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    Alienware M17x GPU upgrades wanted

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by spikerules, Feb 1, 2010.

  1. spikerules

    spikerules Notebook Guru

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    I'm wanting to change my SLI 260M's for the more powerful 4870 crossfire cards. Does anyone know where I could buy them or is anyone selling them here? I've been offered some over on the US notebook forums for 950 USD but I think that price is too steep and I'm looking for a UK exchange or purchase.

    Thanks

    If anyone is interested, I will be selling my cards when I get a good deal on the 4870's :)
     
    spikerules, Feb 1, 2010
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  2. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Buy from alienware?
     
    moral hazard, Feb 1, 2010
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  3. spikerules

    spikerules Notebook Guru

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    No that would be insanley expensive....
     
    spikerules, Feb 1, 2010
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  4. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    really?

    I thought that was the cheapest way to get them???
     
    moral hazard, Feb 1, 2010
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  5. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    Depends if Alienware uses the proietory connector, which I'm not sure on. If so, then Alienware itself would be the way to go, unless you can find working ones on Ebay.

    If they are not proprietory, then there are probably a number of online stores that have them stocked.

    And to the OP, that's one crazy desktop you have, I'll bet you had to spend an insane amount of money on that.
     
    Amnesiac, Feb 1, 2010
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  6. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I think it's MXM HE.
     
    moral hazard, Feb 1, 2010
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  7. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    Do both of them use it though?

    There is pretty much no info on Google.
     
    Amnesiac, Feb 1, 2010
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  8. spikerules

    spikerules Notebook Guru

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    I built it myself a while ago (year or so) and it's still going strong :) Built it via components bought from overclockers amongst other places... Really is a beast ;) All I need now is to improve the graphics of my laptop! So how do I go about buying these things from alienware?
     
    spikerules, Feb 1, 2010
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  9. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I think only those who bought the system from alienware can by the GPUs, and other parts from them.

    Since you have put yours together yourself, you wont have an account with alienware, so I doubt you could buy it from them.
     
    moral hazard, Feb 1, 2010
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  10. Judicator

    Judicator Judged and found wanting.

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    Assuming this is the new All-Powerful M17x, it should be using MXM 3.0B, like just about every other current gaming system. HE was a tag applied to the older MXM standard (1.3-2.1).
     
    Judicator, Feb 1, 2010
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  11. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Ok, sorry, that card also comes in MXM 2.1 HE format so I wasn't sure.
     
    moral hazard, Feb 1, 2010
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  12. spikerules

    spikerules Notebook Guru

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    Well I phoned Alienware and they told me to replace my GPU's AND send out a technician it would be £480!! Thats for 2 4870's and the technician... this sounds odd considering the cards are being sold on ebay for 350 and above each?

    Well I might go for it and then sell my 260M's on ebay for around £250-300? What do you guys think I should do?
     
    spikerules, Feb 2, 2010
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  13. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    Technician? How's the cost of they send you the cards and you replace them yourself?
     
    Amnesiac, Feb 2, 2010
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  14. Marecki_clf

    Marecki_clf Homo laptopicus

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    Marecki_clf, Feb 2, 2010
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  15. spikerules

    spikerules Notebook Guru

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    They called back and said I had the rev1 motherboard and needed the rev2 motherboard for the ATI cards! Is there any truth in this?? I haven't heard about this online before!!?

    The cost of the cards would be £345 without the technician...
     
    spikerules, Feb 2, 2010
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  16. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    I don't think that u need a rev 2 board... it should work since it is MXM after all... i would jump and get the cards and see if they work... if they don't , return them and get the 280M...
     
    sean473, Feb 2, 2010
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  17. spikerules

    spikerules Notebook Guru

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    Yeah I thought that would be the case! I'll see if they will sell them to me :)
     
    spikerules, Feb 2, 2010
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  18. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    It may be that you need a different motherboard...

    Desktops have to use different motherboards if they are to use SLI or Crossfire...
     
    Amnesiac, Feb 2, 2010
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  19. spikerules

    spikerules Notebook Guru

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    I'm sure my desktop supports both... But I know a lot don't :( Snyone got any clarification on this???
     
    spikerules, Feb 2, 2010
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  20. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    I'd do what Sean said and buy them, see if they work, then return them if they don't.
     
    Amnesiac, Feb 2, 2010
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  21. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    don't worry... ur M17x MXM Slots are the same for sure... they should be swapable.. stop worrying and jump the gun! Somemore , ur laptop already has SLI slots/ Crossfire ones... but 1 more thing... u'll need a crossfire cable... SLi one won't work... so make sure alienware sell u that cable too...
     
    sean473, Feb 3, 2010
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  22. DR650SE

    DR650SE The Whiskey Barracuda

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    Check in the Alienware forum here in NBR, theres lots of good info there specifically for this laptop. You are better off getting the cards if you can find an owner here willing to sell them. Although since the nVidia cards cause terrible stuttering, especially when coupled with a quad core CPU, the fix by dell is normally to replace them with ATIs. But buying them afterward is going to cost an arm and a leg sinc eyou have to buy both cards plus the crossfire cable. The SLI cable will not be interchangable. If you get the cards, its as easy as pulling them out and swapping them. Of course you'll need to make sure your drivers are up to date. Perhaps you want to consider selling your laptop and using the money for a new one. Even the M17X R2. But again, check the Alienware Forum
     
    DR650SE, Feb 5, 2010
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