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Run M18X with one discrete GPU only
Hello
I have an Alienware M18X-R2, which after disassembly I've discovered one of the Nvidia GPU cards has died (physical component burnt chip). If I were to remove this GPU card and leave the other in, would the computer be capable of running on one only?
Game7a1
727 Posts
0
September 20th, 2016 22:00
Yes, the computer is fine with running with 1 discrete GPU. I think buying the laptop with a sole Nvidia or AMD GPU was an option as well.
Alienware-Eimy
3 Apprentice
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4.4K Posts
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September 22nd, 2016 12:00
Hi,
The computer will work fine with just one video card. This system has the option for dual or single. Of course the performance will change but the system will be capable of running on one only.
Let me know if you need something else!
89fordprobee
1.2K Posts
0
September 22nd, 2016 12:00
assuming the one card that is removed isn't the primary.... if so would require the heatsink and such off the primary placed on secondary to use as a primary card.. as it wont work on its own in secondary slot...
this is assuming the primary is dead .... since nothng is explained which one died..
if secondary has issues just remove it and enjoy :)
corigins1
7 Posts
0
September 22nd, 2016 21:00
"assuming the one card that is removed isn't the primary"
It never occurred to me that the GPU's can be primary or secondary. May I explain then which one is dead to determine?
If the notebook is up in it's normal position and the user is looking at the screen, then the GPU on the LEFT is dead.
AndrewSi
901 Posts
1
September 23rd, 2016 06:00
Yes, as long as the working GPU is in the left (Primary) GPU slot (GPU 0) Just in case you get confused, the left (Primary) GPU takes the smaller heatsink.
corigins1
7 Posts
0
September 23rd, 2016 18:00
Thank you everybody for all the answers thus far.
So far I have deduced:
1. Primary GPU (GPU 0, left GPU, smaller heatsink) has died
2. This model *can work* with only 1 GPU provided that GPU is in GPU primary "slot 0"
My last question is: can I migrate the GPU card from slot 1 (working GPU) and safely install it into slot 0 as a replacement?
89fordprobee
1.2K Posts
0
September 23rd, 2016 20:00
yes if that card is functional... but will require GPU1 heatsink be swapped from GPU 0 since the heatsinks are different between GPU 0 and 1