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On 3/28/2026 at 1:01 AM, Ollie87 said:

I can use both the Rtx 3000 no problems and the Rtx 5000, with the 5000 though I either have to limited it's core MHz to 1300 or change it's power to around 80 watts, when playing games it does still seem to go as high as 96 watts, if I just leave it at stock 110 watts it ends up crashing as for pads I'm actually using paste as I couldn't co firm if the pads were actually reaching, I'm now considering trying this 2k screen on the Rtx 3000, just alot of faffing about as I now have the 3D edp cable at hand, current tests have all been with the lvds screen but it's a very old screen and doesn't look particularly nice, failing this is maybe a portable screen and using a micro display or similar to achieve a nicer screen for gaming.

M17xR4 does not have the TDP bug of the AW17 R1 (m17xR5) and the AW 18 R1 (m18xR3).

I am referring to the eDP 120hz 3D panel. The RXT 3000/5000 should work fine with 60hz panel using Optimus. 

RTX 5000 should work fine at full power too. Wonder if core is getting too hot 

Does anyone know if the display assembly and eDP cable from Alienware Area-51m R2 is a direct fit to the Area-51m R1? 

I don't remember if 3d was an issue, maybe @Maxware79 remembers if R3 3d panel works for r4 with 3d. I know the AW logo doesn't work 

6 minutes ago, SuperMG said:

I wasn't able to get the external HDMI/DP on the M18X R2/R3 to work with dGPU.

 

I can with the Alienware M17X R4/R5 and Dell Precision M6700/M6800 to make the HDMI/DP to work with dGPU.

 

For the cooling, custom heatsinks exist so the better argument doesn't apply now... I had many issues with Alienware laptops (dirty, replacing a lot of motherboards, bad charging ICs, bad speakers) but I had 0 issues with Precisions at the moment, smooth, better IO, better MXM support.

 

The TDP bug affects Haswell, even on MSI GT laptops. For HP I have no info. The TDP bug only happens on XVSION, ZRT, AETINA, PNY cards but not for the HP RTX ones...

AW17 and AW18 can use external ports without internal panel connected using PEG on all cards pascal+ 

TDP bug affects my haswell AW18 with HP RTX 5000 as well. It also does it on RTX 3000 (ADLINK). 

When I have some time I will disassemble my M18xR1 & AW18 to do the resistor mod that janepa said and see if it fixes the issue. 

Clearly your knowledge of bios modding is beyond mine but what you mentioned is what I was going to say..

"Removed UEFI from vbios"

Now this is what the issue with M17xR3 is. 

What GPUs do you have access to to test? I need a list of everything pre pascal you have.

I will try modding vbios myself for you. 

Or you can send me oem vbios and uefi removed vbios and I can check 

28 minutes ago, SuperMG said:

Ollie's temperature are good. I already recommended him that. 

 

Alienware does 8 beeps maybe it's the mux switches from the eDP line...

Just get a red covet M6700 or M6800 they dust off these Alienware... Yes I do not have any TDP bug (no 40-55W fluctuating) with the 150W 4080 besides the thermal throttle in FurMark but that's easy to fix with a new 4 heatpipes GPU heatsink.

I own M6600, M4600 and now 7520/7720. I also own essentially all AW from 2011-2014 except M17xR4. 

I wouldn't say the Precision dust the AW. AW has superior cooling and better IO/chassis (M18x at least). 

Anyways I will look into the 8 beeps, maybe you are correct, eDP is stuck behind MUX. 

I should have bought 4090 when it was cheaper and 4070 too. Now they've gone up.

TDP bug only affects haswell AW (Aw17/AW18). The M17xR3/R4/M18xR1/R2 do not have the issue. 

Just accidently joined the 7520 and the 7720 club LOL.

Have a T1000 from Adlink coming and Tesla P6 for 7720 (removing P4000 for another laptop). 

On 1/19/2024 at 1:53 PM, M4980 said:

 

Anyone want to trade an MXM-A RTX 2000 Ada for the rare "golden T1000" 🤣 in all serious though I wonder why it's doing this, the same occurs in the 7520 so it must be the card

The power draw is reported as 3w maybe that has something to do with it or perhaps my VBIOS is bugged/unrestricted?

