m15x gpu upgrade

Hi all,

This is my first post, so I apologize if this has been covered extensively. I did use the search function and learned a lot. I just purchased an Alienware m15x a few weeks ago, and to save on cost I stayed with the ati 3870 gpu rather than the nvidia. While currently I am plenty happy with the 3870, I wanted to know what my upgrade options are for the future, especially with such an expensive piece of equipment? I have read jdeluna's post on the 280m, however I am nervous of losing my warranty and the temperatures caused by the 280, would the 260 work better and where would I get one? Also, are the nvidia 200m cards going to work in an m15x, or any new ATi cards? Thanks all, I'm just trying to see what my options are and I don't know if the jump from the 3870 to the 9800 thru alienware is big enough to justify the price. Will AW ever add more gpu upgrades for the m15x? Thanks again!

Current specs: M15x 2.6 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, ATi 3870 gpu, 7200 rpm 320gb hdd, 1200p screen

 

i don't think we'll be seeing any official GPU upgrades anymore. as for your other options, the GTX 260M might be a somewhat smarter choice, yes. also, the new Nvidia GPUs which were recently announced should theoretically all work as well, no guarantees though. similarly, newer ATI cards (HD4850, for example) should work as well. you'll have to enquire with the vendor of the card to check on size, layout, and MXM standard. here's a link to eurocom's upgrade list to get you started.

http://web.eurocom.com/ec/ecu_pricelist(1,0)

 

the 4850 would be a very good bet..... but the 260 would be a powerful card ....

the 280 runs hot but will run

 

thanks for the great replies!

How does the 4850 compare to the 260, and where would I buy either? Also, would it make more sense to wait for a new generation of cards because I still have 11 months of warranty?

Also the eurocom link doesn't seem to work.

Thanks!

 

the m15x wil not be able to upgrade past any of the GPU's we mentioned the MXM is incompatible

 

I'd say they are equal in performance? Differs from game to game though, this one, I am plenty sure.

Anyway, like the others said, there's no guarantee that there will be another mxm 2.1 revision of mxm 3.0 cards, be it type A or type B. Maybe there will be. Maybe there won't be. Doubtful it will be the former.

I guess the GTX 260m will run cooler in the m15x, although, do the copper mod just in case. However, I, for one, have not seen a vendor selling individual GTX 260m's.

 

rjtech is where you can get some GPU's

 

I check rjtech and only found the 280m... anyone know where I could find a 260m or ATi 4850? Also by new generation cards I meant the nvidia ones that were just announced Thanks!

 

those more then likely won't work due to MXM incompatibility

they would also be weaker

check out eurocom

also ebay and try other resellers