M17x-R1, GPU and CPU Upgrades

sorry the Q9300 is 4 x 2.53GHz not 2.26GHz

Yes, you can upgrade to Q9300 (Four cores @ 2.26GHz) - Your model laptop and the next model (R1 and R2) will take a maximum of 8GB RAM - The ATI/AMD 5870's are a great upgrade for your model without having to modify anything, you can go as far as 2 x 2GB 6970's ( I think) without to much trouble.

With everything upgraded as far as it will go, you wont be that far from the specs on a current model M17

I can still get 20000+ score on 3D mark vantage with a M17x R1/R2

Q9300 CPU's have dropped in  price, I picked up 2 the other day for $125AU each

Wow, thank you very much, I'll go for that CPU as you said. I hope I can do it myself without troubles..  >_<  thank you again!!

Theres hundreds of threads out there explaining how to repast your CPU, most of them are good and follow roughly the same procedure, theres probably even a thread in the Alienware Forum's FAQ's. As Long as you remember a couple of things then most of the guides will work.

1. Always ground yourself before working on your laptop.

2. Discharge power before opening up your laptop.

3. Use a good quality thermal compound, some people will recommend IC Diamond, personally I think that stuff is rubbish and use Artic Silver 5 myself.

4. Remove all old thermal compound from heatsink, use methalated spirits (White spirits) and a clean soft cloth, is will remove very easily.

5. Some people will advise you to put a small amount of thermal paste on the middle of the CPU and re-apply heatsink, that theory relies on the re-application of the heatsink to spread the thermal compound evenly across the whole CPU surface, personally I dont like that method as it leaves to many things to chance and has a large possibility of missing some part of the CPU, I usually apply a small amount and use a old plastic laminated card to apply the thermal compound evenly (and thinly) across the entire CPU surface, that way you know every part of the CPU has thermal compound on it.

You can even cut the old card to the exact width of the CPU to help with even spreading

Goodluck

Andrew,  I have been looking for current knowledge on upgrading my m-17x (r1). I believe this is the closest I have gotten. I have a few questions though ; how much of a difference is it running the 2, amd 5870's vs just one? Also if I only wish to install 1 card,  would I be better off with just going with the Amd 6970? I'm trying to upgrade the best I can while not spending over $300 solely on the gpu. Also do you have any knowledge on how to get the led lights working again without having to do that crazy re-flashing chips with custom built computer parts... I re-installed the command center from the boot disk after a virus and re-installing windows. But anyway, as you can tell I've had hard times with this laptop but I know it's upgrade-able and I just need some guidance that's not from 2011

Thanks 

Hello christowfur, there is enough of a improvement with the second AMD5870 to justify spending the money.

I have not tried a AMD6970 is a M17x (R1) but there are alot of people who have, all of them report that the native fan control does not work with the 6970 or 6990 and the fans spin at full speed, which is pretty noisy of a R1/R2, HW monitor is required to slow them down, which suggests that you will have to set tempurature thresholds and fan speeds yourself. I have run 2 x 5870's in a R1 with no fan problems, native control works.

The speed difference between 1 x 6970 and 2 x 5870 is negligable, from memory I think the two 5870's out perform the single 6970 in 3D Mark Vantage. Average frame rates for a single 5870 on a R1 in 3D mark vantage are roughly 30-45 FPS, with X-fire or two 5870's the rate increases to 65-80 FPS

As for Command Center, I know you said you tried this but try it again.

1. Uninstall command center.

2. Restart your computer

3. Download the latest version of command center from the Dell website, here is a link

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/au/en/audhs1/DriverDetails/Product/alienware-m17x-r2?driverId=DVV2X&osCode=W764&fileId=2731096967&languageCode=en&categoryId=AP

4. Restart your computer BEFORE opening command center.

Are any of your Alien FX lights working? The reason I ask is if only one part (say the keyboard) is not lighing up then it actually maybe a faulty keyboard.

If after you have followed the above instructions and command center still does not light up everything then I think you may have a faulty motherboard (Alien FX control chip) not a big issue, M17x motherboards (Dell Part Number 0F415N) are selling for under $150 on ebay, if you do purchase one, make sure to ask the seller if it's been tested, especially the on board graphics, they fail all the time and some sellers resell them even though they are faulty.

Good luck - PM me if you need additional info

Sorry, I was unable to figure out how to PM you :(

Anyway, I am looking to buy an AMD 5870m. Now I'm looking online and I'm seeing a lot of cards for sale that are used for crossfire (The ones that have the blue cable attached and would go on the opposite side of the main gpu) I was wondering if it matters which one you buy? Is this one ONLY used has a secondary? Or can it be put on the other side and still used as my main gpu? I have a feeling that it cannot be used as my main gpu, im asking cause i was really close to buying it! Also just for reference, Im going to be upgrading from a gtx 260m (I know ancient rright!). I should see a decent increase right? Or will I be wasting my time?