And yeah, I manually overclocked the 7920HQ in ThrottleStop after doing those EFI variable unlocks, I usually just run it on 3.1GHz all core though as it allows the GPU to throttle less and I'm rarely CPU bound in anything. If I need more CPU power I switch to my TS config for 4GHz all core with an -77mv undervolt

Can you dump your T1000 vbios? Curious if it's different from mine 

17 hours ago, Maks0098 said:

Hello, my m18x r2 currently has a GTX 1060M from China, which should have both HDMI and DP video outputs, as seen in NVIDIA Control Panel. I'm in SG mode and have tried various PowerXpress (I assume it's like MUX?) options in the BIOS video settings. But I can't get an image via HDMI to an external monitor with a discrete graphics card; only the integrated one. Is there a way to do this through the Windows registry, drivers, or third-party programs? I'm also considering ordering a Mini-DP to HDMI adapter. Maybe the Mini-DP is only connected to the discrete graphics card?

By the way, I need this mainly to connect my Oculus Rift to my laptop. The program shows there is no HDMI connection because the integrated graphics card is not supported.

This is not possible unless you are in PEG mode as far as I know. 

980M would be the fastest (technically MSI 980 desktop card is fastest) that works in PEG. 

On newer AW18 you can use PEG with external display on any gpu without internal display connected 

On 2/27/2026 at 6:02 AM, JJ90 said:

Hi everyone, thanks very much for the replies so far - really appreciate the help.

I’m actually away for a couple of weeks at the moment, so I won’t be able to test anything until I’m back, but I wanted to clarify a few things in the meantime so I know what to try first.

Just to recap: the system boots fine on Intel integrated graphics if I remove the MXM card completely, but with the 980M installed I get immediate 8 beeps and no display.

A few questions I was hoping you could help with:

• Is a Clevo GTX 980M known to cause 8 beeps on a stock M17x R4 BIOS if the system is set to PEG?

• Which BIOS version is generally recommended for the 980M upgrade on the M17x R4 — stock A11/A12, or unlocked BIOS?

• Does the 980M need a Dell-specific VBIOS to work properly in this machine, or should a Clevo VBIOS work as long as the system is in SG mode?

• If the laptop boots on Intel graphics with no MXM card installed, does that confirm it’s the 60Hz Optimus board (not the 120Hz/PEG-only version)?

• Has anyone successfully run a Clevo 980M with the copper backplate still installed in an M17x R4, or is removing it generally required?

When I get back, I plan to check BIOS version and graphics settings properly and try the suggested steps.

Thanks again for the guidance -just trying to understand the correct direction before I start flashing anything.

---

1) Yes IF the gpu you have does not have 13D7 device id (non g-sync model vs g-sync). Clevo ones are mostly g-sync models. 

2) Use the latest unlocked bios and set video to SG mode

3) Dell vbios is recomended. You can flash AW18 980M vbios but in SG mode it shouldn't matter. 

3) Yes

4) Remove it 

22 hours ago, SuperMG said:

No. We tried the HP RTX 3000 with 120Hz 3D in UEFI and legacy, not work. Tested in 2 different Alienware laptops.

 

Maybe we did something wrong? I don't know.

 

Only the M6700 and M6800 can accept HP RTX 3000/5000 with LEGACY BIOS and UEFI BIOS.

 

Newer Ampère and Ada cards need UEFI and Legacy OPROM disabled to work and display in the Internal screen. Got +240FPS in heaven benchmark with the M6800 eDP, RTX 4080 MXM and a bad heatsink.

M17xR4 & AW17 R1 both support full UEFI mode so I am curious why they didn't work for you guys. It's unfortunate I don't have a M17xR4 but I do have a  AW17 for testing. 

I am receiving T1000 today so maybe when I have some time I will take a look. 

On 3/5/2026 at 10:31 AM, Ollie87 said:

I get crashes from around 95 watts onwards in-game, vrms are all covered i used silicon paste on them instead of pads as was worried they weren't touching the copper heatsink, I've seen your post on the backlight pin modification, I will check this out further.

 

The only way it works better is setting the core clock to lower MHz, it's stable with my maximum on 1350mhz, I'm going to tinker tonight with the settings and see what I can do with the voltage unlock.

