Need some help with a GPU database for Alienware Laptops

One of the big things I'm doing at my forum is compiling a list of compatible GPUs for Alienware computers. I have made a couple, but thought that they needed improvements. Fast forward now, and I'm still working on it, mainly for the desktops.
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=BDA3DBA52EF0D02!3763&authkey=!AGOUDi2w0MBzft0&ithint=file%2cxlsx
What I need help with is to see what I have compiled for the laptop sheet of the spreadsheet is accurate (the desktop sheet has little in there; only for most of the X51 and Graphics Amplifier since they're the easiest). The old laptops with newer GPUs are a bit confusing for me and if they need a custom vBIOS or not, but that's about it really. I've looked over this forum, look at Dell Support site, Googled the laptops, and looked on Alienware's website (by memory and what is shown), as well as get information from Alienware Reps. Two points:

1. I omitted the laptops with soldered GPUs simply because they would get in the way. They are going to be in their own short list.
2. I would rather not know about GPU compatibility for non-supported chargers. Those cases are predominant for what I face, so I rather tackle them one by one rather than have them on the spreadsheet and input more things.

If you find this useful, then maybe I could consider leaving it in this forum.

 

Pretty sure that the 7970m is a popular upgrade for the M15x, so it works. The highest upgrade for the M17x R1 is Crossfire 5870m which are not even listed in the list. Crossfire 7970m was also confirmed to work with the M17x R2. 780m do not perform in the M18x R1 as good as they do in the M18x R2 for reasons that I do not remember.

Great list btw, but some of the icons seems useless. Both % and # can be replaced for something that says "Confirmed Working" plus an icon for comments or additional notes (like the 780m example above, if they are supported by dell or vBios needed) suited below the table.

 

797om works on a 150w charger? Isn't that a bit odd?
I also thought the 5800m series wouldn't work in the m17xR1; only up to the 4800m series. But thanks for the 5870m.
I'd rather use the icons just to not elongate the table. I guess I could just use a number + an icon to indicate how many the laptop can support/hold, rather than both.

 

As far as I remember, you could have the i7-920xm and the 7970m on the M15x at the same time (or maybe undervolting the GPU? dont remember), but you could only overclock one of them at a time. Its PSU has also shown to draw more than 150W if needed... while overheating ofc.

 

The 240w adapter works on the m15x as well so you may want to add that for the m15x.

Also the 680m works on the m15x. It needs a vbios but works.

 

As I said, I'm only putting default chargers there. So if it doesn't say in the manual, I'm not going to put them in the list.
It just makes things easier, even though I know all of the chargers made for the Alienware laptops work with them all. I'll put more thought on the matter, though.
GTX 680m with a 150w charger? I know with a 210w and 240w charger, but 150w?

 

I doubt the GTX680M/7970M work properly with the 150W charger.. I know with the 210/240W no problems.. I also know that the 330W works with the 15x..

 

As long as you're not running an XM cpu, the 680m and 7970m can work with the 150w adapter. I don't get the point of this gpu database if you won't add adapters that work. just because they don't come with the laptop doesn't mean they're not supported. Attaching a 240w/330w adapter to a m15x doesn't trigger the ac adapter warning. Attaching a 330w adapter to a m17xr3/r4/17 also doesn't trigger the ac adapter warning, so they are technically supported.

A database that shows all of the working configurations would be valuable.

 

I've attached a 240w charger to a m15x before, and it triggered a warning. As I said, I'll think about it. Right now, I am more worried about if what is there now is fine. It'll be a simple copy-paste afterwards it everything is accurate (it practically is).
The database is not meant for this forum, rather the forum I moderate. I could leave it here if I wish.
Also have to question the m15x + GTX 680m/ HD 7970m since an i7-720QM already takes up 45w; a 100 w GPU + a 45w CPU already is 145w, so if it were me, I rather not risk the potential damage.

 

AFAIk, you could use the 240w and 330w on the M15x but it would not use more than 150-180W, people do it just because they didnt want their 150W to overheat (causing damage). I dont remember clearly, but I think that some people were reporting that using the 230-210W PSU from the dell business laptops would allow the m15x to use more than 150W with the only con being not able to charge the battery.

 

This is false, I've used more than 180W on my m15x. I had a 7970m and 920xm both overclocked. The 7970m was also overvolted to 1.100v and had a 980mhz overclock while the 920xm was @ 3.6ghz.

The cpu is able to use as much power as the psu allows. It was the gpu that was power limited. So you can use more power as long as it's going to the cpu.



I didn't know this was for another forum, guess it's best to keep it that way then.

 

Well I added the 240w charger to the m15x can copy-pasted the m17x's 240w column onto it (albeit without the two's).
Other than that, the laptop portion looks unchanged other than the bottom mirroring the top for better design.

 

My experience is different with M15x. I had M15x with 7970 and 940xm. Anything above 150W charger didn't matter, as laptop was not able to draw more than 150W, seemed limited by motherboard design. I had to underclock both 7970 and 940xm to be useful, otherwise 7970 will hit 85C and do a hard shutdown. Even with charger plugged in, it ate the battery and eventually killed the battery completely.

 

If your 7970m shut off at 85C then that means something wasn't making proper contact with a component on the 7970m. It shouldn't shut off that soon or run that hot. Did you use a copper shim or grind down the backplate?