P170HM dead 580m. What card to replace?

I'm thinking of another 580m or 680m. Ready anything that's at jest as good as the 580m. Any suggestions?

Also, i heard that alienware card can be used but need a different bios installed. Is this correct?

 

I would get a Clevo one to save yourself hassle.. Best options are 580M/680M which are a bit obsolete so honestly, sell the laptop for parts and get a new one..

 

Not sure how that statement makes sense, clevo to save yourself hassle ? their is nothing wrong with the alienware cards, or hardware. moreover, to answer the question. The 680 is the better choice, but as TomJGX pointed out, it's a bit obsolete, if you're wanting to game, it might be time for an upgrade. The alienware 15 r2 for power vs cost is cheaper than just about any other comparable version on the market now, and they have some good deals, might want to check them out, or even the smaller 13 sibling!

 

Get a Clevo 580M/680M as Dell ones won't work easily... As for the AW 15 R2, it's junk.. A Clevo P650/670SE/SG is miles better..

 

Their is nothing wrong with the AW. The clevo is overpriced, and spec for spec can't / won't match that cost of an AW. AW has a great reputation, and performs on paper, and in real life better than the P650. As well as the 670 variant.

With that said @OP. They will both perform very , very well, and give you considerably more future proofing than the 680 card. either way, you'd be happy.

 

Uh, any proofs for that?

 

1 - He is talking about the VIDEO CARD. There are Clevo 680Ms and Dell 680Ms. The Clevo 680Ms will easier work.

2 - LOL. No. Alienware isn't better in price value than Clevos. Plain and simple. They never have been, and likely never will do. Clevo ain't perfect; that is for certain, but this time around, unless one has rather specific needs or finds an EXTREMELY good deal (like a $1500 GT72 with a 970M for example), then Clevo has the best offerings... all round. People will pick similar function and similar price for aesthetics, sure, and that's fine. Everyone do what they want. But a prema mod equipped Clevo just has the best hardware and the most unlocked/customize-able firmware. The rest of the software leaves much to be desired, but won't get in the way of the operation of the machine for the most part.

 

Negative, are you talking about clevo chasis that are pieced together from various companies? Hardware for hardware, the alienware will beat it in price. Like I said, their are a super high volume of people who were told that's false, unfortunately, not everyone does the research before they buy. Plus, if i want a laptop, i'd like to have more than an hour of battery life. the alienware, like I mentioned before is ideal for most situations. If you want high performance gaming, a good solid normal laptop, and the best bang for the buck.

I got a 15 r2 with 128GB ssd, 1TB HDD, 8GB ram, UHD touch screen, the 6700HQ, and the 980M for .... $1790.99
I'm sorry man, that can't be beat. and ANYONE can get that price, that's just the every day price. Also got a free controller!

EDIT : In fact, looking over the sager 15's. http://www.sagernotebook.com/15-Laptops/ Still see nothing that comes close to those specs, or battery life. So, unless you want to change the subject and say it's all about the software, you're just plain wrong, wrong, and more wrong.

 

Maybe you should compare apples to apples and not something else? If you think that's just the everyday price. Then think all over again. can guarantee you that Dell has different sales teams. Not all sales team provide equal discount!! http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-15-r2/pd#overrides=dkcwf03s:6~GT9808G;760~UHD
http://www.hidevolution.com/evoc-p6...gaming-laptop-w-nvidia-gtx-980m-w-g-sync.html
http://rjtech.com/shop/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=219

 

It's not a discount? go to the website and build it. I'm talking about just http://alienware.com, as a premier customer you get a 250 dollar rebate, which arrives in about 10 days. At least mine did. I don't call them bastards, they don't know how to speak to me like a human. I'm not sure what you're on about, if you compare the Alienware to http://www.sagernotebook.com/15-Laptops/ , the alienware is cheaper. That is apples to apples.

Also... when you build the laptop to the same specs as the alienware on HIDevolution.. the alienware is still cheaper, even without the discounts. HID has the EVOC for $1,844.00 with the UHD screen, windows 10, 8GB ram, and a 1TB drive. Alienware constantly has free drives, and are still offering a free 128GB ssd, which is another 60 at HID. Also.. the EVOC doesn't come with a 240Watt adapter, nor does it come with a touch screen , as the alienware does. Moreover, the EVOC ( you linked ) also has a 60Wh battery, compared to alienware's 92Wh. So yeah man, Alienware is cheaper, and you get more. Just as I've said.

 

It might not come with all the things your Alienware does but unlike the Alienware which has Hybrid Boost crap, crappy screens on most models, totally locked down BIOS, the EVOC just works out of the box with little fuss, its easy to repaste the CPU/GPU unlike disassembling the entire machine like you have to do in the AW.. Its functional which is the most important thing IMO..

