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21 Posts
0
10523
June 17th, 2016 05:00
AlienWare 17 r3 upgrade options
Hey guys and gals. Sorry if you have seen 1000 of these posts but I've looked and none seem solid.
I haven't got a great budget so I can't buy test and buy another if it doesn't work, so I'm looking for tested, working upgrades in memory and storage. I haven't got the laptop yet I still have my r1 but I would like to purchase everything before it get's here but it seems everything has changed.
From what I gather it has 1x hdd slot, 2x m.2 ssd and 2 ram slots
If that i's right I wanted some tested options for 2 SSD for the m.2 one for 128gb and another 500gb (1 boot 1 games)
Also 2x 16gb ram modules that work
I have heard so many conflicting stories saying some work and some bsod your laptop or get shoddy speeds. Hence why I wanted your guys input
If there is anything else I can upgrade that I don't know about that would be awesome as well.
Thanks for your help in advance
eternalkp
314 Posts
1
June 17th, 2016 17:00
you are right, the 17 R3 has only two slots of m.2 ssd, but they are pci express x4...which is really fast if you add a samsung NVMe base ssd. the old alienware 17 R2 (previous) has 4 m.2 but only sata speed. this laptop has 1 2.5inch mechanical harddrive, which i will eventually upgrade to a 2tb ssd when the price goes down more. there are two slots for RAM and support upto 32. I highly recommend 4k panel option. the 4k panel is breath taking.
I recommend
1. 4k panel
2. either gpu is good, 980M if you are going to game a lot.
3. standard 1tb hd, you can always add an ssd later. Alienware uses PM951 SSD, great write speed but terrible write speed. Samsung is supposed to release 1tb 950 pro, which has insane write/red speed. If you have patience, wait for the samsung 961 series.
4. choose intel 8260 wifi receiver, the killer is rubbish.
5. RAM amount depends on your line of work, but remember there are only two slot. Alienware uses 2 8gb for 16gb option. So when you want 32gb, you have to sell the old ones.
6. both i7 6700hq and 6820hk is fast. the difference between them is only 100MHz. Overclocking in a laptop is never a good idea.
SteveSutton
21 Posts
0
June 17th, 2016 14:00
Thank you for the reply. Although from what I've read up so far that article is outdated. I've heard they have 2 m.2 slots not 4 and that it supports 32gb not just 16gb. Which they even sell the top end laptop with 32gb upgradeable. That's why I went to the forums to see who has actually tried and tested different things and brands/speeds ect
SteveSutton
21 Posts
0
August 8th, 2016 11:00
just incase anyone else see's this for them, i used crucial's balistix ram 2x 16GB and also installed a samsung 950 pro 256GB with limited success, it worked with bios settings being changed off raid, then fresh install and wiping my existing hdd. speed isnt as desired but still fast enough