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    m15x upgrade to 280m?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by tangtang2002, Jan 25, 2010.

  1. tangtang2002

    tangtang2002 Notebook Consultant

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    I am thinking about this. My adapter for m15x is 150w, and I have 920xm(55w), 260m(65w). What is the tdp for 280m? Is 150w enough for 920xm+280m, or I need to buy the 240w adapter for m17x?

    I live in london, and I am looking for a 280m mxm3, any idea where I can find it? Or someone in london want to trade?
     
    tangtang2002, Jan 25, 2010
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  2. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    The TDP for the GTX280M is 75W so ur adapter should be able to take it. You can find it from an alienware store.
     
    sean473, Jan 26, 2010
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  3. Judicator

    Judicator Judged and found wanting.

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    TDP wattage _is not the same_ as the wattage listed for your power adapter. TDP is a measure of the heat given off by the components (in watts). The wattage for your adapter is how much electrical power (also, unfortunately, in watts) it provides. Even though they're both measured in watts, they're not equivalent. That would be like saying a gallon of gasoline is equivalent to a gallon of milk...

    That said, I believe someone has already tried putting a 280M in a M15x and it worked. I don't know if they had to change power adapters, though (I don't believe so).
     
    Judicator, Jan 26, 2010
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  4. tangtang2002

    tangtang2002 Notebook Consultant

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    I just want to know if the original adapter(150w)is enough for 920xm(55w) and 280m(75w)...
     
    tangtang2002, Jan 26, 2010
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  5. ahl395

    ahl395 Ahlball

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    AFAIK, its not just the power adapter's Max output.

    You have to think about how much power the Mobo will supply the card with, and if the BIOS will accept it. As well as the extra heat the 280M will output, and whether or not the M15x's cooling system will be able to handle it. ;)
     
    ahl395, Jan 26, 2010
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  6. Judicator

    Judicator Judged and found wanting.

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    The 55w and 75w you put in for the CPU and GPU are nearly irrelevant, because it doesn't measure the same thing as the 150w does for the adapter.

    As I said before, someone (I think it was sleey0?) has already put a GTX-280M in their M15x, and it seemed to work just fine, although I don't know how much stress they tried putting on it. If you want details, you might want to search for the original posts on the subject in the Alienware subforum.
     
    Judicator, Jan 27, 2010
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  7. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    sean473, Jan 27, 2010
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