Question *Don’t Laugh* Need mobile GPU Help

[LordDaius]

I have 4 kids so it’s hard to build up a rig. I have acquired an old Alienware 17 and was thinking of updating the GPU. Question is should I snag an used 870m or spend $50 more and get a 970m? Screen resolution is 1600x900. Not trying to get any insane FPS. Something consistent is all I need for now. I will build something high end late next year and am just trying to get 18 months of gameplay.

 

[rolli59]

It really depends on the rest of the hardware but I think the 870m should handle that resolution fine.

 

[TJ Hooker]

Have you confirmed that the laptop will support either of those GPUs? What does it have currently?

 

[NightHawkRMX]

What processor and ram does it have? 870m with good CPU will play most newer games at that resolution with playable framerates and reduced settings.

 

[LordDaius]

It really depends on the rest of the hardware but I think the 870m should handle that resolution fine.

it has an i7-4700hq and 16gb ram.

 

[LordDaius]

Have you confirmed that the laptop will support either of those GPUs? What does it have currently?

It has a 765m and with the 240w psu it should support the newer cards

 

[LordDaius]

What processor and ram does it have? 870m with good CPU will play most newer games at that resolution with playable framerates and reduced settings.

It has an i7-4700hq and 16gb ram

 

[NightHawkRMX]

I would buy and install the 870m if you don't care about lower settings. You will still see decent framerates in most titles at the screens default resolution, and it will suffice for 18 months as long as you don't play anything overly demanding. Games like fortnite, apex, cs go, and overwatch should all be playable.

 

[TJ Hooker]

It has a 765m and with the 240w psu it should support the newer cards

It seems the 870M and 970M have higher power consumption that the 765M (100 vs 75), you may need to upgrade the heatsink as well.

 

[LordDaius]

It seems the 870M and 970M have higher power consumption that the 765M (100 vs 75), you may need to upgrade the heatsink as well.

I didn’t think about the heatsink. Let me see if there is a different one