7 Technologist

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6.1K Posts

March 21st, 2021 04:00

Hi @rsoo   please connect this laptop to the internet, click on Product Support and allow laptop to be identified. The screen will reveal it is a Model Alienware 17 or any of its subsequent Revisions, R2, R3, R4, R5. To get parts from the internet, the original Model is usually described as Alienware 17 R1. The system board (mother board) dictates laptop identity, if the system board has been changed, the Model, Revision, and System Service Tag will also have been changed. Hope this helps. 

10 Elder

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30.7K Posts

March 19th, 2021 03:00

These must be the older 2013-2018 models;  you'll need to look up your exact specifications at dell.com/support (use the service tag).

While these do use socketed CPUs and GPUs, there are limits on upgrading (you need to stay within the generation your system supports -- and there are five generations of these).  With GPU upgrades you'll find the supply of cards limited and the prices higher than you might expect.

 

2 Posts

March 19th, 2021 03:00

Hey there thanks for the info where would the service tag be i.e on the shell or in computer very new to alienware

 

 

10 Elder

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30.7K Posts

March 19th, 2021 04:00

Should be on a sticker on the system base.  It's also listed in system setup (F2 at powerup).

 

5 Practitioner

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1.7K Posts

March 21st, 2021 14:00

Hello, if the Dell Support page just lists your laptop as the Alienware 17 (with no Revision number R2/R3, etc) then you have the 2013/2014 version that does have the MXM graphics card and socketed CPU that can both be upgraded.

The CPU upgrade is limited to 4th gen Mobile processors such as the 4900/4910MQ and the extreme 4930/4940MX

The GPU has more upgrade options available. Popular upgrades are the 980M, 1060 and 1070 but this will depend on your budget. A cheaper upgrade is a 970M which should give you similar performance to a 1050. Modified Nvidia drivers are required when upgrading the GPU.

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