 

Can't afford to buy the hp version they are very expensive around £800 

What are the core temps? Sounds like it might be good to invest in thicker thermal pads. Something might be overheating 

On 3/5/2026 at 4:43 AM, SuperMG said:

Me and one guy weren't able to get the RTX 3000 from HP to work with the M17X R4 eDP. In LEGACY and in UEFI. It's a 8 beeps.

 

However with a M6700 eDP, the RTX 3000 from HP works in both LEGACY and in UEFI.

 

Also you have the ADLINK version of the RTX 5000 which means your card lacks the backlight pins.

So even with backlight cable you cannot get rtx 3000 to work in m17x r4?

On 3/5/2026 at 2:21 AM, SuperMG said:

Hello, they are impacted by the TDP bug, 40W or fluctuating between max TDP to 40/55W.

 

So it's not worth it since they are limited by the Optimus MUX Switch.

 

I got the M6800 to work with the modern RTX Ada and there was no TDP bugs.

I believe this issue was found by @janepa and I have to still disassemble my aw18/m18x laptops to find the resistor to mod to fix the issue. 

980M SLI is the highest official setup 

On 11/3/2025 at 1:44 AM, kela-slk said:

Hi everyone.

 

have Alienware M18X R2 3 pcs in different configuration for sell.

The laptop fair condition. 

specs

 

CPU: I7 3630QM (can install 3740qm or 3940XM)

RAM: 16GB DDR3

 

GPU: Config 1.- SLI DUAL GTX 675M 2GB MXM + Wireless HD Siberia card (very rare)

          Config 2. - DUAL Crossfire ATI 7970M 2 gb MXM (sometimes booting with errors or black screen, after reboot working well without issues)

          Config 3 - Single Quadro M3000m 4 gb

SSD: 80GB

HDD 500GB

Screen: 1920x1080, 60Hz, LVDS

Keyboard: 100% working, QWERTY

Battery: 70-90% health, working, one laptop didnt have battery.

Speakers: working

Webcam + microphone: working

USB + SD + Audio jacks: working

Wi-Fi + Bluetooth: working

Touchpad: works

RGB AlienFX system: working

 

 

Dell 240W AC Adapter included with any laptop, but dual graphics needed more powerful - 330w adapter (i dont have it)

 

Laptop Location - Odessa Ukraine

Shipping to the EU: 45$ 

Shipping worldwide: 90$ 

NOTE: Any customs duties ot taxes at customs are paid  by the buer. i can only indicate the cost (assessment) of the laptop, what do you wish.

 

Price: start 260 USD for NV m3000m without battery.

The graphics card could be upgraded to a GTX 1070, GTX 1080, Quadro P5200 MXM, tesla M6 tesla P6 and other

you can use NVME ssd in secondary slot MXM with the adapter and flash correct bios

 

or even to an RTX 3070 or RTX 4070 with Intel Optimus.

Do you have pics of 675m sli config? 

It can work in PEG mode if you use a oem gpu in slot 1 (such as 880M, 980M, 780M etc.) but it's more of a headache. Better to do slot 1 for less issues. 

Flash the 980M vBIOS from alienware 18 driver site 

12 minutes ago, Aaron44126 said:

It has been tried. https://www.nbrchive.net/forum.notebookreview.com/threads/trials-and-tribulations-installing-a-1070-in-a-m6800.828000/index.html

 

There is a vBIOS issue if you wan to run Windows. You will get an ACPI BSOD no matter what, even if trying to just boot install media. For Pascal, you need an engineering sample vBIOS to get around this (...or some steps that I don't understand like @jeamn did, see link). We only have engineering sample vBIOS images for Quadro P3000, P4000, and P5000; no GeForce.

Interesting, I also had that BSOD in M6600. Perhaps I should have looked deeper to see someone else experienced it. For me it was with RTX 3000. I always go the bsod. 

Currently I am running P4000 in M6600 and it works 99% of the time. 1% of the time, the whole PC freezes. I am confident it is due to the P4000 for some reason. 

52 minutes ago, JadeRover said:

 

Actually I don't know about that, guys like on imac forums modder M0bile found ways to sign pascal vbioses to make them work with their iMacs.

 

They modified the display table definitions, power limits, clocks, etc...

