Question about Alienware 17

[OB49]

I just want to know if it is possible to upgrade the GPU on the Alienware 17 R5 to a 980m?

 

[faalin]

For an end user not very easily, you need to find a 980m from an alienware laptop then find the heatpipe/cooler that fits it to make sure you have enough cooling for the new card.

 

[Ninjawithagun]

Actually, upgrading to a GTX980M is quite easy. You will need to have about $900 to pay for the GTX980M (installation kit is usually included with the purchase of a new card), and will have to be confident in taking apart your laptop to replace the existing graphics card. There are several YouTube videos showing how to do the upgrade yourself. It is very simple and straight forward. And the best part is that the fan heatsink is directly compatible with the GTX980M, and the AC power supply for your existing Alienware 17 laptop has enough power to run the GTX980M card. I know that eBay has them for sale from several sellers with high ratings, because I was looking to buy two GTX980M cards for upgrading my Alienware 18's two GTX780M cards. For me, this seems to be the most financially viable option versus buying an all-new laptop with similiar specs. PM me and I can help you with your effort to upgrade your Alienware 17 graphics card.

 

[OB49]

It's just that I have ordered the m17 with the 880m but am aware that there is a superior GPU available. The 980m is something I want to get eventually and I wanted to make certain that it is an option. Another question I have is when they release a refresh of the m17 sometime this year, will it be the same looking as it is now? Just with upgraded components?

 

[Ninjawithagun]

It's just that I have ordered the m17 with the 880m but am aware that there is a superior GPU available. The 980m is something I want to get eventually and I wanted to make certain that it is an option. Another question I have is when they release a refresh of the m17 sometime this year, will it be the same looking as it is now? Just with upgraded components?

No, the Alienware laptops will not be of the same design. In fact, they have already changed. Dell just announced at the 2015 CES that they are in fact changing the design of the Alienware laptops. Starting now, the Alienware 15 and Alienware 17 have been redesigned and are available for sale right now. Note that the Alienware 14 is no longer available and the new Alienware 13 is shown along with the newly designed Alienware 15 and 17:

http://www.alienware.com/

The new design is thinner and lighter. However, what will not change is the fact that the graphics cards will still be upgradable using the existing Mobile PCI Express Module (MXM) slot. FYI, the Alienware 18 has two MXM slots.

The most important change IMHO is the fact that the new Alienware 15 and 17 (and eventually 18) is that they are now compatible with the new Alienware Graphics Amplifier. This was made possible due to the redesign of the laptop. The Graphics Amplifier port is located at the center on the back of the laptop (just like on the Alienware 13).

 

[collinpi]

Actually, upgrading to a GTX980M is quite easy. You will need to have about $900 to pay for the GTX980M (installation kit is usually included with the purchase of a new card), and will have to be confident in taking apart your laptop to replace the existing graphics card. There are several YouTube videos showing how to do the upgrade yourself. It is very simple and straight forward. And the best part is that the fan heatsink is directly compatible with the GTX980M, and the AC power supply for your existing Alienware 17 laptop has enough power to run the GTX980M card. I know that eBay has them for sale from several sellers with high ratings, because I was looking to buy two GTX980M cards for upgrading my Alienware 18's two GTX780M cards. For me, this seems to be the most financially viable option versus buying an all-new laptop with similiar specs. PM me and I can help you with your effort to upgrade your Alienware 17 graphics card.

hey man, im a bit of a noob when it comes to pc gaming..could you tell me if this alienware 17 has the mxm module?
http://www.xoticpc.com/alienware-970m-p-7897.html?wconfigure=yes
Thanks

 

[Ninjawithagun]

Actually, upgrading to a GTX980M is quite easy. You will need to have about $900 to pay for the GTX980M (installation kit is usually included with the purchase of a new card), and will have to be confident in taking apart your laptop to replace the existing graphics card. There are several YouTube videos showing how to do the upgrade yourself. It is very simple and straight forward. And the best part is that the fan heatsink is directly compatible with the GTX980M, and the AC power supply for your existing Alienware 17 laptop has enough power to run the GTX980M card. I know that eBay has them for sale from several sellers with high ratings, because I was looking to buy two GTX980M cards for upgrading my Alienware 18's two GTX780M cards. For me, this seems to be the most financially viable option versus buying an all-new laptop with similiar specs. PM me and I can help you with your effort to upgrade your Alienware 17 graphics card.

hey man, im a bit of a noob when it comes to pc gaming..could you tell me if this alienware 17 has the mxm module?
http://www.xoticpc.com/alienware-970m-p-7897.html?wconfigure=yes
Thanks

Yes, the Alienware 17 (all model variants) has one MXM slot. And yes, it is upgradeable but requires the disassembley of part of the laptop in order to remove the existing graphics card and install the new graphics card. The new graphics card must be listed as compatible with MXM as well as the laptop model. Power requirements must be considered. A perfect example of graphics card that will fit into an MXM slot but would not run due to inadequate power is the Aliewnware 13. The AC adapter that comes with the Alienware 13 would be able to provide enough power to a GTX980M card even though that card technically could be installed into the Alienware 13.