M17x GPU Upgrade

Hey, while I'm waiting for my motherboard to be replaced, I figured why not upgrade the GPU as well? I currently went the cheap route and only got 1 GTX 260M but I think I want to get a second, are these available for me to install myself? If so, anyone have any idea how much they are?

Also, to those of you with dual GTX 260's, how are the FPS? I'm considering selling the rest of my desktop (case, water cooling parts, PSU) to upgrade this and use this as my primary, and only machine. Would you guys recommend this? I would build another desktop in later years of University, or maybe when I graduate again.

 

yes its worth it, yes it easy to install, no it is not easy to find one. AW is your best chance at procurring a 2nd gpu, they will also probably give you the best price

 

Do you have a link to where I could get it? Or should I just call them and order it over the phone?

 

Whats your desktop config? hard to say without it

 

Right now, nothing. I sold all my parts, what I'm planning on getting are

Q9650, Rampage Extreme, 6GB OCZ Platinum DDR3 1600MHz memory, GTX 260 (already have it from old build). CPU, GPU and NB will be under water. I don't need stellar gaming performance, I only want to be able to play Prototype and CoD 4 on max graphics (1680x1050 external monitor) with out too much choppiness.

 

so is it possible to upgrade the gpu for the laptop?

 

I would get another GTX260m and that's it.

Better performance, it's a notebook! (i love the fact that i can bring it in a trip ) and less trouble

Yes.

 

Yeah, I really like hybrid SLI, so I still have amazing 3+ hours battery life, but still get awesome performance when I want to .

 

So you guys think I should just upgrade the laptop and leave the desktop for now? I don't really need the desktop at school, I'll just be using my laptop for gaming if I can still get good FPS with it.

 

I would upgrade the laptop and get a desktop later... with Core i9, etc

And 2x GTX260m > GTX260.

Actually it's basically what I'm going to do (replace upgrade with purchase )

 

Yeah, that is what I figured. I think I'll buy a kick desktop when I'm in second year and have my own place, or maybe even until I graduate.

My dad is upset with me now though, he will let me spend $600 on desktop upgrades, but not $300 on a 2nd GPU for the laptop :/.

Did any of you guys get the extended warranties? Do you think it's worth it? How long did you get?

 

nice! So umm is it easy to install the second gpu ? I mean like idiot proof xd. Where do i buy it? Alienware?

 

A lot of us got the complete care warranty. I only did a year, ask me in June '10 and I'll tell ya if I'm extending it.

 

warranties on laptops are almost always good things.

call dell for the card (they may install it too)

if you have dual gtx260m's in your laptop, just plug in a keyboard and mouse and a monitor, wont need a desktop

 

alright, thanks guys!

 

Oh, does anyone have a link for that GPU part by any chance? I can't seem to find it.

 

you wont find it, will have to talk to dell on phone.

 

when you find out the price can you please report back to us... This will help new potential buyers which way to go.

Thx

 

no one is selling the GPU but dell and good luck getting it

Its not idiot proof... but it can be done

 

Alright, talked to Alienware tech support, he says go to dell.com, click home + office on the top, then on the left there should be a box with a bunch of options, click spare parts + upgrades or something like that, then enter your service tag. It didn't work for me but it might for some of you (I'm in Canada). He is going to call me back tomorrow night with a definitive price.

 

Yeah that stuff is usually not in there. Stuff like power supplies , bags etc will be but not usually the innards of the PC atleast not that i have ever seen .

 

it will be cheaper to get when you order prolly 500 or 400

 

Yeah. The thing is they won't let me install it myself, that's what the guy told me anyways I already have a 3ish day down time because of the motherboard, don't want another 2 weeks because of this. Maybe they will send a tech to install it? That would be excellent.

 

Crylo in the side topics thread called and was quoted i believe 370 canadian for 260mGTX .

 

Seems legit, that is the price difference from single to SLI'd 260s

 

Yea it's not really too bad, and you will see a large jump in performance

 

That is what I'm aiming for. I'll only do it if they will send me the GPU to install myself, or GPU + tech. don't want to send my system back..

 

yea its not there, stuff like memory, software, battery, bags, are under the m17x category