I need to buy/borrow a compatible video card

I have an old Alienware M17 with ATI Mobility Radeon 512 MB M88 XT

http://www.ztronics.com/oemcost/med...8eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/a/t/ati_3870.jpg
http://i00.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/728/903/482/482903728_515.jpg

That's what it looks like. Since I am getting problems with it (BSOD, white lines and colors every time I load the graphics with some 3D game and yes - latest drivers for it, Win 7 reinstall, games reinstall, removed and inserted again the video card - still the same) and I want to at least try if the problem is caused by the card by testing another one.

DO you know which cards are compatible with it, it uses MXM 2.1 Type III I think, here is how the slot looks like. The white plastic slots in the center of the Motherboard (where it makes U curve) is
http://www.ipc-computer.de/largeimage/Mainboard-/-Hauptplatine-fuer-Alienware-M17-R1-pId-2663641.jpg

From another forum I learned ATI HD 4850 1 GB and ATI HD 4870 are the compatible ones.. so if you have any of those so that I can borrow or buy, that's what I need. Or ofc another ATI HD3870,

Best is

Alienware M17 ATI Radeon HD 4850 1GB Master MOBL VM981GBMST that is certain to be compatible.

However, I am in Europe, so have that in mind.

 

Have you tried baking the card in an oven? (200C, ~8mins)

 

No, because I have still important data on it and still need to use it to make anything like that, besides, I would say a change or upgrade of the card, this is hardly an option...

 

The video card, not the whole laptop. Baking the card can save a near-dead card at times, apparently.

 

Yep. This is under the assumption that over prolonged usage some of the solder connections on the card may have cracked and are thus malfunctioning.
If baking doesn't solve it you may have either defective IC's or a defective core.
Regarding compatibility, the motherboard you linked to is not a MXM 2.1 machine, it's the mobo from M17x R1.
I'm assuming you actually have the old-gen true-alienware (before dell takeover)?

If so, ideally you're looking for either a MXM 20 Type III AMD HD 4870m or a crossfire of two 4850 cards.
For the crossfire you'll need to make sure they're specifically sold as Master/Slave cards.
Unfortunately they're pretty hard to find.

It might be worth it more to bake your current card (it shouldn't be damaged by it if you stick to the right temps - more on google) and sell the machine.

In case baking fixes it, consider buying a 3870m slave and crossfiring them:
Alienware M17 ATI Radeon M88 HD 3870 512MB Slave Card | eBay

 

Baking is a rather barbaric way of reflowing - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The problem is people can't seem to really agree on the temperature at which to heat the oven to. The melting point of the solder joints on boards like this I believe is 180 C to 190 C (or approximately 356 F to 374 F).

 

Yes, I know you mean the card but what if I can't access windows at all from damaging the card? I need to have access to my HDD, I can't make my laptop unusable

@sangemaru

One guy http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-area-51-aurora-legacy-systems/557756-looking-ati-3870-master-replacement.html]here, seemd to have had a similar issue with artifacts and fixed it that way but.. still. Yes I have AW from 2008 (Dell bought them in Sept 2009 afaik),



How do I do that, isn't there a risk for health if it releases poisonous gases, idk what chemicals are on it other than the plastic things, silicon, well you can see it on the first link. What I just put it on some tray and Aluminium foil, bake it at 200C for like 7 mins, where in the middle of the oven, the lower or the upper side of the oven, should I wait for 200 degrees to heat up before I put it inside or do it straight with turning the oven on (temperature will be 0 and probably at 8th min not even reach 200 degrees)? Won't the plastics melt? Then what? And won't that make it unusable if it melts too much? I should be able to access windows and my files. - some detailed step by step way pls is anything needing removal?

No crossfire for now, the Mobo is just to show the slot for the video card,


And yes would love to have 4850 for a little upgrade but too expensive with VAT taxes and is not sold in Europe. My question was rather is there anyone around who wants to have his card borrowed, sell such a video card?

 

with out an automated machine or a guide for the heating iron i find baking is lees barbaric as with out a pre heater it warps the board horribly.

 

Check eBay. I see them here in the states for $130-150.

 

Yeah but as it seems if I wanted a small upgrade such as ATI HD 4850 it's only sold in the US for the Alienware M17 HD 4850 one. And even for ATI HD 3870 they are not sold in Europe even for ebay

 

Does anyone have a spare ATI HD 3870 M88 XT Master or ATI HD 4850 M98 1GB for sale?

 

i have a hd4670 ddr2 mxm 2.1 type II

 

I just bought few of those 4850m and I'm waiting for them. Hopefully they will arrive this week and after testing I will wanna sell part of those on the Marketplace. And I'm from EU.

 

You might have better luck posting this in the NBR Marketplace.