Alienware 18 - how much can I upgrade hardware?

Hi, Id like to ask advice.
I have Alienware 18, and would like to upgrade. Does anyone know which is the top latest hardware which I can put in it? The new 960PRO SAMSUNG mSATA drive , or the INTEL SSD6 - are they useful, as the BIOS does not seem to be compatible. Is th processor and GPU upgradeable?
Does anyone have any experience with overclocking?
I am working on huge sized multi-layer high resolution graphic files and looking for maximum, working speed

Many thanks for any ideas or experience in this shared.

 

GPU max 980M

CPU max 4930MX


I recommend you quickly sell it on ebay before the value drops

If you live in a US state beside kalifornistan, check out HIDevolution to buy MSi/Clevo (evoc)


Or you can buy a new Alienware from Dell

 

That system doesn't support PCI-Express so you're limited to SATA-only M.2 drives.

 

First off; agree with the above comments.

Secondly; do you really need a portable/mobile system?

Assuming that this is for paid work; I would be selling/donating this older platform and be considering a current platform with a Kaby Lake processor and a Series 100 or better M/B with Optane support (not for 'right now', but for the immediate future).

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/intel-optane-coming-april-24th.803009/#post-10513704

If you don't need a mobile platform; buy the biggest M.2 PCIe x4 SSD (or two,or more...) you can afford and make sure you actively cool them for maximum (non-throttling) performance - along with the most powerful i7 QC or better CPU coupled to the fastest and highest capacity RAM you can manage (64GB RAM is not overkill with graphic workloads).

If you do need a mobile platform; then either make sure the design/chassis takes into account the heat and throttling issues M.2 drives face in tight/effectively sealed enclosures (not only throttling the SSD... but also potentially throttling the CPU and/or GPU too). If a chassis can't handle the heat of any of it's components properly; it will be a nightmare for productivity.

If the mobile system you chose is known to run hot - an 2.5" 2TB SSD is in order - and for all options above; forget about TLC based SSD's. Unless you want to pay for an SSD and get HDD performance back once you burn through the pseudo-SLC cache that enables manufacturers to post great synthetic 'scores', yet fail to deliver in real world workloads/workflows.

What is your budget for a new system?

What is your expected length of ownership?

If you need a mobile platform 'now' - will you be able to add a desktop workstation later/soon?

Concentrate on the basics: CPU+RAM= Work Done - make sure you maximize these first - don't depend on upgrading them later (see where that got you). With a fully maximized system from day one of ownership; you'll be much more productive and continue to be so until your workloads warrant upgrading in the near or not so far future.

The storage subsystem the last thing you want to go overkill on. Not that you shouldn't. But if the budget gets you a faster CPU/GPU or doubles your RAM; do so first. At the very least; use an SSD (any SSD...) as a boot and program drive. But make sure the rest of the components that will actually be doing the work are the pinnacle of their class.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.