Need help on buying an M17X QX9300 Processor

Hi everyone
I live in Brazil and I want to buy an M17X as soon as possible, but I have a problem with the pricing of the notebook.

I want to get the notebook with the following specs:
Nebula Red
Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad QX9300 2.53 GHz
Genuine Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Dual ATI Radeon Mobility 4870
WideUXGA 1920x1200 LCD Screen
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 1066MHz
1 TB Raid 0 (2x512GB 7200 rpm)
Slot Load Dual-Layer Blu-Ray Combo (NOT burner)
2 year Warranty + Complete Care

Building that system through alienware's website, we get a total of US$ 4028

The same system, in Brazil, costs BRL 15692 which, converting to US$ in today's currency (1 USD = 1,7070 BRL), is equivalent to US$9192,73

As you can see, it is way more expensive than buying it in the US.
What I'd like you to pay attention to, though, is that if I select the lowest processor available (which would be a Core2Duo P8600 2.4GHz), alienware would charge US$ 1000 for an upgrade to QX9300, while in Brazil, that upgrade costs BRL 3700, or US$ 2167.

So, what I'm considering to do is to save myself a lot of money and buy the notebook with the lowest processor, and then buy the QX9300 separately through eBay (I found a top seller, called "Shirley"-something, selling them for US$ 550), and when I get the notebook, I switch the processors and done!

However, what I'd like to know is if any of you can answer the following questions:
1 - Are there any peculiarities I should be careful about when buying the QX9300 from eBay? I mean, Is there any info I should confirm about the CPU itself to be sure that I'm getting a true, functional, overclockable QX9300?
2 - If I open my M17X to switch processors, will my warranty be voided (making it stupid to pay extra for the extended warranty)?
3 - I know this might be a bit off topic (not alienware related), but do you guys recommend any brands for the thermal paste I'll need to use to put the new CPU in?

Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thank you very much!

 

This has been explored exhaustively all over the forum. Try to use the Search button

however
1.) Go for OEM or Final Revision ES (E0 Stepping I believe) QX9300
2.) Your warranty will be voided for the CPU but not for the rest of the machine. This is US/European Law though, I don't know about Brazil. It might void your entire system warranty.
3.) Arctic Silver 5 or MX-3 should do you nicely

 

an ES processor will always save u money with probably the same performance

 

You really don't need to buy an ES anymore if you're looking to save money.

There are eBay auctions that periodically sell a new OEM for less than what the ES sellers are asking for. Just do a search every now and again and you'll find one.

 

What's the difference between ES and OEM?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_sample_(CPU)

 

nickbarbs, are you sure about this? why would it only void the warranty of the cpu if you have opened the entire machine?

Also, in case of any problem how would they know you've replaced the cpu? (assuming you put the old one back in there before send it to repair)


Ps: Im from UK also. Gonna buy a M17x with the q9000 and probably replace it with the qx9300 oem or es after a while, but I too share the concern about the warranty.

 

Basically, if you damage something while opening the machine, it will void your warranty. If not, they won't even be able to tell - if you swap your old CPU (or whatever other parts you replaced) back in before repairs and whatnot, that is.

 

I'm speaking STRICTLY from a contracts perspective.

If you replace your CPU and an error happens to your CPU you've used, it won't be covered by your Dell Warranty. If any problem in the PC can be traced to your botched job of CPU installation, they can void your warranty.

If you perform the install yourself and everything goes fine thats great, your warranty is fine for all other components of the PC but dell won't cover your new cpu (duh) so if your PC dies just be ready to swap the old one in. This is why I dont get why some people sell their DELL stock CPU's after replacing them, you never know when you might need it again (as i just found when i returned my M1730 for this M17x, they sure as hell werent going to get my X9000, Kade_Storm got it

 

All you said makes sense. I just thought they had some warranty sticker or something like that.

I will try to get the T9600 so I can upgrade to the qx9300 later on

 

If I end up sending my machine in, I will just buy a Q9000 down the road (for most likely less than I sold my old one for )

 

Don't they check the serial numbers or something like that?

 

there is no serial number on cpus, just batch number, and no, they are not that thorough