Alienware m17x R3 video card upgrade

Question

As stated in the subject line, I've got the Alienware m17x R3, and I was considering upgrading the graphics card. At the moment I have the GTX 460m, but I was wondering if it was possible to replace this with the new GTX 675m. Is it supported, will it cause any problems, etc. Thanks in advance for answering.

DELL-Chris M · Answer

All I know is that the the Nvidia GTX675m was not validated by us. These were:
RDRGR AMD HD6990m Blackcomb XTX
V9XKH AMD HD6970m Blackcomb XT
V5TGF AMD HD6870m Granville Pro
3MF8R Nvidia GTX580m N12E-GTX2
YT99J Nvidia GTX560m N12E-GS
VDV04 Nvidia GTX460m N11E-GS

Barkalow · Answer

That is true, I haven't looked into it since then. I managed to get a 580m off ebay and swapped them, it was super easy. Just take the old out, install the new, and install drivers. Worked right out of the box. And I managed to sell my old card which offset the cost a decent amount.

Barkalow · Answer

Honestly, I wouldn't hold my breath. Dell doesn't want you to replace your parts for a better comp, they want you to trash the old one and buy a new one. From all the research I did at the time, and it was a lot, the 580m is the best you can put in the R3 without a custom BIOS; because Dell will never release an update to make the new cards work with the old systems.

int2723 · Answer

So this was back in 2012. What about now? What has been validated? I was planning on upgrading fro the 460m to a 765m on my Alienware M17x R3. I see that the 765 is a current offering in a new system. Is the upgrade process as difficult as some forums make it out to be? They talk about an Unlocked A12 bios. Then the sound not working once they finally got their system to boot with the new video card. Just sounds crazy. If you could break down the process, that would be amazing!!!

int2723 · Answer

Again, that was in 2012. The BIOS then was A10 I think. Did you ever successfully swap the video card in your machine?

int2723 · Answer

The card, you can find on ebay $275-ish to $400. I spent $330 on mine as I wanted it to come from someone here in the U.S. I'll check it out this weekend, the thermal pads and stuff, I understand they are 100% compatible with the 460m. if it works with out modding the BIOS I'll post it ASAP.

Barkalow · Answer

For the 580m, no. It fit the current ones I had. The 765, I have no idea since its a completely different card. If it does work, you should definitely come back and let me know, cause then I can likely upgrade my card as well, lol.

int2723 · Answer

I am hoping to have the same easy experience. I bought the 765m on ebay. Its a brand new card pulled from an Alienware M17x. Its currently offered in the new Aliens...I just hope its going to be plug and play. I just downloaded the A12 Unlocked bios. Did you have to purchase new thermal pads / heat spreaders?

Barkalow · Answer

Thats awesome. About what I paid for my 580m a few years ago. Hope it works out for you!

int2723 · Answer

So...its not that easy. Everything came out and in nice and easy but the machine failed to boot. It just beeped at me 8 times.  This beep code means LCD Failure. Time to do more research. I went ahead and reinstalled the GTX 468m for now. Lol

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Alienware m17x R3 video card upgrade