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

 

I don't feel like discussing this anymore is worth it.. you guys hate on alienware, and yet everything you say is just plain wrong. The alienware is CHEAPER, better options, longer battery, and lighter. My screen is better than the EVOC that was listed. The alienware works perfectly out of the box, I wanted to play CS:GO / GTA 5 and i can do both in 1080p getting over 60fps. Exactly what it was designed to do. I don't know what " hybird boost crap " is.. As for repasting, if you order it from the same place you mentioned the EVOC ( HID ) then they will repast for you for a 25 dollar fee, which is reasonable, as repasting isn't something just anyone should be doing anyways. Not to mention, it's really not " needed ". To many people focus on temps, it's just the way the gaming world has moved to. No argument will work, alienware against the laptops that are supposedly " superior " has yet to provide any real definitive proof that it's better, in fact, i was told in this thread the alienware was more expensive for worse hardware, yet... it has better hardware, longer battery life, lighter, and costs less. So again, i'm sorry, but you're still just plain wrong, wrong, wrong

 

Here, I *MATCHED* the specs across each machine. The Clevo can be found at this link. The Alienware was found using this link. You will need to manually make adjustments in the Clevo configurator, however I believe the AW configurator should be as I left it.
- i7-6700HQ
- 16GB RAM (the Alienware does not specify what RAM, therefore I assume 2 x 8GB 2133MHz default RAM like every other laptop uses and chose that for the P650RG).
- 256GB NVME (PCI/e) SSD. 950 Pro on the P650RG; un-named on the Alienware (as usual).
- 1TB 7200RPM HDD. Neither vendor specifies this drive's name, however on Clevos it is the HGST Travelstar 7K1000 specifically. Very reliable drive.
- Intel 8260ac wifi card.
- Windows 10 Pro x64 (on the P650RG, this includes recovery media in the form of a USB drive; unknown if recovery media is on the Alienware).
- GTX 980M 8GB (with gsync on the P650RG; absent on the Alienware).
- 1080p IPS matte panel on P650RG with gsync. Alienware panel is an unknown factor; I will assume it to be 1080p IPS 60Hz to give benefit of the doubt. Lacks Gsync.
- IC Diamond compound on Clevo. Unknown on Alienware.
- Free shipping on both.
- No dead pixel warranty for 30 days on Clevo. No such warranty available for the Alienware.
- Two years of warranty service for both machines.

Please, feel free to make the same adjustments. Clevo *IS* cheaper. Right there. You can see it. I can also choose the i7-6820HK on the Clevo (and be cheaper than the Alienware still) without getting the 4K screen forced onto me (why you see the more expensive model on the side, which I stopped configuring after realizing I was forced to get the 4K screen for the i7-6820HK).

So... No. Your alienware, spec for spec, price for price, is more expensive. Even if you get $250 off by being a premiere member, it STILL comes out being more expensive (albeit only by $4... $64 if a cash payment was made on the Clevo). For, as far as I can tell, less features.

Granted, the AW has a larger battery and will have better battery life, however the Clevo has a MUX switch to switch between dGPU/Optimus modes (something Alienwares discarded when they made the AW17 R2 and AW17 R3), Gsync, no dead pixel warranty, all products named, guaranteed USB recovery/install media for the OS, and no warranty voidance for flashing custom sBIOS/vBIOS onto the system.

I'm not telling you don't buy your AW. I'm not telling you don't enjoy your AW. But I have just, in excruciating detail, factually proved to you, that Alienware is more expensive, which was the opposite of what you've been saying this entire time. Good day, good night, thank you and goodbye.

I will take my +rep now, gentlemen.

 

That's an awesome comparison, good work. However, incorrect , If you're doing add-ons, then it's not a base for base. you know the 256 SSD on Alienware is more expensive. Base for base, the alienware comes out cheaper, and more features.. still. Also, the alienware is constant, always the same price... whereas the sager, is not. I wen't to XOTICPC and priced up the NP8658 p650rg

FHD with G-sync, 6700HQ, 980M with 8GB GDDR5, 8GB ram ( default ), 1TB 7200rpm Drive , windows 10, came out to 1699.00 for the unit. Also, with the smaller battery, no lighting effects, which some people enjoy, oh, and the alienware has 2 m.2 ports open, and available. Alienware with the EXACT same specifications , but comes with a 128GB samsung m.2 out of the box, can't take it away, costs 1899, they only offer 190 back in rewards with this one, so the cost comes to 1709. so, in this case, you would be correct sir, the alienware IS more expensive. However, you get the much longer battery, the additional drive, and the lighting effects, that many people enjoy. While technically, in this case the sager is cheaper, its not better. You also mentioned unnamed hardware in many of the ranting. If you'd like, i'll take some pics of the ram, and hard drive that were taken out of the AW, it's all samsung.