 

iMac 2011 Maxwell and Pascal GPU upgrade | Page 21 | MacRumors Forums

 

They haven't been clear on how they did it, supposedely using this : GitHub - envytools/envytools: Tools for people envious of nvidia's blob driver.

That's Pascal and as far as I know, they're not signing them. Mac OS and Windows are different. From my understanding, no one can sign vbios anymore on 2000+ series. 

vBIOS is encrypted for the most parts. Small things like clocks can be changed still 

Just now, SuperMG said:

I also emailed Nvidia about providing a modified VBIOS for the 4080 and 4090.

 

I have their answers. They aren't the ones who make the VBIOSes. Like how??

 

Seriously that's what they told me despite telling them what I wanted. They told me to contact the manufacturer since they are the "ones" who make them. But X-Vsion isn't making any VBIOS oof

All vbios now go through nvidia ever since rtx 2000 series and must be signed by them. Only they have the tools needed to modify vbios. 

Just now, SuperMG said:

I forgot about that.

 

You know they are sourcing the VBIOS or they are the ones who make and modify the VBIOS. You could have asked them if they could disable the "forcing 4G encoding". 

 

For example, X-VSION is so bad at VBIOSes. I wanted them to provide a DP/DP/HDMI/eDP vbios for the 4080/4090 but they can't. They said they aren't the ones who make them. Meanwhile ZRT have that but they don't even answer to my emails anymore...

I think you underestimate how much help I tried to get regarding it. They couldn't give me any modified vbios. 

vBIOS is made only from nvidia. nVidia has to modify it. 

The only reason we have rtx 4090/3080 mxm vbios honestly is probably because it's a leaked vbios for development 

25 minutes ago, SuperMG said:

Maybe the card came DOA? Also some X-VSION cards such as RTX 4060 were mentioned on this forum not working too. Meanwhile they worked for other users (on the same laptops)

Not DOA, flashing vbios from soldered a4500 gpus made pc boot but always got code 43 because of vbios mismatch 

RTX 3000 and RTX 5000 (Turing) works fine and does not "force" above 4g decod check like the newer cards. 

RTX 4080/4090 also do not force the check. 

The professional cards starting with A4500 (amphere) have this check. 

I checked in multiple laptops even eDP and they all have no post. Who knows maybe blackwell doesn't have test. I took the risk back then to buy $2,500 card so this time I will sit back and wait 

On 10/19/2025 at 10:22 AM, SuperMG said:

And how broken it is?

 

Also there are new BLACKWELL MXM CARDS coming soon FROM AETINA!

 

https://www.adlinktech.com/Products/Embedded_Graphics/Graphics_Solutions/EGX-MXM-BW5000?Lang=en

 

 

By removing the blur, we can see the type B cards are the same as the RTX Ampère and Ada from XVSION/ZRT. Center Offset as usual. No data for the pins layout.

 

Probably has 0 backlight pins, so my backlight mod cable will work on these new cards.

 

The cards have DP on all ports. I don't know if DP_D is eDP or just DP.

If this card is like the A4500 I tested long time ago it will not work. It requires above 4g decoding in bios and resizable bar. 

We need ZRT/XVSION to release rtx 5090 version which does not require these. 

1 hour ago, janepa said:

Hi

No, as I already wrote, all what is need to do is replace the resistor with a smaller value of 100Ω (marked 101 or 01A) or 150Ω (marked 151 or 18A) size 0201 or 0402 (as shown in the picture). Alternatively, it can create a solder blob on the original resistor, or apply some kind of silver-based conductive paste on the original resistor for a non-soldering method or something similar. The reason why I marked pin 27 and the green line and 3.3v power supply in the picture is only for informational purposes and to check how it is connected, because the principle will be very similar on other devices. 

 

Both mxm slots (pins 27) are connected together on the motherboard, so nothing else needs to be done.

 

Okay so I can bridge the two points on resistor as well?

Do you know where it may be located on AW 18 R1 (M18xR3)? That system has the issue with throttle. For M18xR2 it has been good. M18xR1 only has throttle when doing dual PEG method. 

On 10/11/2025 at 4:57 AM, janepa said:

Okay, here are the pictures.  This applies to both the Alienware M18XR1 and M18XR2 models.

If I understand correctly, solder a wire from pin 27 to bottom part of resistor?

This works for both mxm slots or only slot 1?