As far as my led lights, I re-read my first post and realized I was a little unclear. I had gotten a virus that was giving me constant BSOD's. I had to re install windows and I also re-installed the command center from the boot CD. I should of researched about it, but at the time thought nothing of it. Come to find out, using the boot cd was like a huge mistake being made by numerous owners that was messing up everyone's alien fx.(Lucky me right?) The only way I have seen or even heard of to fix this issue, is like this:

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8xqr6_KqwQ:550:0]

That's a little to intense for me to pull of,nor do i possess the resources to be able to do that. So I guess my question is, do you know how to do that, without the custom computer chips and what not. That guy now fixes other peoples alien fx issue for $150. The thing is, 5 seconds into that video when he talks about that error message (the .NET error). I don't receive that error. So maybe I don't have that problem? Hopefully not, however the re-installing command center did not work, along with other fixes I have tried. I would love to have the lights back on,but then again its only for looks. Which is why I haven't sent my computer to that guy. I would rather upgrade the gpu. So yeah...I appreciate you helping me out. Any and all information is appreciated.

Thanks again 

Hi again, here are the official part number for left and right side 5870 GPU

C8245 - 5870 Left side (Primary)

RV546 - 5870 Right Side (Secondary)

There are also two other part number associated with Alienware 5870, I'm not sure but I think they may be from a M15x or perhaps a different revision for the M17x R2

RT01J and 731MJ

If you get the correct VBIOS you can reflash a secondary 5870 to primary and visa versa, here is a link to a Alienware 5870 VBIOS, but I'm not 100% sure it's the correct one to reflash, so you will need to get confirmation from someone else here.

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/au/en/audhs1/DriverDetails/Product/alienware-m17x-r2?driverId=MJVMN&osCode=W764&fileId=2731097901&languageCode=en&categoryId=VI

I've got bad news for you concerning your Alien FX lights, there has been an article published for a while now on Alienware forums warning owners not to use command center from a resource DVD, the link is below, you need to scroll down to the bottom, this link is new, there used to be a big link in the alienware forum FAQ's saying something along the lines of

Do not use command center from resource dvd on machine purchased 2010 or 2011, I can't remember now, the new link I've supplied says basically the same thing but without the extra detail

http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&cs=19&docid=427682

The Alienware laptop being "repaired" in the youtube video is a M15x, it had different problems with Alien FX to what you have and yours cannot be fixed without changing the motherboard, that being said your motherboard ( part number F415N ) is now super cheap, around the $120-$150US mark, so fixing it wont cost the earth.

Make sure you try all the suggestions to fix alienFX in the above link before purchasing another motherboard.

If you do purchase another motherboard, make sure to ask the seller if it's been tested, particularly the onboard GPU, which has a reputation for becoming faulty, sellers like to still sell them with broken onboard GPU's as the system will still boot and function fine with discrete GPU's.

One more thing about the 5870's, and confirmation from someone else on this would be good, M15x 5870's work in a M17x, but I think there may be a problem with crossfire, even if you reflash them, not 100% sure on that and if you stick to genuine M17x 5870's you should have no problems

Thanks for the information again Andrew

I installed my Amd 5870m that I ordered online. Everything was working great! I installed the drivers and the AMD control panel. I started a few games and I saw a HUGE upgrade from my previous gtx 260m. Life was great until my computer restarted....I got what I researched to be a P.O.S.T error? When I would start up the screen does not start up and I would get 1 long beep followed by 2 short beeps. I found out that that is a failure in the video system. So far I have tried re-seating the video card but no luck, in fact bad luck. In the process of doing that, I some how managed to break the little clip that holds the ribbon wire in place for the indicator cover...which I'm sure you aware of, houses the main power button...So thats just another problem and or part I will have to buy. I just took out the 5870m and tried to boot with no gpu, I hear the fans start up as if its going to start, but the screen stays blank. I even tried putting the 260m back in to try and still nothing, not even the beeps anymore...I'm really worried now. Please help if possible

well to eliminate some issue...  since it is an R1 M17x it does have an onboard video so removing  the 5870 it should run on the onboard ....

try removing the 5870 and see if system will post.....

also try power draining system by removing battery/power plug holding power for 30 seconds(if u can get cable to hold long enough)  then reattach power(no battery at this point)  and see if it will post with the 5870..

also u stated at first u had a 280M... now a 260 in last post...  if a 260 was original its possible the power supply don't have power to run the 5870 and ran @ its full cap to try and worked then now cant support the power ...(just a thought to find out... just post the D/PN (part number) off the power supply (doubt it but never know)

Whoops.

If your've still got the clip you can still use it, otherwise ebay again :P (P/N: W779M)

Use your fingernails next time, and be very cafeful with the ribbon cable, those things are flimsy, the wire ends will burr and fray then your back at square one

As for the error beeps, did you move or touch the RAM while you were in there? If so try re-seating it.

What CPU and RAM do you have installed?

Otherwise try a complete power drain, M17x's can be a little touchy sometimes.

