Alienware m17 processor upgrade

Hi everyone.
I bought an Alienware m17 back in 2009, right before they discontinued it. The Specs are
Operating System
MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8600 @ 2.40GHz
Penryn 45nm Technology
RAM
4.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz (7-7-7-20)
Motherboard
alienware alienware (U2E1)
Graphics
Generic PnP Monitor (1440x900@60Hz)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 X2 (Rioworks)
Hard Drives
244GB Seagate ST9250410ASG ATA Device (SATA)
Optical Drives
DTSOFT Virtual CdRom Device
Optiarc DVD RW AD-7590S ATA Device
ELBY CLONEDRIVE SCSI CdRom Device
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio


I feel like im set with the graphics card, but as far as RAM and the Processor goes I would like to upgrade, especially the processor. I was wondering with the built in motherboard, would it be possible to upgrade the processor and add 2 more gigs of ram, or do I already have the best possible processor for the slot on my motherboard. Also, if I can get a new processor, what kind should i upgrade to if I want to play games like Skyrim at better than the low performance settings.

 

I believe you can upgrade to 8GB's of DDR3. You can find 8GB kits for under $40.

As for the processor, the best dual core options are:

T9900
T9800
T9600
P9700
P9600
P9500

I'd get the T9600, good performance to price ratio($90 on eBay). Make sure you get an OEM processor and not a possibly buggy ES or QS.

 

Ok thanks!

 

or go extreme with x9100 and clock the sucker to the max possible without overheat

 

That Alienware can also go with the quad core options as well I believe.

 

As miro gt and others have noted, I'm pretty sure you can go up to quad core extreme on that alienware. However, while that will help gaming performance, it won't be as effective as a new gpu (which I have no idea if a new one if possible, but I think it is unlikely).

Also, keep in mind how long you plan on having your alienware. It wouldn't do well to throw in several hundred bucks upgrading, and then decide you want something new and have those upgrades go to waste.

Your ram is plenty, but you can easily go up to 8gbs of ram for under 50 bucks.

 

The 3870 X2 is still very decent, it scores around 13500 in 3DMark06:

ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 X2 - Notebookcheck.net Tech

I've heard of people installing quads in their m17's, but I also remember them talking about power issues. To avoid any problems and to not break the bank, I suggest a fast dual core.

 

The Extreme Edition chip has the same tdp as my qx9300 which is a quad core and also an extreme chip. Architecture changes brought better energy management

 

Thanks everyone. Im probably going to get a new laptop for college next summer, so I was just planning on not spending much on an upgrade to hold me over until then.

 

Back when I used to have a M17 I also replaced my p8600 with a qx9300.. Gave me nothing but trouble. Sound started stuttering. Machine started hanging and so on. Not a pretty sight. Would go with one of those T9X00 series chips. Atleast those wont fry your M17.

Dunno if there was a specific bios update for the qx9300 since I sold my M17 though..

 

The fear of frying the laptop is a minimal one.
Apply a good thermal grease onto the cpu and make sure to clean out the laptops from dust once or twice per year.

I would personally advocate you upgrade the CPU to a quad... but I don't think you would need the extreme edition (as those can probably be expensive).
I think a Q9100 would suffice - though if you can get a more powerful quad for a reasonable price, then do it.
You can also fiddle with undervolting the CPU while keeping it at the same clock speed... that would further reduce it's temperatures.

The Q9100 would bump your CPU performance to a current mobile second gen SB i5 level, and probably help out with the GPU in low FPS count (plus it's cheap).

I'd do it for the kicks.

 

There is no need for a quad for a temporary upgrade. If you read his post, this is what OP says:

Just buy one of the T9800 / T9900 and move on. Buy the quad core in your new laptop.


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