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    Replacement Graphics card

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by Norinion, Jul 13, 2011.

  1. Norinion

    Norinion Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have the Alienware Area 51 m15x laptop, but the graphics card fails on me. Twice. I already replaced it once, and was wondering if there is any compatible graphics card with this laptop.

    I currently have Nvidia Quadro FX 3600M, and was hoping to upgrade it to the FX 3800M, or like GTX 485M, or any other better (or of equal class) graphics card for the Area 51 m15x laptop.

    Any Ideas? Thanks so much.
     
    Norinion, Jul 13, 2011
    #1
  2. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    You have to use an MXM 2.1 card (type IV or HE usually), MXM-B cards wont fit.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 13, 2011
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  3. Norinion

    Norinion Notebook Enthusiast

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    What card would you recommend as an MXM 2.1 Card?
     
    Norinion, Jul 13, 2011
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  4. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    I think GTX 285m is the most powerful. The 485m is 3b, not to mention a 100W TDP card and 285m 75W TDP. The M15x was designed with max 75W TDP IIRC.

    I ran into this with one of my previous Sagers with MXM 2.1 as well. I had a GTX 260m, and best I could do is GTX 280m, which my 260m could overclock to similar speeds. So clearly not worth the investment.
     
    HTWingNut, Jul 13, 2011
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  5. Aneap

    Aneap Notebook Geek

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    Are you doing any 3D modeling work or just gaming? Quadros are better at 3D modeling, but do not work as well for gaming. Vice versa for GTX series.
     
    Aneap, Jul 14, 2011
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  6. pistachio1908

    pistachio1908 Newbie

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    Is all of Quadro FX 3600M series have the same problem ?
    I have the problem with this card when playing game .
     
    pistachio1908, Jul 14, 2011
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  7. Norinion

    Norinion Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well my card completely broke, the computer won't start without a functioning one.
     
    Norinion, Jul 14, 2011
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  8. Norinion

    Norinion Notebook Enthusiast

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    And yes i'll probably be doing mostly 3D modeling, a bit of gaming on the side.
     
    Norinion, Jul 14, 2011
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  9. pistachio1908

    pistachio1908 Newbie

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    can be replaced with the Ati Radeon ?
     
    pistachio1908, Jul 15, 2011
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  10. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    If you found a card with the right slot then it might.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 15, 2011
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  11. LaneLander

    LaneLander Notebook Enthusiast

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    KCTKH Nvidia GeForce GT 240M
    WDXVH Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M
    NTVGT Ati Radeon Mobility HD 5730
    K6654 Ati Radeon Mobility HD 5850
    479NV Nvidia GTX460m
     
    LaneLander, Jul 15, 2011
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  12. pistachio1908

    pistachio1908 Newbie

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    are you sure the m15x can support these card ?
    It's m15x R1 call : Alienware Area 51 m15x
    not the new model Alienware M15x
    and it's MXM 2.1 or MXM factor III
     
    pistachio1908, Jul 15, 2011
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  13. LaneLander

    LaneLander Notebook Enthusiast

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    I might be able to research it better with the service tag number. It is hard to know which motherboard is the the unit he has.
     
    LaneLander, Jul 18, 2011
    #13
  14. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    None of those cards are compatible.

    You are looking for 9 series nvidia cards or HD4 series for ATI.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 18, 2011
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  15. pistachio1908

    pistachio1908 Newbie

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    Are all the FX 3600M have the same problem that make the VGA card crash ?
    Like the GTX 8800M , Dell had to replaced all of the card in their laptops , because it crash when overheating .
     
    pistachio1908, Jul 18, 2011
    #15