*NEW* M17x R4 and M18x R2 GPU Part Number Lists

For those that want to purchase GPU parts directly from Dell/Alienware, this M17x R4 and M18x R2 GPU parts list has been provided by DELLChrisM. The opening post of each Owner's Lounge thread have been updated. Please be aware that the availability of the GPU modules will be dependent on the manufacturer supply (not Dell) and these are expected to be in very high demand on new systems.

M17x-R4

• HXD3N N13E-GS1 GeForce GTX675m
• C0XGT N13E-GS1 GeForce GTX675m Kit (Video card HXD3N + Support Plate 3MHHT)
• M3XJV NV13E-GE GeForce GTX660m
• 5H5NC NV13E-GE GeForce GTX660m Kit (Video card M3XJV + Support Plate 3MHHT)
• 747M2 AMD Wimbledon XT 7970m
• 8DG8P AMD Wimbledon XT 7970m Kit (Video card 747M2 + Support Plate 3PVGK)

M18x-R2

• HXD3N N13E-GS1 GeForce GTX675m
• C0XGT N13E-GS1 GeForce GTX675m Kit (Video card HXD3N + Support Plate 3MHHT)
• M3XJV NV13E-GE GeForce GTX660m
• 5H5NC NV13E-GE GeForce GTX660m Kit (Video card M3XJV + Support Plate 3MHHT)
• 747M2 AMD Wimbledon XT 7970m
• 8DG8P AMD Wimbledon XT 7970m Kit (Video card 747M2 + Support Plate 3PVGK)

Update: 05/09/2012

 

Wonder how much Dell is selling them for

 

Throw away 6990s , get 675s sli + aw2310 + 3g glasses = 3d vision

 

When will the 680m's coming out? Not ready to buy till June/July .

 

That would be an epic fail since 675m=580m
Wait for the 680m if you want 3D or get 7970m for gaming power

 

couldnt agree more son

 

We will have to wait and see. Sounds remarkably similar to last year when the 6990M was the best performer for a little while. Historically, NVIDIA sniping AMD with a more powerful GPU a few months later hasn't hurt them at all. It only hurts the impatient buyer with money burning a hole in their pocket.

 

I'm impatient! should just wait for 690m , 7990m then...

 

I wonder if 680M will be compatible with 580M heatsinks. Would be convenient it it was.

 

There is also a cost factor to consider. Assuming 680m will come in way higher than AMD. AMD seems quite cheap for the improvement over the 675.

 

Yes, they should be directly compatible. (Technically it remains to be seen since the 680M is only in our dreams right now.) I have already asked and 580/675M use the same heat sink. 6990M/7970M will use the same heat sink according to Federico in Alienware support. He is double-checking with Louis (Lead Graphics Engineer) to confirm it, but it seems to be the case.

I agree that the price-to-performance ratio on the 7970M is awesome. But, the correct answer is "definitely maybe." It depends on the buyer. Some are willing to pay more to get more in return, even if the cost-to-benefit ratio is not as good. A true fanboy will stick with their preferred brand to their own detriment, and a true enthusiast will pay extra for owning the best. And the word "best" is sometimes defined by the buyer, too. In the end, people either buy what they want or settle for what their budget allows.

 

Very true!! Thats really why I dont mind sticking with my 675m's even though I'm sure the 7970m's will be sweet, I feel that nvidia's quality is superior to amd's. and if I have the money, I will ALWAYS choose nvidia. But again that is just my opinion

and just to help you guys understand I mostly feel nvidia is superior when it comes to multi-GPU's. I choose SLI over CF anyday

 

So guys. I had a chat with Dell parts regarding part 8DG8P (card and back-plate) and the rep provided me with a cost of $314.99 LOL?! I know right. SO i proceeded to give her the part number for just the card, she quotes me for $500 and change, now that's more like it. SO just for giggles I ask the rep, what does part 8DG8P include? she goes, the card and back-plate kit, I reconfirm the price and ordered two. I'm awaiting an email from the warehouse with a quote to purchase TWO 7970ms for a whopping $630.

