Can I replace the Graphics Card on M17x Refresh When DX11 Comes Out?

Ave,

I love the new M17x refresh with the i7 options & LED screens; the only thing that it's lacking for me is a DX11 Graphics card and I was really hoping to pick up a notebook with one.

If I get the M17x now with Dual HD 4870's and all my other options ... is it possible for me to replace/install new HD 5xxx DX11 Graphics card when they are available? Or there is no way to replace GPU hardware in this notebook on your own?

Thanks!!

 

sure you can install it by yourself when it comes out, piece of cake, im pretty sure some of the guys will posts instructions when they come out

 

Technical involved work aside, you need it to be compatible with the BIOS which we dont know when the card doesnt come out, yet.

 

Looks like it's the same chasis as the Core 2 only different might be the Mother board....there might be a lot of I-7 M17x boards alvaible. When the time comes!!! But 5870's would be a must have for me! if i'll go I-7's

 

There should be no problem installing the 5870s yourself apart from BIOS compatibility, but the problem will be the cost. Expect it to be pretty damn expensive to buy a pair of 5870s aftermarket. As in well over $1000.

 

Given that card does not give a huge performance leap over 280M or HD 4870 as we are discussing in another thread and DX11 is still far from being something real, that kind of price isn't worth it.

 

Mr. Moo has a how to guide on gpu and cpu replacement. If they keep everything basicly the same it would be a start on replacing parts.

 

Like I said in another thread, I'd easily prefer a DX10 card with 100+ GB of bandwidth and 2 teraflops of theoretical performance. Of course, such a thing doesn't exist. Blah.

 

That is a hefty price tag; Would it be better just to wait & get the M17x once they are shipping with 5870's then?

Also - I'm not sure how this works but a lot of people have recommended sending the notebook in to Dell to get the cards replaced/upgraded. Does it cost less to send in your notebook to Dell to get the upgrade rather then doing it yourself? (Considering they get to keep both your 4870's that way).

 

Cheapest route is to wait on the cards to come with the system. The price increase won't be as high as what it will cost to upgrade considering parts/labor charges, not to mention shipping, insurance. Thats why I'm waiting till they come out. To just get them with the system.

 

Making sense to me; I think I'll just wait it out. From what I understand, hopefully March we should see 5870's fitted in. Just over a month.

Thanks.

 

No problem, thats what I'm doing. Shipped my M17X back yesterday so I'm down to the Inspiron. Was going to order the M17X R2 but I figured I'd wait till the 5870's are out since by the time my R2 got here, they would probably be withing two weeks of release. I also want the i7 920

 

yes you can replace it by yourself when they release it, but the cost is like getting a new computer so i recomend if you want to buy it now put it up for sale when they release the new cards and purchase another system

 

I'll stick with the i7 820, but getting the LED 1200p and most of the other works!! Definitely gonna wait for the 5870's now considering they are so close.

I also noticed they removed the Blu-ray drive options; only giving DVD-burner now ... not sure why. But hopefully comes back on; not ordering without the Blu-ray drive.

 

the blue ray prices coming down big time and other manufacturers offer blue ray as a base configuration i think that's why dell remove it for now until they decide to make it standard

 

That would be awesome!! Seriously. Although then I'll be tempted to get the blu-ray burner instead of just the ROM.

 

Asus is offering blue ray as a base config. now but not burner lol.

 

Dell's keeping up with the market; I can't complain. The new M17x refresh is awesome; and hopefully with the addition of 5870's coming soon; it will be a near perfect machine. Adding on to it blu-ray rom as base config ... wonderful! Kudos all around.

 

Hi guys my m17x will arrive within a few days. Unfortunately I only ordered it with one HD 4870 video card. The CPU is not the best either just a core 2 dual T9700. The CPU I think would do just fine, but is it possible to install another HD 4870? How difficult are they to come by? Any answer would help me ease my worries.(this was also posted somewhere else. Sorry )

 

I'd return it and then reorder. Much more expensive to do it on your own. Plus you gotta get the SLI/Crossfire Cable

 

Double post, my bad.

 

Thanks I have been thinking about this solution and it seems like the smartest choice as I can get an i7 cpu for the same price(almost). The only con here is that I won't be able to "feel the power" right away

 

If you just ordered it; return it immediately - won't be any charge to you! Get the upgrades you want in-the-box; it will be much cost-effective.

 

No problem, another thing to consider is the fact that if you decide to upgrade to the 5870's, then depending on your warranty, you'd have to mail your laptop back to them. Or it can get done in home by a tech, but the sometimes scratch your new expensive laptop, make things worse, or sometimes it goes flawlessly. But if you upgrade on your own, then the cards are not covered under warranty, and if they damage your system motherboard, and were not replaced by dell, well then your out of luck. Best to get exactly what you want out of the box, because then it's covered by warranty and if down the road your machine dies and they give you a replacement, then your stuck with the low end stuff you ordered or an equivelent.

 

+1 ... 'Tis the reason I decided to hold on to my purchase; Officially waiting for 5870 CrossfireX to be available in M17x now before I "Add to Cart"

 

But there'll be tutorial here on how to replace the old cards in M17x with 5870 right guys^^? I wonder if the CrossfireX cable on those 4870 can be used for 5870...