Can I upgrade my M17xR3's Graphics Card and how??

[legacysplash804]

I want to Upgrade my M17xR3
PC Specs:
Processor: Intel(R)Core(TM) i7-2630QM CPU @ 2.00 GHz
Installed Memory(Ram): 8Gb
System Type: 64bit
Graphics Card: Intel HD 3000(why my laptop sucks)
Model: M17xR3 (I checked)

 

[pete_101]

The graphics you've listed is only the processor (CPU) graphics. Do you know if it has a dedicated graphics card in it? If it does then you should be able to upgrade it, if it doesn't then you don't have anything to upgrade. I just looked on Youtube, and there are a few videos there on how to swap out the old graphics card for a new one.

BTW, if it does have a dedicated card, maybe it's not being used, check the power settings, make sure they are on high power and not power saving.....otherwise the graphics card won't be used.

 

[toshibitsu]

Looks like there is a PCI-E slot on there that's compatible with the following cards:
nVidia GTX 460m 1.5GB
nVidia GTX 580m 2GB
Radeon HD 6870m 1GB

It may also be compatible with these: Radeon HD 8970m 4GB or nVidia GTX 675m 4GB (would need the part # directly off of your motherboard to verify - which would be on the bottom side next to the memory slots)

 

[legacysplash804]

The graphics you've listed is only the processor (CPU) graphics. Do you know if it has a dedicated graphics card in it? If it does then you should be able to upgrade it, if it doesn't then you don't have anything to upgrade. I just looked on Youtube, and there are a few videos there on how to swap out the old graphics card for a new one.

BTW, if it does have a dedicated card, maybe it's not being used, check the power settings, make sure they are on high power and not power saving.....otherwise the graphics card won't be used.

How do I check the dedicated graphics card?

 

[toshibitsu]

That long slot in the middle/bottom is the "dedicated graphics card" slot: https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB19vrPQVXXXXcqXVXXq6xXFXXX5/Laptop-Motherboard-CN-0GFWM3-For-dell-for-Alienware-M17X-R3-0GFWM3-GFWM3-HM67-PAR00-LA-6601P.jpg_640x640.jpg

 

[legacysplash804]

That long slot in the middle/bottom is the "dedicated graphics card" slot: https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB19vrPQVXXXXcqXVXXq6xXFXXX5/Laptop-Motherboard-CN-0GFWM3-For-dell-for-Alienware-M17X-R3-0GFWM3-GFWM3-HM67-PAR00-LA-6601P.jpg_640x640.jpg

I'm not sure if I have the dedicated graphics card I'm not going to open up my laptop just to see that,(I'm not the one that's going to change graphics card)

 

[toshibitsu]

If you do get a video card, make sure it includes the heatsink(otherwise you'll have to acquire that separately). Both pieces are required.

Here's someone on ebay selling a 580 video card for it: https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Dell-Alienware-M17x-R3-M18x-Nvidia-GTX-580M-2GB-Video-Graphics-Card-3MF8R/122863140398?hash=item1c9b36be2e:g:cREAAOSwSrNaNBLh:sc:USPSPriorityMailSmallFlatRateBox!94112!US!-1

and here is the heat sink: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-AlienWare-M17x-R3-GPU-Video-Card-Cooling-Heatsink-P-N-V1K2G/230994780936?hash=item35c85ca308:g:LfMAAOxyVX1RsTSk

I don't see anyone selling both pieces together.