 

The 680M just started appearing as an option when you build the system. Pricey too, 1100 for SLI

 

I have been thinking about upgrading my GTX 675M. Has anyone gotten the part numbers for the 680 Kit - (Video card + Support Plate) for a M17xR4

 

All you need is the 680M GPU and a new support plate (to avoid having to transfer the old one). The heat sinks are the same. The Dell part number for the NVIDIA support plate is 3MHHT and the 680M part number is CPCXD. You could reuse the old support plate in a pinch. It's just hard to get off without bending it up, but it can be done.

 

Thanks Mr Fox. Always interesting chatting with the sales people at Dell. I was quoted something insane like $1,014 on the GTX 680 which was out of stock and a more reasonable $29 for the support plate. Then I was pressed to order the card despite them not having it LOL. It's to bad because I am hesitant to go the ebay route due to no warranty on the card and no support from Dell.

 

Yeah, warranty... that's a really tough situation with eBay and aftermarket vendors. I am always leery of trusting online vendors for the first time I do business with them as well. Too many snakes in the grass, and many are poisonous vipers. I would go with MXM-Mods, JR Tech or Eurocom (upgradeyourlaptop) if you cannot buy it for a reasonable price directly from Dell/Alienware.

If they are charging that much for one 680M they are nuts... WAY TOO MUCH, and a lot more than I ever heard about before. I almost think they made a mistake priced out a complete 680M SLI kit instead of one GPU. The price on the support plate is basically the same as a heat sink. They either gave you a heat price (which includes a support plate) or the price of the support plate has increased almost 6-fold since I last saw the price. For $29 I would just buy the "thermal assembly" (heat sink and support plate) for approximately the same price. If that is accurate for just one 680M, then no amount of warranty is worth it. Just go buy it somewhere else for about half if that is the case.

 

When I have some time this afternoon I will call Alienware TS and ask them for pricing since they can also place the orders for parts.

 

The Dell price for one 680m (even though out of stock) is more than likely accurate. As a comparison, I was quoted close to £2,100 (around $3,400usd) for two 680m's and the respective heatsinks etc. Regarding warranty - I think Dell only offer 90 days on purchased parts....something to consider if you can get a reseller/Ebayer to offer some kind of return/warranty to calm your fears of buying non-Dell to save some cash....

 

OUCH! Those are some mighty expensive video cards. On top of the asinine price, VAT is just like being raped by the government... a 20% tax is simply ludicrous.

 

Yup, those prices were (and probably still are) crazy high from Dell UK. It's quite shocking to think that buying a complete brand new R1/R2 (as a whole unit) initially with 680m SLI would not have been that much more expensive than the 'standalone' GPU prices I posted......and as for Madge (Her Majesty) adding another 20% on top really is like getting raped by the 'establishment'.....

 

It is pretty high but £1700 is still a lot regardless

 

I decided to revisit the topic with Dell again yesterday to see if they were finally in stock and available to purchase. O_O I was told by two agents the GTX680m and thermal module are no longer available ;-/. My guess is whatever inventory they have they are holding for service purposes.

What really irks me is that for the better part of eight months have been calling regularly and in every case told they were out of stock/currently not available and was assured they would contact me (yeah right LOL) when inventory became available.

I had planned on keeping my M17XR4 for at least another year since I don't particularly like the new AW17, and a GPU upgrade would have been a great route for me to go. I do not know if the GTX780m or the 770M are viable alternatives from the hardware compatibility side not to mention spending another year calling regularly to try and purchase one only to be told "they not available at this time"

 

There should be no reason you cannot upgrade your M17xR4 to 780M. I would abandon trying to buy the video cards from Dell and just get one from a trusted vendor on eBay. You should be able to find a Dell or Clevo 680M for around $400 and if you look hard enough, a 780M for less than $700. Anything less than 780M from the current generation GPU (770M, 765M, etc.) is less powerful than 680M. You are better off just sticking with your 675M otherwise, because anything except for 680M or 780M will not actually be an upgrade worthy of your time or money.