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    Upgrading Graphics Card on M17x help

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by 13utler, Aug 25, 2009.

  1. 13utler

    13utler Newbie

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    Hey, i just recently purchased a M17x with a single gtx 260m and i was just wondering how(if I'm able to) i would upgrade it to a dual gtx 260m. questions i need answer, How I would do so? Does brand matter (EVGA,PNY,etc), Do you need to be trained into installing the hardware or could an amatuer do it?

    Thanks in advance
     
    13utler, Aug 25, 2009
    #1
  2. Darth Bane

    Darth Bane Dark Lord of the Sith

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    you would be better off asking this in the alienware forum
     
    Darth Bane, Aug 25, 2009
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  3. hustheman

    hustheman Notebook Evangelist

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    and the brand thing your talking about only applies to desktop cards i think
     
    hustheman, Aug 25, 2009
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  4. sleey0

    sleey0 R.I.P. AW Side Topics

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    You are confusing a laptop with a desktop.

    You cannot readily change cards in the M17x. If you ordered a single card system, you'll need to contact Dell and ask for a card, heatsink and fan, and sli cable.

    Expect to pay $700 or more for the card....

    Installation isn't hard, but my skill level may be very different from yours.
     
    sleey0, Aug 25, 2009
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  5. grendelswr

    grendelswr Notebook Geek

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    There are numerous threads about this issue, but in short, if you're interested in upgrading already, the cheapest way to do it is buying it already upgraded in SLI. Otherwise, you're going to have to spend almost double to do it. People have said that dell is the only place where you can find the GPU to run in the m17x, however I have not looked into it.

    You should consider re-ordering your computer with the dual GPU's cause you won't save money on this upgrade. Infact, you'll be kicking yourself that you didn't upgrade in the beginning.
     
    grendelswr, Aug 25, 2009
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  6. EviLCorsaiR

    EviLCorsaiR Asura

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    Unfortunately, laptop upgrading works VERY differently from desktop upgrading. It's not so simple unfortunately that I can go order a card and stick it in my laptop.

    You basically need an MXM 3.0 GTX 260M. As far as I know the ONLY place you can get these from right now is Dell. As said before, cancel and reorder with 260M SLi to make life far easier for yourself.
     
    EviLCorsaiR, Aug 25, 2009
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  7. GabeZ

    GabeZ Information Technology

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    You'll most likely need 3 pieces - 4 if a support bracket is missing.

    1. Graphics card (heat sink is already attached)
    2. SLI cable
    3. Fan
    4. Support bracket

    Thanks,
    Gabe
     
    GabeZ, Aug 25, 2009
    #7
  8. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    Bracket comes with non sli systems
     
    The_Moo™, Aug 25, 2009
    #8