However, you could give up your wifi card and make a DIY eGPU dock. You'll have to source the parts yourself, and the performance won't be on par to the GA, but it's something if you want to keep your laptop.
Some laptops have replaceable GPUs. They have an MXM form factor. Most of Alienware laptops have replaceable GUs (m15x, m17x R1 to R4, m18x R1/R2, 17 R1, and 18).
Most laptops, though, have the GPUs soldered, usually the thinner and smaller ones. These do include the m14xR1 / R2, 14, 13 R1 / R2, 15 R1 / R2, 17 R2 / R3, and m11x R1 to R3.
I don't think Ant actually upgraded the GPU in his laptop (as in physically doing the process).
Get an m14xR2 motherboard, heatsink, and fan (you'll upgrade to a GT 650m, which is much better than the GT 555m). The motherboard should fit in the m14xR1's chassis (the two laptops share many things). You'll also want to get some thermal paste and thermal pads (both are cheap). The only expensive thing is the motherboard, which can cost you about $275.
Game7a1
6 Operator
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727 Posts
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October 31st, 2015 20:00
No and no.
However, you could give up your wifi card and make a DIY eGPU dock. You'll have to source the parts yourself, and the performance won't be on par to the GA, but it's something if you want to keep your laptop.
AntDX316
2 Intern
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202 Posts
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October 31st, 2015 22:00
It's probably wiser to just get a 980m 17 R3. I came from 970m and it feels more like a desktop than a gaming laptop.
The feel is like when I went from 690 GTX to 980 Ti.
SerpGamer
7 Posts
0
November 1st, 2015 04:00
Game7a1
6 Operator
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727 Posts
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November 1st, 2015 05:00
Some laptops have replaceable GPUs. They have an MXM form factor. Most of Alienware laptops have replaceable GUs (m15x, m17x R1 to R4, m18x R1/R2, 17 R1, and 18).
Most laptops, though, have the GPUs soldered, usually the thinner and smaller ones. These do include the m14xR1 / R2, 14, 13 R1 / R2, 15 R1 / R2, 17 R2 / R3, and m11x R1 to R3.
I don't think Ant actually upgraded the GPU in his laptop (as in physically doing the process).
SerpGamer
7 Posts
0
November 3rd, 2015 09:00
Okay, so I;m no tech expert, but as far as I know, here are some basic specs of my m14x laptop:
So what and how can I change to improve my laptop instead of getting a new one, if possible?
Thank you, faithful community :)
-Serp, SerpGamer
Game7a1
6 Operator
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727 Posts
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November 3rd, 2015 10:00
You could