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Help upgrading Alienware laptop graphics card

Tags:
  • Laptops
  • Graphics
  • Graphics Cards
  • Alienware
  • Configuration
Last response: in Laptop Tech Support
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August 19, 2014 7:10:37 PM

Hey guys im kind of new to the site so i am not sure if this is in the correct thread but here is the issue. I have an alienware m17x r3 laptop and would like to upgrade the graphics card in it. i I know its possible i just don't know if i have the right card and if it would be compatible. The one i am looking at right now is an Nvidia Geforce Gtx 580m http:// Basically my only concern is that i only have $300 dollars for all of the components required for the upgrade, btw i am upgrading from a 460m, and i dont know if i need a special bracket, thermal paste, etc. basically i have never done this before.

So if anyone could tell me if this would work and maybe give me a few tips i would really appreciate it.

More about : upgrading alienware laptop graphics card

August 20, 2014 7:27:44 PM

If you actually payed 1,499 for a gaming laptop, sir, you could have gotten a PC with a GTX 780 and a Intel i5 processor. You wasted a lot of money, if you still have a warrantee on it I STRONGLY advise returning it and building your own computer, I can link a tutorial to build one or I can link you a good website for prebuilt computers.
http://www.ibuypower.com - Prebuilt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsyxM_j3Y4U&list=PL02HD... - Tutorial on a build [Only difference would be if you decided to go intel instead of a AMD]
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vVVyHx
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vVVyHx/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Performance ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($138.70 @ Amazon)
Storage: Axiom 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($120.27 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290X 4GB ROG MATRIX Video Card ($636.30 @ Newegg)
Case: Apevia X-SNIPER2-BL ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Archgon CB-5021-GD DVD/CD Writer ($45.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($187.97 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1577.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-20 22:27 EDT-0400
Have fun,
Cameron
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August 20, 2014 10:47:38 PM

On a laptop it can't be done. The laptop hardware for your laptop is made to specifically work with that laptop case. It doesn't matter how much money you spend on it or what kind of mounting bracket is in there. That graphics card is married to that laptop period.
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September 28, 2014 5:21:53 AM

Can be done for Alienware laptops. Researching same myself currently. Poke around over at Notebook Review (sorry to send you to another site), they have a fairly extensive Alienware section. Have seen detailed post of a fellow who upgraded from 460M to 780M.

And to Cameron G, sometimes priamary requirement is for portability, some of us don't go home to the one place every night, but still love to game.
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