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15 Posts
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10908
October 24th, 2015 15:00
M18x R2 CPU/GPU upgrade help
Lately I have been experiencing an annoying problem. I go to play a game like age of empires III which shouldn't be a problem, but after a few minutes the screen goes black and the only way to get it to work is to restart by holding the power button down. My M18xx R2 has had some issues before so I recently replaced the drives and did a clean install of Windows 7 Pro. I was thinking it might be the GPUs?
I ran stress tests on the CPU and GPUs through Support Assist and all passed fine.
My CPU is a Core i7 3740QM and I have 2 gtx 675M's with sli.
1. Can I upgrade to GTX 680M's without worry of using modified drivers or overheat? Meaning is it plug and play?
2. What CPU could I upgrade to that would be plug and play. I don't Overclock. I was thinking Intel i7 3840QM.
Thanks
Game7a1
4 Operator
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727 Posts
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October 24th, 2015 16:00
Here are the Alienware-tested (read: plug-and-play) GPU upgrades for the m18xR2.
Anything newer requires some work.
I wouldn't upgrade your CPU if you don't plan on overclocking. The i7-3840QM is a pretty good CPU on its own.
Adgarris105200
15 Posts
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October 24th, 2015 16:00
Well, my current CPU is 3740qm, and I figured to get the most out of my system without overclocking. I recently changed my hdd's to ssd's. Thanks for the reply!
Game7a1
4 Operator
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727 Posts
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October 24th, 2015 16:00
Oops, skimmed over that. Sorry. The i7-3740QM is only 200 MHz slower, so it shouldn't be too different from the 3840QM. Slightly slow, but not enough to buy a new CPU.
You should be able to, yes.
Adgarris105200
15 Posts
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October 24th, 2015 16:00
I guess a important question now would be: can I use the heatsinks from my 675m's?
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.1K Posts
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October 24th, 2015 17:00
Could be the game? Reinstall with all patches?
Graphics requirements are minimal. If m18-R2 has Intel IGP ... try running from that only?
If 675m is bad ... I doubt both are. Either turn off SLI or remove one.
I like OCCT Power Supply test.
Adgarris105200
15 Posts
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October 24th, 2015 17:00
I don't think it is the game because I tried other games like Assassin's creed 3 and Rogue and my computer screen will go black and there will be no sound, but the computer is still running. I tried disabling SLI, but that did not help. I didn't see Intel HD graphics in Device Manager, but maybe I need to install it from my Alienware resource disc if it is on there.
Adgarris105200
15 Posts
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October 24th, 2015 18:00
Ok, so I figured out that the display shuts off (whether I am connected to my Benq monitor with displayport cable, or just using the laptops screen; I tried both), but the computer is still running. You can still hear sound. But the GPU fans ramp up slightly when this happens.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.1K Posts
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October 24th, 2015 18:00
Adgarris105200
15 Posts
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October 24th, 2015 19:00
I did a clean install of Win 7 Pro, so I'll have to look on my resources CD or on Intel's website. I'm sure I remember it being in Device Manager under display adapters. Right now, only my 2 675s are listed.
Adgarris105200
15 Posts
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October 26th, 2015 17:00
For some reason, the graphics driver for my Intel HD 4000 graphics will not install from my resources disc, or from being downloaded and extracted from Intel's website. It says that my computer 'Doesn't meet the minimum Requirements'. Which I don't understand because it definitely does. It was on my computer before I did a clean OS install. Not sure why tho. Any suggestions would be great, thanks!
Game7a1
4 Operator
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727 Posts
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October 26th, 2015 19:00
Disable SLI in the Nvidia control panel and press FN + F7 to go to switchable graphics mode. That should work.