1. Disconnect AC power and battery.

2. Remove bottom cover

3. Touch a water tap or something metal connected to the ground to ground yourself.

4. Disconnect the coin cell battery, it's beside the center fan (CPU).

5. Hold and keep down power button till a count of 20

6. Just to be sure it's completely drained, leave the laptop for 15-20 minutes

7. Ground yourself again.

8. Reconnect everything, starting with the coin cell battery.

9. Turn on laptop, if it boots, hit the F2 key and boot into system BIOS.

10. Set correct date, time in system BIOS

11. Scroll through system BIOS until you find a option like "Graphics"

12. Scroll down and enter the graphics menu.

13. Scroll through graphics menu until you find an option that let you disable the intergrated GPU (So the laptop is forced to use the 5870, not onboard graphics)

14. Save changes and exit system BIOS

If this solves your problem then I suspect you may have a faulty intergrated GPU, which that model is notorious for, not a big deal as you can set things so the laptop boots using the 5870.

If this does not solve your problem try the reverse, make the computer boot using onboard intergrated graphics.

That will give you a better idea of what is actually going on.

By the way, what GPU driver and version did you install Dell or AMD, v13-4 I think is the current one

Let me know how thing go.

No luck so far...

I've ordered a new indicator cover for $20 (tested) it included the wire and should be here by the 1st. So thats done with at least.

Unfortunately I cannot give you the exact CPU specs right now since my computer wont turn on at all and I dont know them off the top of my head, but I do  know its the m17x with the Intel core duo with 4g of RAM. I did not touch the RAM at all while installing the GPU. I did go in and confirm that it was seated properly after you mentioned it. After a few attempted boots, I started to not get any error beeps at all. The fans would start up, but the screen would stay black,not even a back light (I can rule out any led light indications since mine didn't work to begin with). It sounds a lot like the problem these guys were having in this thread: http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19462593.aspx  

I did try that BIST test and nothing happened, the fans spun for a little while longer....but thats about it. I randomly got the error beeps back on 1 attempted boot, but then back to nothing. Stress levels are high and climbing for me, again any help please...

Hi again, I have a few question to ask.

When you installed the 5870, did you try to boot into intergrated graphics at any time afterwards(Function & F7)?

What graphics driver did you install (Dell or nvidia)?

Can you confirm you tried a complete power drain?

How long have your Alien FX lights not been working and are all of them non functional or just some?

Did you check you power supply part number, 89fordprobee made a good point, especially now we know you had a core two duo and GTX260's - they have very low power requirements compared to what you now have?

If your've tried the BIST test with no results then thats a bad sign, especially if you have already tried a power drain!!!

Check the end of the power ribbon cable you have now, is it frayed? are any of the individual wires loose from the paper/plastic backing? You might need a magnifing glass to look properly

Do you use intergrated graphics feature at all? When was the last time you used it?

Did you remove the two LCD cables that run from the motherboard to the LCD? Is there a chance you jarred them loose? The long one of the left hand side can be a pain to get connected properly, check and make sure they are connected and the cable of the right has not been pulled out the back of its plug (Damaged)

Have you tried with battery only? or power only, no battery?

Do you still have your old 260 together, or did you cannibalize the parts for the 5870, if you still have it, try booting with that.

Get back to us with the results, try to answer with as much detail as you can, it will make diagnosing this a little easier.

Good luck

I never used the function f7 to the integrated  card but when I booted it the first time with the 5870, I switched on the integrated card and turned off hybrid graphics.

As for the drivers, I went to the AMD site and used the detect and install wizard they offer. The card was working fine with the drivers that were installed.

I did go in and drain the power including the coin battery, however I have no way of confirming because every time  I have to use the power button, I have to hold the ribbon in place so it will work. I know you said that I could still use the brown clip that holds the ribbon in place, but not only did that come off, the little slots that the "hinges" on the clip fit into on the circuit board actually broke. I'll see if I can add a picture. I think I've gotten good at knowing when the ribbon is actually making contact,but I have no way of knowing for sure. I'm holding off on working on it anymore until my new indicator cover comes in this week.I ordered a cover that includes a new ribbon, so that should eliminate that possibility. I am able to get a positive power when I hold the ribbon in place, like I said before, the fans will spin up for a few seconds at first then you can hear the computer running but it very quiet as if its in standby or something.

My alien fx lights went out after I used the resource disk one day after a very bad virus. I believe you told me that there was articles about not using the resource cd cause it would ruin something rather. But all of my lights have been out since. I mentioned it in my last post cause I read that the m17x and the r2 I believe, use the caps,scroll, and num lock led's to relay error messages.

I didn't check the power supply yet, but I will say that since I've had this black screen problem, I put in my 260m back in to try to fix it and it's stayed in ever since. So it should at least be able to power up with the 260m in right?

For the ribbon wire again, does in need to maintain contact to keep the computer running in any way? That would be my only guess at whats going on. If it is frayed, would that mean its not getting the right signal to power the computer on?

I'm pretty sure the last time I had booted it, I had the integrated graphics on but the hybrid setting was off.

I never touched the LCD cables, and I was considering that as the problem. I'll have to look up how to mess with those.

I have tried both battery only and power supply only, both do the same thing.

Once I get my new indicator,if I'm still having problems, Ill start uploading videos to help resolve this. As you can see in the picture, the left side were the ribbon clip would go, is broken. I guess I don't know my own strength  o.0