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Need a new graphics card
I need to purchase a replacement graphics card for my Alienware M17x R3, I will admit to being fairly ignorant regarding computers, but I know how to do the basics like updated drivers, install windows, etc.
According to my conversations with Dell employees, the only cards I can replace my blown graphics card with are the Nvidia GTX 580m, The Radeon 6970, or the Radeon 6990. The problem is that all of these cards are "discontinued," meaning neither dell nor the hardware manufacturers have them for sale.
The computer is only 3 years old, so I am astonished that (A) the graphics card already needs replacing, and (B) Dell (knowingly ?) sold me cards that were going to be discontinued so quickly. I am able to use the integrated graphics right now, but they are basically useless for gaming... so my questions are:
1. If can't find a replacement card via third party, do I really need to purchase an entire new computer for gaming just because 1 part went bad?
2. Can someone link me to one of the above video cards via a third party seller. I havn't been able to find anything, though I'm not sure exactly where to look.
Thank you for your assistance.
Dell-Rajesh R
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October 22nd, 2013 18:00
Hi Jdin,
The Alienware M17x R3 is shipped with AMD Radeon HD 6970M \ AMD Radeon HD 6870M.
Video card is not soldered to the motherboard. You can just replace the Video card.
Refer the following links for Video cards:
http://dell.to/1cUBaHK
http://dell.to/161QYqj
If the computer has active warranty I shall go ahead and arrange for a service to replace the part.
Check warranty status: http://dell.to/10pMa86
Kindly private message me the service tag of the computer. To private message click Here, then click "Send a Private Message".
Awaiting your response!
ieee488
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4 Operator
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11.1K Posts
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October 24th, 2013 10:00
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Graphics-Video-Cards-/27386/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Alienware+M17x+R3&_sop=1
Jdin
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October 24th, 2013 10:00
Ok, I sent a PM to "Dell-Rajesh R- per his request, and he did not respond, so I'm just going to post it publicly in case anyone else can respond.
I understand that, theoretically, the graphics card can just be replaced. The issue I"m having, though, is that it can't be replaced because Dell no longer sells it. It is "discontinued," along with all of their other recommended replacement cards.
Can I just replace the card with something from M17x R4 series? The Dell representative I spoke to said there "may be incompatibility issues later on." What does that mean?
I guess, to reiterate, I'm just baffled that product that is only 3 years old has been discontinued so thoroughly that replacement parts for it no longer exists. It's not like I"m asking for a replacement part for VCR... just a graphics card that is 3 years old...