Update Recommendation: Alienware M17x R4

Hello Everyone,

I am not computer savy you can say and wondering if you ladies and gentlemen could point me in the right direction in making my laptop run the fastest as possible. I noticed once I updated to Windows 10 I was unable to use the program that would change your lights. I would love to swap out my hard drive and graphics card. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated thank you in advance. Below are my Specs:

Processor: Intel(r) Core(TM) i7-3840QM CPU @ 2.80GHz
Installed RAM: 32.0 GB
System Type: 64-Bit
BIOS Version/Date: Alienware A12, 5/17/2013
BIOS Mode: Legacy
OS Name: Windows 10
Graphics: GeForceGTX675M & Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000

 

Hi,

replacing your hard drive with a ssd should give you a boost (I am a Samsung freak so recommend 850/860 Evo).
Graphics card mainly depends on your budget and skills, possible up to GTX 1070 with good skills.
Mainly a 680m/780m/880m is a direct swap and gives good boost from your 675m.

What you need for the "bling bling" is the command Center (and the OSD):
https://www.dell.com/support/home/de/de/dedhs1/product-support/product/alienware-m17x-r4/drivers

 

A cheap GPU would be a 8950M, its a bit faster than your 675M and is far cooler tbh. I'm afraid you'll have to pay $200 to step up to atleast a 970M, I did see a M4000M for $250 off ebay
Defintly get an SSD (240GB+) and put the HDD in the second slot or ODD

 

What about native fan-control with the 8950m?

 

None

 

Look on the net for a used MSI vortex. I got mine for 650 AUD on ebay with a 1060, 16g of ram and a i7 7700. If I can get even 350 (extremely likely considering i7 7700 alone is going for 450 new) for all the parts that only a 300 dollar upgrade for a 1060 which is as cheap as a desktop card. Also get the high CFM CPU fan to help keeps temps down as it is dirt cheap too.

 

I end up helping someone upgrade this exact laptop M17X-R4 or even the AW17 at least once a week.

I can tell you now, your CPU is decent enough to not be worth spending money into, you can already get 95% of the same performance as one of the extremes on usual useful settings.

The GPU's you can do alot for, and same thing for matching heatsinks for both the CPU and GPU.

There are all copper alternatives for the heatsinks, while they are slightly more of a gimmick then adding tons of extra performance, they do soak up more heat on the higher end (like 1-2C typically)

Repasting can always perfect your temps too.

If you need help with installing after market upgrades feel free to ask me something your considering and I can tell you what I think.