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    swappable graphics card?

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by fuzion-, Dec 11, 2008.

  1. fuzion-

    fuzion- Newbie

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    I currently own an alienware m15x with a nvidia 8700m GT.
    I was wondering if there is any chance to easily swap the graphics card for a newer one.

    Would it be as easy as in a desktop?
    Would i be able to go to a store and get it done?
    Or is it just stuck in there and i won't be able to change it?

    All help is appreciated,
    Thank you
     
    fuzion-, Dec 11, 2008
    #1
  2. Koshinn

    Koshinn Notebook Deity

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    it takes more physical work than a desktop for a few reasons. There's also the issue of the thermal profile, basically how much heat the laptop can dissipate. And finally, acquiring said graphics card is somewhat difficult and expensive. No physical shop that I know of sells laptop graphics cards (MXM), you have to get them through retailers or maybe even 3rd hand (like mxm-upgrade.com).
     
    Koshinn, Dec 11, 2008
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  3. dwend

    dwend Notebook Evangelist

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    dwend, Dec 11, 2008
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  4. Koshinn

    Koshinn Notebook Deity

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    I actually heard they don't have any spare 8800/9800m cards at the moment, because they're using them as soon as they get them for new m15x and m17xs.
     
    Koshinn, Dec 11, 2008
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  5. Ferrari

    Ferrari Notebook Evangelist

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    i replaced my graphics card my self and it was not very hard to do. I just followed the guide off alienware. just remember to apply new thermal paste to the cpu and gpu.

    My ati x1800 went bad and i bought a new one, i followed the guide that required me to remove my heat sink, clean the cpu, remove the old gpu and replace it and then apply thermal grease, re assembled it, turned the comp on and it was like nothing ever happend.

    i did this on a M5790 but it would be different on yours, the following guides should give you some information.

    m15x heat sink removal guide:
    http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/...nBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9bTE1eA**&p_li=&p_topview=1

    replacing video card guide m15x:
    http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/...nBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9bTE1eA**&p_li=
     
    Ferrari, Dec 11, 2008
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  6. crystak

    crystak Notebook Evangelist

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    The M15X is upgradeable so you can call AW and buy a new one from them. I don't think they do 8800m anymore so you'll have to get the 9800m one. If they're out of stock then you can try mxm-upgrade.com but then I don't know how both the warranty for the card and for the M15X works so you should call AW and get that clarified.
     
    crystak, Dec 11, 2008
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