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131332
Upgrade Alienware 17 r2, Graphics, Memory, and SSD; system heats up and shuts down
I have been trying to find some information on upgrading my old Alienware 17 r2 system with new graphics, memory, and a SSD but I have been finding conflicting information on it and if I would even be able to upgrade my graphics.
My current configure is:
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Computer Model
M17x
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OS Version
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
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Manufacturer
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU M 620 @ 2.67GHz
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Clock Speed
2.7Ghz
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L2 Cache Size
256
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Available Memory
35.50 %
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Page File Size
10,048.7MB
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Available Page File
85.84 %
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Virtual Memory
10,048.7MB
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Available Virtual Memory
63.04 %
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M1
2,048.0MB
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M2
2,048.0MB
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Type
Description
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DVD/CD-ROM Drives
Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-7640S
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Disk Drives
ST9250410AS
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Display Adapters
AMD Mobility Radeon HD 5800 Series
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IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers
Intel(R) 5 Series 6 Port SATA AHCI Controller
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Keyboards,Mice & Pointing Devices
Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad
HID-compliant mouse
Microsoft Hardware USB Mouse
HID-compliant mouse
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Monitors
Generic PnP Monitor
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Sound Devices
IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
AMD High Definition Audio Device
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USB Controllers
Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 3B34
Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 3B3C
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First off, can the graphics card be upgraded and if so, what should I go with?
Next the type of memory I was thinking of install is:
Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB DDR3-1600 PC3-12800)
I have heard that 8GB was suppose to be the max but that was only because that was all that was available at the time the system was released and that others have used up to 16GB.
Will this work or is there another suggestion?
Third, the SSD I am planning on installing is:
Crucial BX200 480GB SATA III 6Gb/s 2.5" Solid State Drive CT480BX200SSD
Again, I read that the system was not orignally designed to support SATA III however if you use BIOS version A09 it would work.
Is this accurate or any suggestions?
The last two things I was wondering was that the system overheats easily and shuts down, would redoing the thermal paste on the CPU and heat sink help correct this? As well as cleaning out the fans of course. Or are there other options I should look into?
Anyone know where to purchase a new power adapter for this system as well?
Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide me with.
AndrewSi
901 Posts
1
January 30th, 2016 01:00
Hi.
Firstly I would ditch the 620M processor, its the lowest i7 you can get and only dual core, not quad.
You should be able to find a i7 820QM at a reasonable price these days, 920QM or 940QM would be even better, they were the fastest available for this model.
Once you've upgraded the CPU to something over a i7 720QM you can upgrade you RAM to 32GB 1333MHz with no problems, if you want faster than 1333 you will have to adjust overclock settings in system BIOS.
You have two HDD slots, any size SSD's upto 1TB will plug and play (Or at most require very little BIOS adjustments) Firmware may need to be updated but besides that it should be OK, just stick with a brand alienware used like Samsung, and if you can get one of the slightly older SSD's you might save some money, you don't need a "latest and greatest" model.
Upgrading your GPU in the M17xR2 model can be a pain, fan control is terrible and to truly upgrade and play safely you will probably have to use HW Monitor so you don't cook your cards.
From memory the AMD cards are more forgiving when it comes to dual GPU's - I seem to remember some upgraded GPU's not X firing or SLIing in that model, but it's a while ago now so can't remember.
The M17xR2 was an extremely popular model, with thousands of people upgrading GPU's - You may have to sort through the trash to find the gems but the info you need should be available if you do a google search
Notebookreview forum would be an excellent place to start, 99% of the info you need should be there, the other 1% will proably be on techinferno.
Goodluck - I still think the M17xR2 was one of the best they made.....
AndrewSi
901 Posts
1
January 31st, 2016 14:00
920XM is a good choice.
The 940's run a bit hot, but the 920's are OK. (Use Artic Silver 5 thermal paste when you upgrade)
http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Silver-High-Density-Polysynthetic-Compound/dp/B000OGX5AM/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1454275833&sr=1-1&keywords=artic+silver+5
It's also good for you new GPU's when you get them.
Yes your mobo will handle anything upto a 940.
Both those brand and model of RAM are correct. I know the Kingston will work, I've used it myself on M17xR2 models, pretty sure the corsair will too but cant verify that as I've only used that in a M18xR1
Torantis
6 Posts
0
January 30th, 2016 19:00
So I am running Bios A10 and I installed to 8GB sticks for 16GB and now my system continuously reboots.
I got DDRl - 1333 SODIMM 1.35V CL9
Any suggestions?
AndrewSi
901 Posts
1
January 31st, 2016 08:00
DDRL is the wrong one. Some people say it works and sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.
You need the older DDR3 1333MHz SODIMM 1.5V
http://www.msy.com.au/pc-components/9681-kingston-so-dimm-kvr1333d3s9-kvr13s9s8-4gb-single-ddr3-1333-notebook-memory.html
As for my previous reference to being able to have 32GB, now I'm not so sure, it's been quite a while since I have had one apart and can't remember if it has 2 or 4 dim slots
Torantis
6 Posts
0
January 31st, 2016 11:00
I was looking at this: From amazon
Kingston ValueRAM 8GB (1x8GB) 1333MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 SODIMM Notebook Memory KVR1333D3S9/8G
or
Corsair 8GB (1x8GB) DDR3 1333 MHz (PC3 10666) Laptop Memory (CMSO8GX3M1A1333C9)
Torantis
6 Posts
0
January 31st, 2016 11:00
It only has two dim slots. The item you linked is only 4gb, I would want to get two 8GB so I will have to try to find somewhere to get that unless you know of a good source.
I was looking at this: From amazon
Kingston ValueRAM 8GB (1x8GB) 1333MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 SODIMM Notebook Memory KVR1333D3S9/8G
or
Corsair 8GB (1x8GB) DDR3 1333 MHz (PC3 10666) Laptop Memory (CMSO8GX3M1A1333C9)
Torantis
6 Posts
0
January 31st, 2016 12:00
Would you recommend going to 920xm and would the board handle it? I have always been into desktops and just began getting into modifying laptops so I am not totally up to date with the different specs.
Torantis
6 Posts
0
January 31st, 2016 16:00
Seems like the DDR3L 8gbx2 were just having an addressing issue. The DDR3L 4gbx2 worked just fine and in all actuallity 8gb is plenty to run most all games atm (at least what the system will handle). I will update the CPU too I think.
Now I just need to figure out what GPU I will be a good fit and better than what is in the system.
Thank you for the info.