17 R1, is it possible to upgrade my GPU?

No service tags allowed here in this public user to user forum. Normally laptops cpu cannot be changed because they are part of the motherboard. Check your Service Manual at Dell Support. You can use your tag on this secure page here-- https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us?app=drivers

In your case it is the same situation: CPU and GPU are soldered to the motherboard.

@DAF44But DELL service agent was able to replace one GPU with another in front of me, iwthout touching my CPU. I was asking if I can replace one dedicated GPU with another (if this is correct name of it).

@Mary G Thanks but I was talking about GPU replacement, not CPU.

There are multiple generations of Alienware 17.  

The model called just Alienware 17 and the current models (Alienware m17) all have soldered-in GPUs that cannot be upgraded.

There are older series (which went by the m17x designation) that did have MXM card GPUs that could be replaced.

So, if it's an older model the answer is that it's possible.  With the newer ones, it it not.

There's one remaining Alienware model that does have a card-based (though not standard MXM) GPU - the Alienware Area 51m.

Hi @Sorpa  from your description, your original system was the Alienware 17 Radeon R9 M290X. This was at the start of the 17 Series and sometimes designated Alienware 17 R1 Radeon R9 M290X. To get to know what system you have now install Belarc Advisor. Laptops become obsolete very quickly, so it is not surprising that the GPU was replaced with the AMD Radeon HD 8970M. 

Fortunately your system board allows GPU hardware replacements to be plugged into the system board socket, and your GPU can be easily replaced. The GeForce replacements of a similar specification from that year should not be difficult to find, but they may not be new. Suggest you search for Nvidia GeForce replacement for AMD Radeon HD 8970M and select the GPU replacement with the attributes you want. Looking at the appropriate YouTube video will guide you through the replacement process. 

The Windows OS should get the replacement GPU drivers for you. 

Hello @crimsom , thank you for adequate reply. Yes it's a 17 R1 model. I've looked via network and I guess I can replace my old GPU with GTX 880m or GTX 980m, but the new question is: do I need to change my heatsink or anything else from hardware to do that? If you don't have answer to this question it's fine, you already helped me a lot.

Hi @Sorpa   you are now considering upgrading to a more powerful GPU with improved performance. This will need more power, which means a more powerful charger, battery and an improved heatsink. This information is on the internet. 

You should also speculate on how long you are going to keep your 17 in service, with further updates of hardware (not just the GPU). Although it is possible to future proof your 17 to some extent, there will come a time that a different laptop is the only answer. That is the main difference between an aging laptop whose volume is limited and a desktop where volume would not impose these limits on hardware upgrades. 

@crimsom  thank you! Time to start saving money and get new one

The 17 R1 was a great machine and it isn't too hard to upgrade depending on your budget. Since you have the AMD card you will have the 60Hz display. It is better to have the 120Hz display for upgrades to the GTX 1060 and 1070 but you can still get these cards to work with an unlocked BIOS. An easier upgrade would be the 980M which is still decent for 1080p gaming. Just note that a modded driver may be required for a 900 series card and it will definitely be needed for a 10 series card. 

If you pair this upgrade with a 4900/4910MQ processor then you will have a pretty decent laptop. There is no real need for a 4930/4940MX processor unless you want to do some major overclocking. 

Hi @mattyb3  thank you for joining in. The original post was all about keeping this excellent system running. I agree that keeping upgrades within the capabilities of the system board, etc. should be embraced. Upgrading the screen and a few other parts would improve system capabilities.

However, seem to have lost sight of the original request "is there any possibility to replace this GPU with any other? For example some GeForce from the same year that has same sockets or power consumption.". @Sorpa  needs to revisit their requirements. 

Hey @crimsom some people may assume that MXM GPU's have generational sockets similar to CPU's so I was just pointing out that there are more upgrade options available. The line you quoted seems to suggest that he was thinking this. Power requirements do change but the M290x came with the 3-pipe heatsink so upgrading to a 980M would be reasonably simple and would give a definite boost in performance without breaking the bank. 

Hi @mattyb3  thank you for the update, it is appreciated. The Alienware 17, i7-4710MQ , AMD Radeon R9 M290X is an excellent system with many upgrade options, not just the GPU. I was hoping that @Sorpa would join in and let us know their thoughts on a trouble free performance boost upgrade they were considering. The GeForce GTX 880M GPU is a fully supported Dell variant in the Alienware 17 series. Kind regards.

Personally I'd stay well clear of the 880M. They run hot and have a higher than usual failure rate (maybe due to the 8GB vRAM on a PCB that couldn't handle it). I have a stack of dead ones on my workbench. The 780M is very similar in performance to the 880M, should be slightly cheaper and is pretty solid. 

That being said, the 8970M or R9 M290x (same card with a different vBIOS) still has driver support unlike the Nvidia 700 and 800 series so it has overtaken these cards in performance. As AMD isn't quite as popular, you can usually grab one at a reasonable price. 

Honestly I have a dead GPU box which contains all three of these cards but the 880M is the worst of the bunch. 

There is also a Clevo 8970M on a blue PCB which is apparently bulletproof but they are harder to get and therefor more expensive. Haven't tested one of these myself though.