Alienware M17X R2

[Alienware]

What videos card will work on the M17X R2   that doesn't require any modding 

 

specs

940XM

16gb

ssd drive

ATI 5870m driver version 15.201.1102

 

 i just want to put it in and run the computer

 

currently have a 5870 ATI it appears to be failing   flashing light of death  Flashing scroll lock,solid cap lock and numlock

 

it's been doing this for a year already

 

 

i bought a replacement Alienware laptop  8th gen Core i9 snatched it for 300$ on ebay  but i would like to use this as my secondary laptop

[panda_zzz]

As I recall you can upgrade your gpu to an AMD 8970M card or if you want nvidia the Kepler generation is 660m-680m

[Raidriar]

Clevo 8970M is the best card you can use in the M17x R2. Single card can use latest driver, crossfire can only use 17.3.3. No need for HWINFO to control fans, the embedded controller can interface just fine with Clevo 8970M. Dell 7970M/R9 M290X will need HWINFO to control fans. Nvidia Kepler cards do not work with internal sound with the exception of the GTX 680M, which will require HWINFO to manipulate the fans. Maxwell cards of the GM2xx flavor do not work. Maxwell GM1xx will work, but again, no native fan control.

[Alienware]

8 hours ago, Raidriar said:

Clevo 8970M is the best card you can use in the M17x R2. Single card can use latest driver, crossfire can only use 17.3.3. No need for HWINFO to control fans, the embedded controller can interface just fine with Clevo 8970M. Dell 7970M/R9 M290X will need HWINFO to control fans. Nvidia Kepler cards do not work with internal sound with the exception of the GTX 680M, which will require HWINFO to manipulate the fans. Maxwell cards of the GM2xx flavor do not work. Maxwell GM1xx will work, but again, no native fan control.

i only have the 150w power supply will this cause an issue?

[panda_zzz]

7 hours ago, Alienware said:

i only have the 150w power supply will this cause an issue?

Depends on what kind of processor you have, but it may not be enough

[Raidriar]

better to have 240W.

[Alienware]

15 hours ago, panda_zzz said:

Depends on what kind of processor you have, but it may not be enough

i7-940XM Processor Extreme Edition  i'll look into getting a 330 watt version  HA330PM201

 

the insulation on the current power cable is coming off 

[panda_zzz]

7 hours ago, Alienware said:

the insulation on the current power cable is coming off 

Then it's definitely time to replace it.

[Alienware]

On 9/8/2024 at 3:32 AM, panda_zzz said:

Then it's definitely time to replace it.

 which cards actually work   PnP  without using external controls    will the 460m work...?

[panda_zzz]

18 hours ago, Alienware said:

 which cards actually work   PnP  without using external controls    will the 460m work...?

I think if you want minimal modifications and working standard fan control, the best choice is ati|amd card - as already said above 8970M from clevo.

[Maxware79]

21 hours ago, Alienware said:

 which cards actually work   PnP  without using external controls    will the 460m work...?

 

The 460M was released with the R3 so you will have to run a modded Nvidia driver to get that card to work. AMD cards don't have this issue so they are much more PnP than Nvidia. Since you already have the ATI card, the heatsink bracket you already have should work fine with the 8970M. If you switch to Nvidia you will have to find the Nvidia bracket for the R1/R2. From memory, the standoffs are shorter than those for the R3/R4 and later. 

[nforce4max]

On 9/6/2024 at 2:28 PM, Raidriar said:

Clevo 8970M is the best card you can use in the M17x R2. Single card can use latest driver, crossfire can only use 17.3.3. No need for HWINFO to control fans, the embedded controller can interface just fine with Clevo 8970M. Dell 7970M/R9 M290X will need HWINFO to control fans. Nvidia Kepler cards do not work with internal sound with the exception of the GTX 680M, which will require HWINFO to manipulate the fans. Maxwell cards of the GM2xx flavor do not work. Maxwell GM1xx will work, but again, no native fan control.

 

I do have to say correction that the Kepler Quadro cards do work without issue and pretty well.