Does GTX1070 GPU work in 2nd GPU slot, instead of the 1st (Alienware 18)

[Sebastian Ramirez]

Good afternoon,

 

So I found this heatsink for my future GTX1070 MXM for my Alienware 18, but its for the right side of the motherboard, will the laptop work properly, if I install the GPU on the right side? (this heatsink only fits for the GPU in the right side)

 

Thx

[ssj92]

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. 

[Sebastian Ramirez]

Okay, thanks

[sliderfra]

On 11/13/2025 at 5:54 PM, Sebastian Ramirez said:

Okay, thanks

Hi, best is to stick with MASTER MXM slot as you'll be able to use it with SG mode (needs modded BIOS though). Then you may use any mxm nvidia card up to RTX 4000 gen. Be aware that throttle is reported with AW18 with some GPUs (PNY Quadro RTX 3000, Geforce RTX 3060, RTX 4070...). Pascal GPU do not throttle, nor does Quadro RTX 3000 from HP (not standard MXM).

If you need parts for AW18 I may have heatsinks (primary & secondary I think)

[s4lem0nsen]

On 11/18/2025 at 7:06 AM, sliderfra said:

Hi, best is to stick with MASTER MXM slot as you'll be able to use it with SG mode (needs modded BIOS though). Then you may use any mxm nvidia card up to RTX 4000 gen. Be aware that throttle is reported with AW18 with some GPUs (PNY Quadro RTX 3000, Geforce RTX 3060, RTX 4070...). Pascal GPU do not throttle, nor does Quadro RTX 3000 from HP (not standard MXM).

If you need parts for AW18 I may have heatsinks (primary & secondary I think)

Anyone tried A3000 from x-vision in the Viking? I have the PNY myself but thinking about putting that in the m17 instead…