yes
    2. no
    3. 940xm is the current max cpu M15x can take.
     
  3. Unbreakables

    Unbreakables Notebook Guru

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    Thanks alot! That's a fast reply that i really needed!
    One last question tho, probally the most important.

    Do I need to reinstall windows? Or reinstall anything at all?
    Or just changing the cpu's enough and done.

    Thanks ;D
     
  4. stevenxowens792

    stevenxowens792 Notebook Virtuoso

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    It's literally a disassemble the notebook, remove current cpu, clean heatsync and then install new cpu. Apply new thermal paste, seal up notebook, and then test. No reinstall of OS required.

    Good Luck, StevenX
     
  5. circuit

    circuit Notebook Evangelist

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    It more like a 10 min job. Couple of youtube videos out there as well. Just take the necessary precautions and you should be fine. After overclock, you will get a massive performance boost from the XMs.
     
  6. jarvmeister

    jarvmeister Notebook Consultant

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    I'd say for someone like the OP who's never done this before it would be more like a 30 minute job at least.
     
  7. maxilick

    maxilick Notebook Consultant

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    swapped out exactly the same cpu to the 920, it is a 1/2 hour job.
     
  8. Rogue-OP

    Rogue-OP Notebook Consultant

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  9. drkfire07

    drkfire07 Notebook Consultant

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    That version is a desktop cpu not a laptop cpu.
     
  10. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    x for "extreme" and m for "mobile"

    There are some good deals around for about 400$ from good sellers.
    Just search for intel 920xm on ebay.
     
  11. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    This is the way to read a processor:
    First read i7 which states what kind it is, obviously.
    Second if it is a 3 digit number then it is a first gen i7, 4 digit means it is Sandy Bridge and we can't use them.
    Third if there is a "M" it means it is mobile, so it is for laptops/notebooks
    Lastly if there isn't a letter before the "M" it is dual-core, if there is a "U" it is low voltage usually for netbooks etc, if it is "Q" then it is quad and if it is "X" it stands for extreme, so the cream-of-the-crop basically and also it usually highlights overclockability (all "X" version i7's have unlocked multi's).
    Hope this helps.
     
  12. Rogue-OP

    Rogue-OP Notebook Consultant

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    wow thanks, that info was hard to find for some reason. Rep to you and svl7.

    One question, the 4 digit ones are better/newer than the 720/920/940?
     
  13. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Yes, newer, faster and more efficient, but they won't work in the M15x. If you get a 920xm and use Throttlestop to adjust the multis, TDP and TDC values you will still beat most of the newer CPUs (possibly all except for the 2920xm) The 920xm / 940xm CPUs are really powerful!!
     
  14. Rogue-OP

    Rogue-OP Notebook Consultant

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    Wow this is making me really consider upping the CPU.

    Throttlestop is a software, does that make the overclocking dependent on the software or is it stored in some other memory. Basically what I'm trying to ask is, if I reformat my laptop in future, will I have to re-overclock?
     
  15. Kratzen

    Kratzen Notebook Consultant

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    IMPORTANT! Just to clarify before you buy: The m15x does NOT support the cpu´s with 4 digits (sandy bridge) only the 3-digit ones.
     
  16. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Ah oops that was a typo and it should have said "can't"
     
  17. inap

    inap .........................

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    you'll have to enable ts everytime you reboot.
     
  18. Rogue-OP

    Rogue-OP Notebook Consultant

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    Is there an automatic setting for that?
     
  19. inap

    inap .........................

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    you can make some pre set setting, then all you have to do is turn it on and choose one of them.
     
  20. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Yeah you set it in throttlestop and it saves it. Then add a throttlestop shortcut to the startup folder in your startmenu and it will be automatic.
     
  21. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    ^ I guess you need to disable UAC that it works when you put it in the autostart folder... I may be wrong though.
     
  22. shinob!

    shinob! Notebook Consultant

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    Am too thinking of getting a 940xm upgrade,but i read somewhere that the 9 cell battery is compulsory if we were to use the 940xm.Currently i only have the normal 6 cell battery.Can anyone clarify,thanks? :confused:
     
  23. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    I have both. Doesn't make any difference (apart from the battery life) if you have a 6 cell. Plus if you are still worried with throttlestop you can adjust and lower the TDP of the XM to lower levels and save some battery. But the 9 cell is not compulsary.
     
  24. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Yes, widezu is right, you don't need the 9cell battery, it will only give you a bit more battery life, but the processor will work perfectly with the 6cell too. I only have the standard battery and it works perfectly.
     
  25. shinob!

    shinob! Notebook Consultant

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    Ok,thanks for the info guys! will be fishing around for some cheap 940XM :p
     
  26. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    A 920XM will serve you as well as a 940XM and will usually be a $100 +/- cheaper. It's the same chip for all practical purposes and will deliver the same performance.
     
  27. kyo86sg

    kyo86sg Notebook Consultant

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    Was in the same sitution as u last dec, upgraded from 720qm to 920xm. Never look back...i big jump i experience was the PCSX PS2 emulator and GTAIV.... only managed to push 2.6ghz across all cores as cooling was a limiting factor in a hot country of mine~ :p
     
  28. shinob!

    shinob! Notebook Consultant

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    Haha,ordered a 920XM from ebay,price is USD 398 plus free shipping.The wait is killing me! :eek:
     
  29. mafiaboy01

    mafiaboy01 Notebook Consultant

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    Ya the 9X0xm processors are awesome, I only use Extreme processors now, nothing competes.
     
  30. Gr8gorilla

    Gr8gorilla Notebook Geek

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    I have two upgrades left to get my machine maxed out, and that is the XM processor and an SSD. I think the SSD will be next and the Processor may wait a bit.

    I have been eying they 920's on ebay, they are about 400 whilst the 940s are about 650+
     
  31. shinob!

    shinob! Notebook Consultant

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    Go for the SSD first,they make a significant overall impact.The 920XM i just ordered is the last piece of upgrade for my M15x.(drooling...) :D
     
  32. shizdan

    shizdan Notebook Consultant

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    How big of a boost are we talking here for gaming?
     
  33. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Really depends on the game, if it's a CPU intese game you will notice quite a difference, otherwise it's not that huge at all.

    But for photo merging tasks, video editing, encoding and similar it rocks and makes a 720qm almost obsolete :D
     
  34. shinob!

    shinob! Notebook Consultant

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    Ah yes,finally settled down my new 920XM,temp is 50 degrees at idle after apply MX-3,did a PCMark Vantage test,score 11805,wonder how it compares to other benchmarks? (too lazy to search :p )
     
  35. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Already used Throttlestop? If not, time to check it out!!
     
  36. shinob!

    shinob! Notebook Consultant

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    Tried out for a while,not really sure how to fully utilise it.Can only set multipliers to 16,wonder how much clock & chipset percentage should i modify?i think may have to reapply MX-3,a bit fussy about my temps.
     
  37. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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  38. shinob!

    shinob! Notebook Consultant

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    *slaps forehead* :eek: the often overlooked right-click,thanks for the hint! Will try it out later.Just re-done paste,now idle temp for both GPU & CPU is a more comfy looking 47-48 degrees. :D phew...