the model numbers must be different. reading reviews carefully is must before purchase then. however i still think top cards will get maxwell. let's see how nvidia deal with this

note: this is the how-to for gpu upgrade for alienware m17x r4, non-3d model.

first, some explanations. in terms of display panels, there are two type of models for r4:
1. 60Hz screen - non-3d model. supports dedicated gpu (dgpu) and integrated gpu (igpu);
2. 120Hz screen - 3d model. supports only dedicated gpu.

the difference in terms of bios settings between two models in the context of gpu upgrade are:
1. 60Hz screen (non-3d) - PEG (for dgpu) is disabled and igpu is enabled by default; and
2. 120Hz screen (3d) - PEG (for dgpu) is enabled and igpu is disabled by default.

the above bios settings are hidden in stock bios and you cannot change them.

however, in order to do a gpu upgrade in r4 (especially in non-3d model), you need bios options to be set to PEG enabled, and igpu disabled (like the defaults in 3d model) this is when unlocked bios by slv7 at techinferno.com comes into play. his unlocked bios allows you to change the required bios settings. since this is an unofficial bios, you must run it in legacy bios mode. (that means in bios you need to switch from UEFI to legacy mode, and disable secureboot). also, you need to install windows in legacy mode for compatibility reasons.

so the steps are really simple (based on the tutorial, http://forum.techinferno.com/alienware-m17...tml#post91201):
1. flash your r4 with A11 stock bios. in the bios menu, load all defaults and press F10 to save the changes (http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriverDetails/Product/alienware-m17x-r4?driverId=Y9N0G&fileId=3210573985). just runt the dell bios installer and it will downgrade/upgrade your bios automatically. make sure the battery is installed and power source is active;

2. prepare the dos bootable usb and flash the bios (http://forum.techinferno.com/alienware-m17x-aw-17/1964-%5Bm17x-r4%5D-unlocked-bios-versions.html grab the unlocked bios, [FPT]-M17x_R4_BIOS_A11_-_[unlocked]V2.zip, necessary files to create the dos bootable usb, FPT tools, and prr tool from the first post);

3. configure the unlocked bios (http://forum.techinferno.com/alienware-m17x-aw-17/6688-m17xr4-upgrade-gpu-gtx780m.html#post91201)

4. install new card; check the placement of thermal pads (http://forum.techinferno.com/alienware-m17x-aw-17/6688-m17xr4-upgrade-gpu-gtx780m.html#post91201)

5. reformat and reinstall windows in the legacy mode;

6. for w8/8.x, disable driver signing and reboot (http://forum.techinferno.com/alienware-m17x-aw-17/6688-m17xr4-upgrade-gpu-gtx780m.html#post91201)

7. install gpu drivers with modded .inf; first go to http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/ NVIDIA Video Drivers and Tools section, and find the matching modded .inf for your geforce drivers (tagged with 'Mobile OEM'). extract the geforce drivers from geforce.com with 7zip or winrar. then put the modded .inf into Display.Driver folder (overwrite it if necessary). finally run the installer.

8. after successful install of drivers, enable driver signing and reboot (http://forum.techinferno.com/alienware-m17x-aw-17/6688-m17xr4-upgrade-gpu-gtx780m.html#post91201)

9. done

for w8/w8.1 users, the next time you wanna update your gpu drivers, just repeat steps 6, 7, and 8.

This post has been edited by horns: Jul 4 2014, 11:52 PM

Thanks bro! Might bug you after an year or so if upgrading to 990M but makes me wonder if it will be supportable with R4 hmm. I hope so.

as long as the socket type and power requirement are still compatible with the specs of mxm 3.0b, i think there should be no problem. (yeah i hope so too lol!)

must upgrade that power brick too if power consumption of the card is too high.

btw, welcome Hiero and his M18x R2 onboard the mothership.

if that's the case, i will just opt for a new unit. modifying until that extent is never my intention. i still prefer to change parts within the limits of the machine.

Hehehehe thanks for the warm welcome ...

I don't think you need to "modify" the power brick. Is was like buying a 240watt power brick. Remove the middle pin of the power brick if throttle is happened. I think M17x motherboard is capable of receiving more than 200watt of power. so, just change it will do.

Hi Guys and bro TS raymondtong94

Just bit the bullet and got my very FIRST Alienware just yesterday.





Any tips and tricks for a newbie like me?

all models with top cards come with 240W power bricks. yes 240W should be fine for m17x/17. but what if the upcoming gpu needs more power than that? i am talking about 330W power brick mod. (like what 18 has) it involves putting the id chip from 240w into 330w brick. (to trick the machine into using the modded brick as power source)

looking at the trends, power consumption should be reduced in every cycle of new releases, and it's likely not a problem. however no one knows for sure.