Moreover, the models from different outlets have different option, XOTICPC doens't offer the diamond pasting, or the USB drive, which no one should need in the first place, The sager does have G-sync, can't deny that, and that might make up for the fact it doens't have the same lighting effects, but it can't make up for the 128GB additional drive you get on the alienware, and the much larger battery. Also, the Sager comes with intels wifi card, whereas the alienware comes with killers dual band, granted, that can be debated as to which is better.

It's important to note that im not simply making my point to argue, but to help others, maybe potential alienware buyers that alienware isn't just an over priced piece of crap. It DOES bring things to the table that the sager doesn't, it DOES have better options, and while 100 dollars more, it makes up for it in other areas, heavily. However, everyone just throws alienware under the buss, because it's gimmicky with the lights, and the weird ass shapes, but it's not an inferior product, like many, many of you claim. The hardware is mostly samsung, at least in the ones I purchase, and it games just like the sager does. You don't need the diamond compound , etc, the temps are fine, it's not any louder, in fact, it's thinner than the sager. So, the fact " it just works " comes into play , so does the alienware. I really don't understand how you can't agree with me. You're building of the machine was from a sale unit at another company, if you want to go by the sale prices then go look at the back to school specials on the alienwears, they are discounted even more so, and you still get the premier customer cash back, and the instant at the same time.

As for the dead pixel issue... that's a gimmick. Dell lets you return a product within 30 days, if you get a dead pixel, you can return it no questions asked. I'm sorry, but i'd rather than a whole new unit than just a new screen. Dell also offers accidental protection for a year for 45 bucks. Does SAGER ? Dell also has in home service techs, does SAGER ? You're trying to compare to things that are pretty equal into making the sager seem superior, you all are, and you're still wrong.

EDIT : If you buy the alienware FROM xoticPC.. it's cheaper than both sagers, lol , here's the image.

https://gyazo.com/4d4600437280463c712c7a8525bd93ff

 

I think a lot of people like me, enjoy the 75Hz screen you can Overclock up to 100Hz + G-sync...!! But Yeah. Some like the lightning effect much better than G-sync feature. Yeah..., Enjoy the very nice feature <lightning effect>, because this nice feature make your gaming even better And never configure the best spec from DELLIENWARE.... The price increases very fast Yeah..., I know you can get G-sync with your Aw <Echo>machines. Only buy the cheap G/A + graphics card and a external screen. Easy fix

 

I never claimed "base machine for base machine". Also be wary that Sager offers 2 year warranty by default (base config) so you'd need to match that with the AW to get a proper comparison too. Also Clevo has backlit keyboards and such; though AlienFX is something from Alienware specifically.

The P65xRx and P67xRx models each have two M.2 ports and two 2.5" SATA III ports. The Alienware has no extra benefit in that case. And I'm not saying that their hardware being unnamed means it's low quality, but that you still do not know what you're exactly getting prior to purchase. It's something I have a HUGE problem with MSI for doing with their default unnamed SSDs in their GT72 and GT80 models, especially when manually choosing say... a Samsung drive, will add the entire cost of that SSD to the price, as if the default SSDs were "free".

XoticPC is a middleman for Sager. LPC-Digital is also a middleman for Sager. You WILL get the same options if selecting the same units. Unfortunately, XoticPC's website has been broken for me for a few months so I've simply taken to using LPC-Digital's website as it loads consistently for me, and the same machines with the same options are available there. You need to select the NP 8658-S or the NP 8657-S for the best price. The -S is a "special" and adds a SSD and IC Diamond and a better default wifi card etc into the base cost, without raising base cost very much.

Now, I have never once said that Alienware is an overpriced piece of crap. Others on this forum will claim it is a piece of crap, because it rightfully IS... in comparison to their previous offerings. This is the important part. They had the most BIOS features, customizability, best out-of-the-box cooling (a modded Clevo back cover with lapped heatsinks and one or two other cooling mods with the machine propped up will usually end up with the best cooling, but since that requires modding, I'm not going to count it right now), and the most upgrade-able format (GTX 260M to GTX 880M? Plug and play just about any card), the only implementation of the legendary MUX switch (iGPU-only, dGPU-only and Optimus/Enduro modes swappable at will). Now they're all soldered, locked down BIOS, no upgrade-ability, no MUX switch, nothing. Their price has come down sharply, no bones about that, but they're not generally "cheaper" than anyone else as long as components are matching. Places like Eurocom and HIDevolution are very expensive for reasons unknown. Places like Sager through LPC/Xotic/etc are much cheaper. Mythlogic is a middle-ground, and while their starting price is somewhat high, a maxed machine will end up having their price be rather competitive (though Sager is almost always cheapest for clevos). BUT their price is in line with others like ASUS. It's just that you can generally find Clevos for cheaper.

