MXM slot questions?

Hello everyone,

I have been looking information about MXM slots, and recently just found out that there are different sizes of them. I also heard about certain companies have their own custom MXM slots such as Asus... Is this a problem/issue to think about when upgrading laptop graphics card? I don't own a gaming laptop yet, I just want to know if companies like sager have their own custom MXM slots, and possible conflicts when upgrading the graphics card. What do you guys think?

 

Sager/Alienware use the standard MXM slot... Asus uses inverted MXM slots so stay away from them.. For upgrading, best to stick to Sager/Alienware...

 

I see. What other brands of laptop uses MXM slots for their higher end laptops? Just wondering, probably will get a sager for my gaming laptop soon.

 

MSI use normal MXM slots too but their cards have no Crossfre/SLI capability since MSI doesn't have any dual GPU machines... I can't think of anyone else on top of my head...

 

ASUS uses inverted MXM? As in the actual pin outs are reversed or the card is flipped over? But I thought they use a normal MXM connector, just the PCB is all kinds of funky shapes, which is why the G73JH owners can upgrade to 7970M and still keep up to this day when paired with OC'ed 920XM. Or maybe some ASUS models use inverted MXM instead of/in addition to proprietary board design.

 

Dell Precisions have MXM slots as well.

 

As do HP workstations. I think it's fairly common in this category.

 

HP are pain in a~ss to upgrade due to retard and sometimes poorly coded BIOS.

 

HP is drop in upgrade as far as I read~

 

Asus used both, the JH had a standard layout, but previous models had an inverted connector. Asus is known for not sticking to reference designs.

 

Interesting. I probably will stay with Sager due to Alienwares are overpriced.

@TomJGX - Why are MSI video cards have no SLI/CFX capability? Are their laptops not capable of running SLI/CFX, or their video cards?

 

Both.

10char

 

Sager/Clevo are great for the price (I own 2, Clevo W860CU and a Clevo P170HM), I also have owned an Alienware M17x R2, and I can tell you:

If you can afford the Alienware, it is way worth it. The speakers are hella better (Clevo speakers suck), the keyboard is better (chicklet keyboard is meh vs Alienware keyboard), support for future MXM cards is better (M17x R2 can install almost every modern MXM module out there without too much hassle), overall build quality is better, and I have found Alienware hold their value much better than Clevos. Do your research, some models are problematic. It's like the classic Mac vs PC, you do pay more, but the quality and support are way better. If you just want a cheap no frills gaming laptop, then Clevo and their rebrands are great. If you want a more premium laptop and price isn't the highest priority, Alienware is definitely a good buy.

 

Yes so MSI removes this from their cards.. Help them save a few £££ or $$$$ if your american

 

Thanks for the reply. Speakers and keyboard... they aren't the most important factor, so i might kind of pass away with it. How terrible is the sound quality and keyboard in your opinion? As for MXM card support, how are you sure about alienware laptops being the best for upgrading compatibility?

 

Clevo would mostly need a mod bios or some tinkering for a newer card to work, while alienware usually is a drop in upgrade.

 

Are Sager/Clevo laptops that hard to upgrade than alienwares? Why are alienwares easier?

 

He just said it: Because of BIOS support.

 

It all depends on what you are looking for. Some people just want the cheapest laptop to game, and Clevo laptops fit the bill quite nice. But when you go to use it 24/7, a crappy keyboard can be a complete turn off. Sound I think is important, I do play alot of music while I game, and well Clevo speakers aren't anywhere near as loud as my R2, the sound quality is very hollow, lacking any bass. Some people prefer a more "premium" feeling laptop, and that's why such brands exist, it's like the difference between buying a BMW and a Honda.

The older Clevo laptops had really good MXM support, newer models aren't being updated to the extent of the older models.

 

MXM technical before 3.0

MXM technical v3.0

 

Beside physical sizes of the cards, what makes the laptop BIOS so hard to accept new video cards? How is it different than putting a video card on a desktop? Can someone explain?

 

vendor lock in i might guess. it's the similar to micro codes for CPUs, with out that code the mobo can't recognize the CPU, but, for mxm this dictate how or where external video out puts are and fan speed etc etc. sooooooo, if the bios lack s the code to support the video card's vbios issues can and or will arise.