My M15x comes with 150watt and the motherboard default will limit the input power with 150watt.

I am currently using AMD 7970M + 740QM which is still ok for 150 watt.

But I am planing to upgrade my processor to 940XM. I already do a lot of studies in internet when planing to upgrade that. when it comes to that CPU, I'll need a 240 watt power brick. but one problem is motherboard will not accept more than 150 watt unless we removed the middle pin of the power brick. motherboard can draw up to 230 watt base on techinferno.com and notebookreview.

I note sure about the putting the id chip. the middle pin of the power adapter is "id pin", just remove it and the so called "trick" will be done. A lot of people already doing that in M15x.

So, I guess you no need to worry about that if M17x motherboard is limit the input power not more than 240w.

The only one drawback is you can't charge the battery once you remove the middle pin.

nice

create a backup image asap if you prefer to have oem branding stuff.

however in order to see its true power, imo a better way of running the machine is with ssd (not ssd caching), and do a fresh windows install.

that's the same trick. the thing with these electronics is that although it works flawlessly, you cannot be sure how long it can withstand the modified power source. (like previously some lyp sales people telling everyone that laptop ram with 1.5v rating worked for haswell laptops)

Erm... I have different thought about this.
Electronic device will not "take" how much power you "give". It will only "take" how much it "need".

For example,

Case 1
M17x Default needs 240 watt
CPU = 100 watt
GPU = 100 watt
Motherboard, LED, Fans and others = 40 watt.
Power source (240 watt), 100% of the power is used up. (No throttle happened)

Case 2
M17x Upgraded needs 290watt
CPU = 100 watt
GPU = 150watt
Motherboard, LED Fans and others = 40 watt
Power source (240 watt), 100% of the power is used up but still not enough. (Throttle might happened)

Case 3
M17x Upgraded needs 290watt
CPU = 100 watt
GPU = 150watt
Motherboard, LED Fans and others = 40 watt
Power source (330watt), The supply power (330 watt) is larger than the needed one (290 watt). (Throttle might happened)

In case 3, the system is still only need 290 watt even if you supply more than that.
The CPU is design to draw 100 watt, it will draw 100 watt max forever
The GPU is design to draw 150 watt, it will draw 150 watt max forever.

So, I don't think the lift time of the electronic device/chip/board of the system will be reduce.

I take a desktop system as another example.
By default, the desktop have a 300 watt power supply. If you change the power supply to 1000 watt it will never kill the desktop. Am I right?

I agree all im saying is that i prefer to do things without physical mods. (It's just self preference)

In theory, yes nothing will be affected in terms of internals.

Edit: if there is a compatible 330W adapter for 17's that i can use without doing any physical mods, i will definitely use that. (It's a good thing to have it: more stable supply, way less stress to the adapter and battery)

This post has been edited by horns: Jul 7 2014, 02:16 PM

Thanks Sifu!

Good tips. Will do the backup image this week.

And also, later will hunt for a 512GB mSATA SSD for it, and do a fresh install of Windows in it.
If I install it myself, no issues right? Or is it better for me to call a Dell service personnel to come over and install for me?

Install urself no issues. Unless you can't then call the dell professionals. Congrats on ur new buy. I am still drooling over that 8GB 880M hehe.

that is one sexy alien beast!

there is no sifu here. we all learn and share

after the creation of recovery media, go to dell support site and upgrade the system with latest drivers and bios. as for regular dust cleanup and maintenance, just consult the manual. (they have very good manuals. never got lost with it. it's a good reference to plan your upgrades also)

yeah.. a ssd with a fresh windows will be the best change for the laptop. it's fine to do it yourself (there is a windows os media cd in the box just for that. however a bootable usb helps make the installation even faster). after the fresh install, create system image for the purpose of recovery. maintaining that will make your life to restore system way easier.

lol! maybe you can upgrade to 880m when the price is cheaper

damn, you just gave me a feeling wanna rob you.
never mind, i rob your Z2 is enough.

Thanks bro! Well, the 1TB HDD with 80GB mSATA Caching also performs quite good surprisingly. Just that booting up times are still not as good as SSD.

LOL. Surprised to see you here. I thought you said you not a gamer ma.

TQ for the detailed advice man! I just downloaded the Alienware 17 manual meant for 2013 Aliewanre 17, I believe it's the same hardware layout for the 2014 Alienware 17. Hmm.

Hahah. Still remember me from Z2 thread yeah.