Ati Radeon Mobility HD 5870 on M15x or M17x

Instead of replying to the numerous threads discussing the issue, I will post the Dell response on this new thread.

Alienware M15x
The Ati Radeon Mobility HD 5870 wattage range exceeds the Alienware M15x qualification. At the higher wattage, the Mobility HD 5870 may or may not function in the system, but will cause the temperature of the system to exceed the thermal design rating. Because of this, we chose to go with the Ati Radeon Mobility HD 5850. The Dell warranty does not cover the upgrade to the Mobility HD 5870. These are the Dell validated video cards:
KCTKH Nvidia GeForce GT 240M
WDXVH Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M
NTVGT Ati Radeon Mobility HD 5730
K6654 Ati Radeon Mobility HD 5850

Alienware M17x R1
In regards to upgrading to the Ati Radeon Mobility HD 5870 on the Alienware M17x R1, Dell has no plans to qualify and warrant the system with that GPU configuration. But, if as an individual user you want to purchase the card and upgrade it yourself, there is nothing stopping you. We just want to be clear that we are not guaranteeing functionality of the card with the BIOS and driver set. Nor can we warranty any hardware failures that may happen as a
result of running the Ati Radeon Mobility HD 5870 in a non-qualified platform. These are the Dell validated video cards:
96RJ4 Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M (Primary)
4WGVV Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M (Secondary with SLI cable)
X648M Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M (Primary)
X203R Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M (Secondary with SLI cable)
G51FX Ati Radeon Mobility HD 4870 (Primary)
NHCHW Ati Radeon Mobility HD 4870 (Secondary with CFX cable)

 

Thanks for the update. I don't think either of those announcements comes as a surprise.

 

" It is what it is ". Either way, I'm glad that the A05 bios for the m15x support the Broadway cards.

 

Thank you for taking time to help us out Chris.

Do you have any info regarding the CF mobility radeon?? I know you probably get this question a million times a day but people are really wondering....

i mean if you can give us a heads up like saying whether or not the thermal/power qualifies, etc...

Thanks for the help

 

My 5870 runs just fine in my system

 

Thanks for the clarification here.

Also gives the part numbers for anyone needing to order cards

 

Thanks for the amazingly quick turn-around on these answers, Chris. Unfortunate that the R1 won't be an officially supported platform with the 5870. When Dell parts gets a stock of the cards I'll likely give it a shot, anyway.

 

On the M15x, nothing has been discussed.

 

Someone already tried, it doesn't work.

 

I'm aware, Joker. That wasn't the Dell cards, so we still had some hope the official Dell cards would.

 

It was also before the A04 BIOS which may make a difference (wont know till we try it)

 

Not unless A05 comes out. I'm not going to upgrade to 5870s and have to play magic 8 ball with my power adapter.

 

I doubt the cards make a difference.

The new BIOS, however, will.

 

ironically, the 5870s would be better on your power adapter than the GTX 280m's haha

on paper anyways

 

Agreed on both fronts, except for the fact that A04 is a POS. Here's to hoping for A05! haha

 

It will not work. The existing bios would need to be updated to support it. Even with Dell OEM cards.

 

Still leaves me wondering if the M17x R2 will be available in 5870 x-fire. If not than I'm just killing time by waiting for it when I could have bought a system 3+ months ago.

 

Live for today.My attitude is if/when the 5870's become available i will just buy a pair wont break the bank.

 

Alienware M17x R2 Dell validated video cards:
2TKKD Ati Radeon Mobility HD 4870
2YVP1 Dual Ati Radeon Mobility HD 4870 (with CFX cable)
C8245 Ati Radeon Mobility HD 5870
RV546 Dual Ati Radeon Mobility HD 5870 (with CFX cable)

 

Do you know when the bios to support the cards will be released to the public?

 

Thanks for the information.

 

hey thats awesome! Thanks for the info!

 

So if Dell has the cards why not release them?

 

I think that's the plan.

 

What? Tease us? That's mean.

They are holding the 5870's hostage.

 

They'll be out in short order. You don't want a rushed debacle like the original M17x-R2 release do you? Then we'll have people crying about flickering/throttling and who knows what else. They're obviously coming as soon as Dell can push them out.

 

Good point.

It ends the rumors that the cards won't fit in the system or are not compatible in someway.

 

I know at least one person who has a 5870 system shipped. Still waiting for word on the bios version.

 

I read the majority of people have the A04 bios...but there are some who have the A02 bios.

 

There has to be a newer version out to support the 5870s. I bet my technical career on it. I expect a A05 or A06 to pop up any day now.

 

But don't you have the A04 bios? Wouldn't that be the new bios for the R2 that has 5870 support?

 

According to one of the Dell reps here no. It has one minor fix.

 

Oh. Well that sucks.

 

Plus don't forget VT support. Many are waiting for that also.

 

VT support?

 

Support for 64bit VMs. VT support usually has an enable/disable option in the bios. The M17xR2 is completely missing it.

 

oh. i wonder if the adding on of other features is what is holding up the release of the new bios and not just the 5870 support.

 

Thanks so much for putting to rest that there will be a dual 5870 release. I think the big question from everyone is when? Not sure if you even know, but a lot of people are basing that info on whether or not to go ahead and order now or wait for those cards. Some are in a bit of a time crunch. Thanks again.

 

hello,

thanks for the reply but I was asking about the M17x cf5870 configuration.

 

lol where did you ask that?

 

He asked it on the first page.

 

* I have not heard anything.

Do you know when the bios to support the cards will be released to the public?
* I have not heard any information.

So if Dell has the cards why not release them?
* We have the part numbers but that has nothing to do with the web configurator or parts in stock.

Thanks so much for putting to rest that there will be a dual 5870 release. I think the big question from everyone is when?
* They never tell us that stuff. I have to check the site like you guys.

Thanks for the reply but I was asking about the M17x cf5870 single configuration.
* Yes on the M17x R2. Your on your own with the R1. We will not test or validate it. it will be an unknown as to what the long term effects might be.

 

Very nice to hear this from a Dell rep.

 

Hey Chris,

Thank you for taking your time and helping us out with this thread. I really appreciate your help.

 

thanks for your time.

Quick question on the M15x and the 5850.

* Will it support hooking up 2 external monitors simultaneously? (e.g. over DP and VGA?) This should be supported by the ATI card.

* Will sound over DP work as well?

 

Maybe we can finally find out if the 5850 card is the gddr5 version or the gddr3 version, Chris?

 

Will the 5850 on the M15x support hooking up 2 external monitors simultaneously? (e.g. over DP and VGA?) This should be supported by the ATI card.
* No idea. I have not seen that tested.

Will sound over DP work as well?
* In theory, yes.

Maybe we can finally find out if the 5850 card is the gddr5 version or the gddr3 version, Chris?
* 1024MB GDDR5.

 

Oh now thats good news!

 

Thanks for your quick response, Chris! You've just made many people happy!

 

Chris,
I ordered a M17x R2 with a single HD5870 last friday, does or doesn't it have the crossfire connector?
So if I'm missing out on power, would I still be able to upgrade it to crossfire with another HD5870, heatsink, fan and CF cable?

Thanks