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    Thinking of upgrading my alienware m18xr2

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Afganhuladancer, Aug 3, 2018.

  1. Afganhuladancer

    Afganhuladancer Newbie

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    Thinking of upgrading my alienware m18xr2 with new video cards. I currently have dual hd 7970m in crossfire. But i believe on **** the bed as its not running right with drivers installed. IE its the first in the chain and i have to disable it to get windows to load. if i dont i get a blank screen on windows password login. So im thinking of going with the GTX870M. Can i just change out the GPUs and change drivers/ bios and go? or is there a crossfire cable that i need to change too?
     
    Afganhuladancer, Aug 3, 2018
    #1
  2. Arrrrbol

    Arrrrbol Notebook Deity

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    Are you looking for a single GPU or Crossfire/SLI?

    I wouldn't bother with the 800 series, they are pretty weak. For about the same price you can get a 970M or 980M or I believe some newer AMD stuff might work. @Rengsey R. H. Jr. might know more about what works and whether you need a newer BIOS.
     
    Arrrrbol, Aug 3, 2018
    #2
    Rengsey R. H. Jr. likes this.
  3. Afganhuladancer

    Afganhuladancer Newbie

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    well i honestly dont know. thinking about it i could get a single 880m. i only play world of tanks and its not a gpu dependant game. but i do want to run it at the highest settings.
     
    Afganhuladancer, Aug 3, 2018
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  4. Afganhuladancer

    Afganhuladancer Newbie

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    im running windows 7 ultimate 64bit so the 9 series wont work.
     
    Afganhuladancer, Aug 3, 2018
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  5. Mr.K-1994

    Mr.K-1994 Notebook Consultant

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    The GTX 880M is even slightly behind the GTX 1050 so I suggest:
    1.Move from W7 to W8.1 and get a GTX 980M/1060/1070/1080.
    2.Get a GTX 880M.
     
    Mr.K-1994, Aug 3, 2018
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  6. Rengsey R. H. Jr.

    Rengsey R. H. Jr. I Never Slept

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    The Alienware M18x-R2 pretty much takes any MXM 3.0 Cards. But if you don't want to have to worry about fan issues when upgrading, go with nVidia cards. All the 600/700/800/900 and 1000 series card will work. Just require an unlock bios.
     
    Rengsey R. H. Jr., Aug 3, 2018
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  7. michealscott

    michealscott Notebook Geek

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    970M recommended. It is way better than 880M. Upgrade to Windows 8.1 or 10 depending on preference.

    Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
     
    michealscott, Aug 4, 2018
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  8. Mastermind5200

    Mastermind5200 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Recommend a 970m at $300 and a 780M at $250. As well, a 8950m (cut down 8970m) is only $40 or so, and they have extremely low rates of failure and perform at about 770m/860m level.
     
    Mastermind5200, Aug 4, 2018
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  9. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    980M is the way to go, anything less is not worth the money in 2018
     
    Raidriar, Aug 13, 2018
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  10. Mastermind5200

    Mastermind5200 Notebook Virtuoso

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    970M is good, but if you can find a 980M for less than 350 than yeah
     
    Mastermind5200, Aug 13, 2018
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  11. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    Not really, 300 for a 970M vs 400 for a 980M, the extra 100$ is easily justified forget even 780M/880M any kepler card, they're not worth pursuing at all.
     
    Raidriar, Aug 13, 2018
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  12. Mastermind5200

    Mastermind5200 Notebook Virtuoso

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    A 970M is around $250, while the cheapest 980M I could find is $350. IMO it all depends on your scenario, but If I were low on cash 970M all the way.
    But yeah 980M destroys the 970M.

    The only kepler I would maybe consider is a 680M for a M17X R2, anything up to a 770M is beat or equal to the $40 8950M
     
    Mastermind5200, Aug 13, 2018
    #12