M15x 9600m Downgrade!?

Hey guys, was hoping some of you more knowledgeable people could help me out here. I bought my m15x a year and a half ago and it has served me great for a lot of that time. My 8800m gtx has since died (and was unresuscitateable with the oven trick as a long term fix).

I'm gonna be building myself a good desktop system anyways and won't need my m15x for running advanced 3d programs and games anymore. Of course, I don't like the idea of my once $3000 laptop running at like 5% of it's previous glory. I also, however, don't want to pay near $400 for replacement card at this point.

Here's where I need the advice/know-how. I can get a 9600m gt for a good price, but I'm not sure it will work. Will it plug in? I haven't been able to find a proper MXM tutorial site that would explain exactly how the compatibility between different MXM versions works. I wouldn't mind a general idea of mxm compatibility, but since I've narrowed it down specifically to a 9600m gt, can any of you tell me whether it would work with my m15x? If it's not a straight fit (need to modify heatsink, screws, etc... I can work with that). Basically is it the same interface, and will it fit? Thank you in advance.

 

you just need a MXM 2.1 type III IV or HE card

You may need to research to make sure the VBIOS is compatible though

You can also get a Radeon 3870 pretty cheap that will perform much better

 

i second the radio 3870

they retail from AW for 150 $

just say you want to upgrade to it or something

 

And getting it from alienware would keep it under warranty, since they offer that combo.

Always a plus

 

Wow that sounds like a really good deal! I didn't know that was even an option I will definitely jump on that if I can get a 3870 for $150 from AW. I am already out of warranty, but I would still prefer getting the card directly from AW rather than another, perhaps not as trusted, source. Thanks very much for the advice!

Just to double-check, the 3870 should be able to work in the m15x basically with just a new driver after install, or would I have to change my bios as well (and if so, is there a bios available)?

Edit: I noticed you said they offered that combo, so I'm assuming it would be a relatively easy installation process.

 

just need a new driver as far as i know. AW support should be able to lead you through the whole process

 

If you use the ATI HD3870 you might need the heatsink for it also as I believe the one for your 8800M GTX even though it is probably more robust, will not fit with the HD3870. I hope this helps. God Bless

 

they are both mxm heatsinks and should therefore work, but AW will tell you when you call them to order it

 

I very much appreciate the input. I already tried calling, but I'm gonna have to wait until tomorrow until I'm able to get a hold of someone at AW. At least before when I had asked them about replacing my 8800, they said they'd send a heatsink with it, so I'm assuming it'll be the same deal with the 3870. The 3870 seems like it will fit my needs perfectly for now.

 

you will be happy

 

Please post pictures of the HD3870 Heatsink when you get it as I am pretty sure that it is different from the 8800M GTX one. Thanks and God Bless

 

I'm not home right now, but my brother sent me a picture of the card that arrived the other day. It's pretty clear that the heatsinks are different between the 8800m gtx and this hd 3870 tho.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff56/Didymus03/ATT00012.jpg