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    Upgrading CPU and GPU on Alienware M17

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by ArcaneBlades, Aug 9, 2012.

  1. ArcaneBlades

    ArcaneBlades Newbie

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    Hi,

    I am trying to get info together so that the third party company ztronics (Alienware routed me to them) can install a new CPU and GPUs for me.

    As for the CPU, I am narrowed down to the Intel Core 2 Extreme X9100 @ 3.06 ghz. There are however two different chips I find on ebay: SLB48 and QHBQ. The SLB48 I believe is OEM which in effect has no meaning to me (Original Equipment Manufacturer I believe), in effect does anyone know the difference?

    Also I want to upgrade my video from ATI Radeon 3870 X2 512mb.
    My understanding is that the M17 cannot handle the 4870 but instead the 4850. If I am buying the chips from ebay even to have ztronics install them for me, how do I ensure that I get the MXM 2.0 edition? That is to ask, if I could find MXM 2.0 cards would they work or overheat? Or should I just stick to the 4850? I want to play Diablo 3 and I read that the 4870 is significantly better than the 4850 therein. My present rig is a P8600, and I run everything at minimum to get a semi playable FPS. Trying to get as much as I can out of this alienware out of warranty.

    Thanks.
     
    ArcaneBlades, Aug 9, 2012
    #1