Your point, was that Clevos are overpriced and offer less. Which, as I've shown you, is false. And you're still trying to tell me that all the other things extra that it has isn't even worth the in-house warranty service trumps everything else on the machine. It doesn't. Especially if it's 1 year less than the other in a stock config for a machine that is fully soldered at every aspect.

Also, Sagers often have back to school specials. $50-$100 USD off is common over the years depending on the model.

Finally, you are *AGAIN* wrong.

I went and checked that AW model you linked. It has no SSD, 1 year warranty, no ICD paste, 8GB of RAM (not 16GB) and W10 home, and I can't choose the 8260ac wifi card which is a less problematic card. I'm limited to the killer network 1535 or the intel 7265ac.

So, let's match it on the Clevo. Using the link I gave earlier for the Clevo model:

- Removed SSD
- W10 home without recovery media
- 8GB of RAM
- 1TB HDD
- 8260ac wifi card remains; AW can have its 1535 killer card.

$1699, exactly like the AW... except:

- MUX switch
- 2 years warranty over 1
- Gsync
- More flexible warranty service
- IC Diamond thermal paste

But costs the same.

Listen. Say what you want, tell people that AW are fine if you want, but they are not, and never will be, cheaper than a Clevo from Sager. Once you make sure that you get the same things from each manufacturer, the AW is more expensive. Whether it be by a little or a lot, they are more expensive, and offer less features. The only real benefit you have listed is the battery life. The other benefit you have not existed is the capability to use the eGPU solution they have (unless they have removed this and I am unaware of its removal). But those benefits truly don't make any significant difference in the function of it as a laptop gaming machine, when the Clevo's benefits do.

I would say "I'll take my +rep again gentlemen" but ya'll can't give it so fast xD

 

Okay. The 1 year warranty with in home techs does trump sagers two week replacement send it in and get it back. Gsync is highly overrated, to some people. The thermal paste is a gimmick imo, so it's meh, and it's not more flexable, lol, I'm not sure how you think mailing it in, waiting for it to come back is faster than having someone come to your house, so you can use the computer while you wait. The link I sent you from the image was just an example, I already priced it out for you based on the options you had, it was 100 dollars MORE than the Sager, with the SSD, 16GB ram, etc, my point was you get lighting effects, a Longer battery, and a thinner device, with yes, better warranty. that's all I meant, and I apologize if you thought I was saying YOU said it was a piece of crap, I meant that's the general ideology around forums, that's all.

you still make valid points, and I can't really say you're wrong, because the alienware WAS more expensive in the case of that partiular model. Thanks for the breakdown!

 

To get this back in the originally direction: If you have the possibility to buy a Clevo GTX 680m, you will have maxxed out your rig and able to play actual games on medium Settings fluidly. However, you can, as @TomJGX suggested, sell your current one for parts and get either an actual one like a Clevo P750DM or you get an older Clevo P150EM and stuff a GTX 970/980m in it, which will make it a beast. I have done so with my Brothers rig and it runs everything you throw at it. You should get this (P150EM/GTX 980m) for roundabout 1100€ - Parts are not "that" cheap unfortunately.

Feel free to come back with any questions you might have!

EDIT: Just have a look on the NBR Marketplace. There are nice rigs offered from respected NBR members at a reasonable Price, as well as Notebook parts, like a GTX 680m. Might worth looking at it.

 

Agreed, have a look at NBR Marketplace. Some good deals and most people here take good care of their electronics!

 

You can't install a new bios that will work with the clevo cards because Alienware mods their firmware. I found out on my 170hm the hard way a few years ago.

Far as alienware vs. clevo vs. gigabyte (yes they make laptops), I have to say clevo is by farrrrr the cheapest constructed. The laptop itself is made of a crappy plastic chasis that chips and breaks after a year. Above poster was right that it's assembled from many different companies, but he didn't mention how no-name those companies are. Probably how they construct them so cheaply. Feel bad about insulting clevo so directly, but my 170hm broke after little more than a year and it was probably due to how fargile the laptop was.

I've had this gigabyte nearly 2 years now and it seems barely older than when I bought it. Alienware would be a consideration if their pricing wasn't so terribly high, but I will grant you that it looks well-constructed.

 

Nowadays, Clevo laptops don't have these problems... The P170HM was a piece of junk when it came to vBIOS/BIOS compatibility with new GPUs... Alienware GPUs never worked in Clevo and will never do so.. It's the same with MSI GPUs in Clevo laptop... Also it probably broke due to your mishandling.. My P771ZM is quite well built and is pretty intact after 9 months of use..

 

My P370SM3 has no performance issues after nearly 3 years either.

 

@daboosh look at my sig! Nothing wrong with build quality!

Maybe HM-, EM-, SM-Series weren't not of that high build Quality as former Alienware M1XR1/2-Series, but that definitely changed with the current generations of Clevo lineup's!