Swapping a processor out of an Alienware M17

I am thinking of getting an Alienware M17, but am wondering whether i should get the CPU seperatly, perhaps a monster Quad core at a later date, but will need a guide of how to replace the CPU, and what size are the drive bays in it? 2.5 or 3.5?
thanks

 

You do know that if you swap out the CPU in your M17, you void the warranty right?

 

Bays are 2.5, regarding the cpu, it is upgradeable however it will not be supported by the warranty if any issues were to arise.

 

I'm talking about after the One year period when the warranty has gone, are there any guides out there of how to do this or not?

 

there are no guides on the AW site, but several here have done it and i am sure if you search the forums, you will find "how to's" on this.
since the m17 was based off the OCZ whitebook, you can also search that part of the forums...

GL

 

ryujin, if you don't mid me asking, what is the roswell crew?

 

they are a top tier AW service department.
kinda like saying the best of the best.
they are more knowledgable then the standard customer service rep for AW.

 

Armando, I have a warranty question:

if something is swapped out during a warranty period that then "voids" the warranty (such as a CPU), and a problem arises, but is persistent through replacing the "new" cpu with the original one, will the warranty cover the system? (with the original CPU installed after a different one has been installed)

I would think no, but it works that way for the RAM so I'm kinda lost on the issue.

 

i would like to know the true answer as well, but being more can go wrong with cpu installs: lack of paste, not enough paste, correct cpu for mobo operations, possible contact and ruining of capacitors/resistors, possible shorting of unit if static discharge is experienced...on and on...

ram and HDD/SSD and GPU'S are probably prone to less possibilities of hurting the unit the way a cpu change could/would.

not saying this is the end all, and it can happen even with just changing the ram, but it is just a thought.

 

Hey Will
here is what I could find on the OCZ site that shows how to change the CPU, meme, hdd.

http://www.ocztechnology.com/manuals/DIY_17_Intel.pdf

 

you da man keg....

 

Hey I know this is off topic but when I went to the OCZ site....it no longer the White book marked as EOL.....hhttp://www.ocztechnology.com/products/diy_notebooks/ocz_diy_17-gaming_notebook-small_intel-ati_crossfire_edition-small_ad

 

thanks a bunch!

 

I called AW. I said I have a QX9100 from an old laptop and I want to buy a M17 and use the CPU. They say I can do it but warranty will not cover anything related with the upgrade. this is, I can upgrade, I will broke the warranty if I broke something in the upgrade process.
But for example, I've upgrade my cpu. Then I discover I've a problem with my wifi card that doesn't work. Warranty will cover it.
Example, in the upgrade process I'm so stupid I forgot to put thermal paste on the cpu and I fry the notebook. of course warranty will not cover anything.
Dunno about changing bios but I'll guess it's the same thing. I can change the bios and the warranty is still valid but if due to bad bios or something like that I damage the notebook they will not cover.

 

proc (CPU) upgrade voids warranty due to the nature of the install.
if you did do it correct and then discover the wifi card went bad, you MAY be able to get that part fixed...but HIGHLY doubtful.
i think as the warranty and policies are written, if and when the CPU is replaced the unit as a whole is not longer covered under warranty.
bios is same deal.

 

well then they lied to me and I can prove it so I have my warranty
Anyway what about the people with the stickers on the GPU coolers? they had to disassemble to known what was the problem. They lost their warranty? guess not.

 

i dont have your warranty info, nor am i privy to any corrspondence you may have had with them...i was mealry stating one side of it that has been expressed many times on the boards here...you may on the other hand have information to the contrary, and thus favors you...all i am saying is MAYBE.
the GPU's have been known to be upgradeable without warranty issues. this is just something AW has deemed the user can do for whatever reason they chose.

 

This is a good question, let me inquire on this and I will get back to you on the answer. As soon as I do, I'll make sure to post.

Thank you.

 

thats a serious thinker lol

 

Thanks Armando!

*bump* for when he gets an answer

 

Hello,

Just wanted to inform you, if the issue persists even after the original processor/component is installed, the warranty is not voided but once verified the damaged was caused by the 3rd party component, this however would be determined by sending the system in once all technical procedures were taken.

 

so thats a no ...you can swap it back in and send her in if the problem is still there. thats pretty cool....

 

no moo...
it is a confirmed "we will look at it and determine if it falls within warranty guidlines."

 

same case as with the RAM... which is good...

 

Well, who cares about warranty if you plan on saving money to swap, Processor/GPU/HD/Memory. You are taking a risk and yeah after 1 year who cares. Like my self i'm waiting for the new M17 with possible 4870's so I can try the 4870's on my M9750. Since the warranty is already lone gone. But it's up to you and don't listen to me.