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    GPU upgrade options for Alienware M18x R1 ?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by NightEye, Jun 7, 2016.

  1. NightEye

    NightEye Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi.

    The AMD 6990m in my M18x are showing signs of imminent death : artefacts, freezes, impossible to boot if the pilots for the cards are installed (as VGA I can boot... with artefacts all other the screen) and the Dell Diagnostic tool in the bios finds a "Video memory integrity test discrepancy".
    Replaced the thermal paste and pads, didn't change a thing as I suspected, so here it is, I want to replace my two 6990m for a single better card.

    And I have a few questions :)

    1) Can I trust the list on Eurocom to know what cards are compatible with my m18x R1 ?
    http://www.eurocom.com/ec/upgrade(3,267,0)ec

    2) My BIOS is the A05 from 2012 (latest I could find). Would I need to update it to install a new CG ?

    3) Same question if I decide to go for Nvidia instead of AMD ?

    Thank you in advance.

    ps : sorry for my english, it's not my birth language. :oops:
     
    NightEye, Jun 7, 2016
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  2. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    4) Is it even worth to spend an indicated* ~$300 USD on this old platform today?

    *google quick search
     
    tilleroftheearth, Jun 7, 2016
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  3. NightEye

    NightEye Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm waiting for the Pascal in HBM2 next year (1080ti ?) before building a new computer (not a laptop this time).
    So yeah, I just need a GPU to get me that far in this old platform. ;)
     
    NightEye, Jun 7, 2016
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  4. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    I think you will sooner outgrow a desktop, than a notebook. ;)

    You might still be further ahead buying a new or newer (used/working) platform instead and selling everything when you have the parts for the desktop you want in that future time.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Jun 7, 2016
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  5. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    The best card you can get is AMD 8970Ms or NVIDIA 780Ms.. You can get a 780M for around $300 from the forum, few people are selling.. @Raidriar is selling 2 I think if you want to go the SLI route..
     
    TomJGX, Jun 7, 2016
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  6. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    I can sell you good tested Dell OEM 780M flashed to svl7's vBIOS + necessary SLI cable for 630 shipped (or 310 single, shipped). I have the same setup in my M18x R1 after the 6990Ms died. All you have to do is remove the black tape around the copper area, and clean well/leave no sticky residue. Let me know what you want to do!

    Also, you should flash to svl7's unlocked A05, many useful options in there. My M18x R1 780M SLI is a beast and can crush today's BGA notebooks with ease.
     
    Raidriar, Jun 7, 2016
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  7. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

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    What are the "pilots for the cards"?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    alexhawker, Jun 7, 2016
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  8. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

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    What are the "pilots for the cards"?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    alexhawker, Jun 7, 2016
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  9. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    I think he means drivers
     
    Raidriar, Jun 7, 2016
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  10. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

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    Ah, thanks


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    alexhawker, Jun 7, 2016
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  11. NightEye

    NightEye Notebook Enthusiast

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    I thought those were the two best options. Thanks for confirming that.

    Well, I'm in Europe (I assume you're in the US), not sure if international shipping is an option ?
    Also, where can I find svl7 unlocked bios ?

    Indeed, that's what I meant. :)
     
    NightEye, Jun 7, 2016
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  12. CaerCadarn

    CaerCadarn Notebook Deity

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    IS is always possible but all shipments outside europe will be taxed additionally. Inside europe it's not a Problem at all.

    You can find the vBios here.
     
    CaerCadarn, Jun 8, 2016
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  13. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    We can declare "gift" or low value ($25USD), tell me where in Europe and I can come up with a final number for you. PM me

    svl7's vBIOS can be found on techinferno, it is universal and works very well, which is why I will leave it on the cards. I can flash back to stock dell OEM vBIOS if you'd like.
     
    Raidriar, Jun 8, 2016
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  14. NightEye

    NightEye Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ah, I thought it was a bios for the motherboard.
    Thank you.

    I'm sending you a PM.
     
    NightEye, Jun 8, 2016
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  15. NightEye

    NightEye Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hmm. Not sure if I did this right.
     
    NightEye, Jun 8, 2016
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  16. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    Got your message, we are talking
     
    Raidriar, Jun 8, 2016
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  17. NightEye

    NightEye Notebook Enthusiast

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    Okay, just bought a 780m from Raidriar. :)
     
    NightEye, Jun 9, 2016
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  18. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Good news! Enjoy the upgrade!
     
    TomJGX, Jun 9, 2016
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  19. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    Hope it gets to Francia safely!
     
    Raidriar, Jun 9, 2016
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  20. rawhide85

    rawhide85 Notebook Consultant

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    @NightEye - Please keep us updated on the upgrade process. If possible post some pictures. Good luck

    Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
     
    rawhide85, Jun 20, 2016
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  21. NightEye

    NightEye Notebook Enthusiast

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    OK :)

    So it took about 6 days for the package to arrive, pretty fast all in all.
    I took Friday afternoon off from work (I wanted to do that anyway) and it took me about 4 hours to take the M18x apart, remove the old 6990m, put paste and pads on the 780m, and putting the whole thing back together.
    I'm sure that's long for the experts here but it took me even longer the first time. :p

    So, hardware-wise, it went fine but I had a bit of trouble installing the drivers.
    Luckily, Raidriar explained the workaround to me with download links and all.
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...s-lounge-thread.660296/page-391#post-10279183
    Thumbs up to him ! :vbthumbsup:

    Now it works fine, the card is recognized as it's supposed to be and I have a nice little upgrade. So long 2D pixel art games ! :D
     
    NightEye, Jun 20, 2016
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  22. yotano21

    yotano21 Notebook Evangelist

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    Minesweeper is the best.
     
    yotano21, Jun 20, 2016
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  23. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    I wonder if they opened it to check the note...sorry if the French grammar was all wrong, I haven't spoken french in 6 years lol
     
    Raidriar, Jun 20, 2016
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  24. Mobius 1

    Mobius 1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    omelette du fromage
     
    Mobius 1, Jun 20, 2016
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  25. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    You know for Dexter being a boy genius...he never got his French correct. Supposed to be omlette au fromage
     
    Raidriar, Jun 20, 2016
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  26. NightEye

    NightEye Notebook Enthusiast

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    The box seemed untouched. I had a parcel opened by customs once, you could tell I promise : there was a note saying the parcel was opened and it was closed with Customs marked adhesive.
    No such thing this time.

    The fact you know that is proof enough your French is better than most. ;)
     
    NightEye, Jun 21, 2016
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  27. Mobius 1

    Mobius 1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Merde au bga?
     
    Mobius 1, Jun 21, 2016
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  28. CaerCadarn

    CaerCadarn Notebook Deity

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    Merde au x BGA! ;)
     
    CaerCadarn, Jun 22, 2016
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  29. Mobius 1

    Mobius 1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    nice
     
    Mobius 1, Jun 22, 2016
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  30. Shanstaoz

    Shanstaoz Newbie

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    Hey everybody.

    I have 2 x M18x R1's.

    1 - 460m SLI, 1 - 6970m CF.

    The primary 6970 has died (RAM faults).

    I would like to convert both to 780m SLI. (Obviously do 2 single cards first, I'm not a millionaire!)

    I need new heat sink/pipe assembly's don't I?

    Has the SLI cable changed since the 460m, will I need another one?

    Regards.

    Shane.
     
    Shanstaoz, Jul 1, 2016
    #30