1st Gen m15x not working (GPU)

So I left my m15x in my room to have dinner and when I came back my m15x was stuck in a reboot cycle with corrupted gfx. It wasnt too bad, I could make out most of what was on screen, just about 30% of the pixels were missing or in a random place. Tried all the usual stuff and nothing worked. I booted using the intel GPU and everything is just fine. Rebooted using the 8800GTX and it goes back to being screwed up. Obviously my 8800GTX is fried.

I had taken an extended warranty which is valid till April (phew !). I have been having problems with the GPU for a while now, the fan would only go into hi speed after the GPU was at 103 degrees for 5 mins which I have spoken to AW about last year when I sent it in to fix the hinge, so this isnt entirely unexpected.

My question is, now that Dell has taken over AW and they arent giving out warranty extensions for the old m15x I am wondering what sort of solution they are going to offer ? I really do not want the new m15x since I LOVE the Smartbay and use the extra HDD and battery regularly.
I am assuming they will send a new GPU. Which one would you guys think would be a suitable/likely replacement - 9800GT, 260M or something from ATI ? Is the 260M compatible with the old m15x and is it as good as the 8800GTX ?
The worst part is I bought my lappy in the UK and Im in India now and will be for the next 3-4 months atleast and my dad passed away recently. I have a feeling they will try not sending me the gfx card or try and pull a stunt like that and even if I do I will have to pay duty on it

 

the gtx 260m does work on the m15x but i dont think dell supports that as an upgrade. you would also have to modify your heat sink to get the heat sink to be placed correctly on the gtx 260m. the gtx 260m is better than the 8800m gtx and the 9800m gt and 8800m gtx is the same.

 

Mortis, I sent you a pm.
I dont think it will be a problem for them to send it out to you. as long as you are in warranty. They may however put the shipping charges on you.
I took an extended 2 year plan which expires next year, so I have a year to play around with the new GPU. BTW, someone did get a 280 running in the m15x, except that it ran too hot for his comfort.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I would not want the 280m in my laptop because of the heat issues mentioned. The 260m is probably my best option although I wouldnt mind a 9800gt or 8800gtx either TBH, I am not greedy and perfectly happy with the performance.

Konig : Which GPU did they replace yours with ? Did you have to send the busted one back ?
Sent you a PM

 

Yep, the 8800 GTX. I ahd to return the original one. They also informed that at the outset that if they couldn't get a replacement 8800/9800, they would give me an equivalent system (Read:M15x). My bad luck, they found a spare

 

Mine went out a few weeks ago, I baked it in the oven, with the oven trick. And now it works better than ever. I did also put some BFG TECH memory heat sinks and stuck the a few of the short fin sinks to the heat sink on the GPU, this lowered my temps, I have not been able to get it to go over 88C now.

 

I dont really want the new m15x I love having the Smartbay, I use the extended battery and extra HDD all the time.

Konig how did you send the old one back ? and how much did it cost ?

 

Sent it via DHL, put it on their account Just put the account number you get in the mail on the airway bill, and that should take care of it.

 

Awesome thanks

 

if anyone wants a 9800 GT for this laptop, let me know I'll be letting mine go for a 260m. I'm sooo tempted to go with a 280 but I think the temps will be rough so ultimately I belive I'll go with a 260, which is cheaper and perhaps less stressful to have. Can someone link me or give me insight on getting that HDD smartbay, I'd like to have that as well.

I prefer this notebook to the new one as well purely for the size factor, and IMO I think it looks alot cooler, lol.

 

I guess you could try calling AW to see if they have the Smartbay HDD enclosure. They are pretty cheap. You could also see if someone on the forums wants to sell theirs.

 

Your best bet would be the HD 3870 (The ATI RADEON M88 XT 512MB HD3870 to be precise) From what I heard its only around 10% less powerful than the 8800m gtx.

I had the exact same issue with my m15x and the 8800m gtx, tried the oven trick several times but it was a recurring issue and because my laptop is out of warrenty, Alienware told me i could buy a new 8800m gtx or 9800m gt for 600 euros. Which in my opinion is definetly not worth it, so i ordered the HD3870 directly from Alienware for 189.89 euros, including the heatsink and bracket which I need (8800m bracket/heatsink don't fit the ati card) and it should be arriving here soon.

If you really wanna splash the cash on a card that will only last 1-1.5 years I suggest looking here:

http://rjtech.com/shop/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=167

280m gtx is definetly too hot for this lappy to handle, and the 260m requires some modification I believe if you want to fit it in the m15x, not 100% sure about that though. And btw, note the price of the 8800m gtx on that site.. $795 lol

So like I said, stick with the HD3870, alot cheaper as well..

 

You need to fix your sig, and I would have sold you a 9800 GT for the m15x for a really good price.

 

Why would I buy one when I can get it for free ?

 

I was talking to Arivie

 

Ooooh OK !