Does M17 support GDDR5 ?

Just as it says, I would also like to know how to know if a laptop does really support GDDR5

Thanks in advance

 

no one knows

no one has anything to test it with

 

Currently the m17 supports DDR3 only, there is no information regarding future changes.

 

Aww, Armando. Couldn't you just let a hint about a graphics card upgrade slip?

 

Well we know the 4870's with DDR5 are not being released for the M17 that's not to say there won't be, but you'll probably have to wait a bit...

 

we dont know that at all

 

i think armando was refering to ram....

if its MXM 2.1 if will work

 

Rephrase what you are trying to ask.

If you're asking if the M17 currently USES GDDR5, then the answer is No. The ATI3870's use GDDR3.

If you're asking if the M17 supports GDDR5, then the answer would be Yes, assuming that they ever release a graphics card in the correct format for it. Unfortunately, there's no word if that will happen, and it's near impossible to acquire some ATI4870's or 4850's to test it out.

If I actually were into heavy gaming, I wouldn't mind trying it out, as there isn't any reason that I can see that it wouldn't work.

 

I was asking about the second answer of yours, as I already know that the 3870 X@2 uses GDDR3 not 5.
I was wondering though if the Mobility ATi 4860 X2 might come up to the M17 or maybe GTS 260, since they have GDDR5 support and 40nm so they produce less heat, so they might fit good into the mobo( since it's MXM 2 I think), and they'll have a better performance than the 3870 X2.

 

you can't have SLI in the m17 only 1 Nvidia card

 

and no single nvida card comes near the 3870s

 

A overclocked 280m gtx will about -10% and actually better in some games

 

Correct, yes the 4860 (or even the 4850/4870)'s would be better.

The problem is that it seems that Alienware has abandoned that idea for now and you'd be hard pressed to actually find some to purchase at a reasonable price.

I would be willing to bet money that they will eventually be released, however, I imagine it'll be a year or so before they will. They're going to push the M17x right now as their profit margin should be higher on it than it is on the M17. Then in a year or so, they'll probably announce the upgrades for the M17 to be available. The problem then is that by then, the 4870 won't be anything special.

Moo is right, the M17 doesn't support SLI, but you'd be ok with one card. If there does come a single Nvidia card that outperforms you should be able to upgrade to that.




As an aside, your best bet if you're wanting an M17 and something better than the 3870's is to find someone on here who you would trust with an M17x, and wait until the 4870's are offered for the M17x. When they do come out, arrange for that person to purchase the cards directly from Alienware and sell them to you.

 

the last Nvidia card to fit will be the 280m GTX and as i listed before is nice

 

I dunno why but each time I think about notebooks I get a headache XD
Good complicated industry.

Yeah, but the 4850's and 70's has proved to have issues with the M17.

That's what I was mistaken for, if the M17 had supported SLI then GTS 260' s would be a good option as well, but they don't....

 

The 4850's haven't that I know of, and the only issue that we've heard anything about on the 4870's was heat.

 

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for upgrades to the M17. IMO, weve seen everything the M17 has to offer. That's not too shabby really.

 

then why were the 4850's cancelled by Alienware ?

 

Because those were not for the m17

and you just know everythign huh because you work @ alienware?

 

huh what who said so ? lol am 17 years old

 

i have addressed this loads of times

yes they were

the order confirmed m17 NOT m17x.

The rma number and even dhl pickup number was on my m17 customer number, the invoice QUOTED m17 NOT m17x

they WERE without doubt on thier system for the m17, even z's source confirmed that as well

 

i know i have talked to Z im just saying there are 4850's DDR5 for the m17x as well, they may have said it then switched them to go in the M17x who knows ...(highly unikely since they are different MXM's ) but still

and i have talked to Z alot
a long time ..... waiting ....

 

There may be GDDR5 4850s for the M17x. MAY...

The sticker and review make it sound like there might be GDDR5 4850s but it's no where near definite so you got to leave room in your statements for them being GDDR3 4850.


Personally I'd get a kick out of them to being GDDR5 4850s but I know better than to say they definitely will be.

 

I have no doubt they'll actually be released, it's when that's the issue.

You have to think with business in mind.

You're releasing a new laptop you claim and want to be the most powerful laptop around.

Do you also, at the same time, release a video solution for a laptop you've had out that makes it just as powerful if not more so....or do you wait a while when sales start to level off on the flagship, and THEN release the solution for the other one (M17) AND release a more powerful solution for the flagship (4870's).

 

just like i said in the last thread......