Alienware M17 (not M17x) video card upgrade

Hello, I have the M17 released in the end of 2008 and unfortunately I bought it only with 512 MB graphics card which is ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 M88 XT.

Now with the demand of newer games I want to upgrade to crossfire 2x512 MB as it was offered back then.

I have talked to Aw/Dell support they told me they do not support these older laptops anymore and don't have the parts.

I talked to AMD support and they told me

What I need is:

1) A second HD3870 (Idk when it sometime says S or M for Slave/master on pictures of that card after the answer of AMD support)
2) A crossfire cable for it
3) A VC fan for cooling down for this card I suppose...

is this offered anywhere in Europe? Either way if someone knows what to do and how, I saw this thread.

But I need to get in in Europe, this Ztronics only operates in the US and not a single response from them... where can I get those and in EU?

 

Holy cow, another M17 owner.... (mine's in my sig...) Nice that they lasted so long, though, isn't it? Mine is still going strong...


I can't help you, as I got mine with the crossfire originally, but just wanted to show solidarity.... Good luck!

(ironic, as I'm about to upgrade, too - but looking to just get a new lappy for me. Probably a M18x around the end of the year....)

 

Cheap card:
Dell Alienware M17 R1 MXM II ATI HD3870 512MB Video Card VM88XT512MBSLVR1 | eBay

Not so cheap cable (because of the postage):
eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d

You may be able to find a cheaper cable.

 

^ Just like in my link 17 AUD is fine but I am in Europe...

I knew it would happen like that, once I learnt that Dell bought Aw, that it would go - 'Suit yourself'. The guy on the support even asked me how my laptop is still working... Previously they offered me to replace my optical drive because the black disc where the DVDs/CDs are attached got loose, when all I had to do was stick this black plastic disk where it had to be...

Also if I hadn't paid the 'cheap' VAT from UK, I may have had it with Xfire too. At least, is the Alienware Area 51 crossfire cable the one that the M17 also uses?

Alienware area-51 m17- Cross Fire Cable- MOBL-VW840CFCABLE- Cables- Alienware Laptop- Notebook Parts- Splus Direct

Also what about a Video Card ventilation for M17... and how does it look like?

Currently with some newer expansions of games 512 started becoming insufficient and I don't wanna go lowest quality of game grahphics, actually wanted higher. Another 512MB should be enough for what I want.

If you wanna sell some parts like a vent and the 2nd video card and cable when you buy a new one, let me know. For me this is not justified atm to buy a new laptop just cause I need 150 USD ,more.

 

I hate to burst your bubble but adding another 512mb graphics is not going to add to the graphics memory. When it comes to memory games only see the memory in 1 card and not all added together. So you are stuck with having 512mb of graphics memory.

Adding a second card can improve the graphics quality of games if it supports crossfire.

 

^ Are you sure you know what you're talking? 2x512MB acts better than a single 1GB video card, and since you say IF you don't even know that Alienware M17 is offered with crossfire...

And if it made no difference for games, why would crossfire exist for a gaming laptop? ...

I do not know whether lag caused by too many units or animations is a result of lack of memory (I cover the minimum requirements which are 256MB video) or the 'quality' e.g - lowering graphics quality and thus adding a card to allow me to play on higher graphics settings

 

<s>That cable looks correct.</s>

EDIT: actually it doesn't look exactly right.

 

From my understanding (note I'm not a gamer...):

Going into a crossfire configuration will not double your VRAM (they are not added together...) - rather, the card with the smallest capacity VRAM will be the total capacity of the crossfire setup.

Can anyone more qualified verify this?

 

It would not make sense to "ADD" the memory for textures etc as then you are looking at both GPU's trying to fill one buffer memory, or a split buffer. Essentially there are two buffers etc to just increase the frame rates. These buffers are then alternatively dumped to the screen. This is why at low frame rates you get the micro stuttering........................................

 

^ So are you saying Crossfire wouldn't help when increasing the graphics quality of a game? Increasing quality means increasing the model animations and textures quality, adding lighting, particles and shaders, shaders being the one that load probably the most - I do not think Crossfire doesnt improve that... Ok since we are talking about ATI here is below some about it:

What is CrossFire How CrossFire work Build-Your-Own CrossFire System Crossfire PC Crossfire Video Cards-Best Computer Online Store - Buy with Discount Prices from Houston Texas-Directron.com

I think I am on the right track getting a crossfire, I am sure this wasnt invented to not help the framerate and LAG aka low frame rate when more animations and movement are on the screen (or heavier aka higher poly models)... But if even the cable is different it looks like Mission IMPOSSIBLE getting the cable and VC fan...

Btw from the screenshot which exactly is the Xfire CABLE and the VC fans can you show me pls? And most importantly - WHERE can I get them in Europe or ok even on other continents delivery oversees? They are nowhere on the internet.

 

No, we are saying that the physical vRAM you are adding by going crossfire will not increase the usable vRAM in your system. The quality and speed of graphics processing WILL be increased but not by the vRAM, just like you have stated.

 

Ok I see but is this a problem for the game? I know that it's not like 1GB single card. Since it will help load stuff faster and probably not lag due to many animations and effects, it's fine.

Now the question remains, where do I find these parts like the cable and VC fan?

 

The VC fan is shared between the 2 cards.

That means you already have the right fan.

All you need is the new card and the cable, also maybe some thermal pads to put on the video ram.

 

Ok can someone show me (this must be the back of M17) where is the SHARED FAN and where are the two video cards and which is the Crossfire cable?

Also is the crossfire cable to buy this:
- it says Area-51 M17..

OR this one


OR this one

And what are the THERMAL PADS and how do they look for M17 where to buy? ...

and got any places for Europe?