M17 Bare Specs?!

Hello Everyone,

Im thinking about buying the M17 with bare specs (except dual 3870s). Im doing this bc id rather have it now then save up money and get it high powered later.

I now I would void the warranty, but if I got any dual core processor could I upgrade it to the quad core later? And would there be any high tech stuff I would have to do, or just basically unscrew a bunch of things?

Thanks for your help

 

you can buy it from other vendor(like xoticpc) and change everything on it w/o voiding the warranty.and yes,you can change CPU.

 

alright cool!
is it still unknown if in the future i could update my dual 3870s to 4870s?

 

Changing CPU's is just a few screws, and if you're putting a new one in it's best to use some new thermal paste or pads so temps don't get messed up if you reuse old paste.

And as it stands it's unknown it might be possible.

 

thanks for the help. im looking at ebay at some processors from taiwan. im kinda scared to buy from there, but they have a good rating.

do u have any links to how to install cpu guide?
and where can i get that paste? and whats it called?

 

about the 4870: apparently, the m17 has two different MXM slots, and the 4870 will only work in one. so, you probably can upgrade, but not to crossfire'd 4870s.

 

Yes this true it has to mxm slots. that notebook can also use a 9800m gtx but only one because of the two different slots.

 

I'd actually go against this opinion and say that in the future I'd expect this notebook to be upgradeable to dual 4870s in Crossfire.

And here's a service manual for this model, msparrow88: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=317503. For thermal paste, I (and most other people on this forum) recommend Arctic Sliver 5.

 

huh. i thought the m17 has two different MXM slots, and only one will fit the 4870?

 

In crossfire with the 3870s there's also two different cards, a master and a slave. The master 4870 would fit in one, the slave in the other.

On another note, where are you getting this whole thing about the 4870? Has someone gotten their hands on an ES 4870 and tried it?

 

no clue read it somewhere here on NBR i think.