Fastest (modded) m5550 here

Since I have voided my m5550's warranty several times over (changing CPU from Core "1" Duo 2.0 to Core 2 Duo 2.33, and by flashing BIOS two times to newer versions), I decided to REALLY void the warranty...

And, by doing so I have created the fastest m5550 here.

In short, I changed out the GO 7600 to an ATI X1900

I bought the Type III mxm ATI x1900 card from Mxm-upgrade.com, or something like that. The card fits the mobo fine, but required grinding the rear portion of the heatsink to clear a raised chip on the x1900 that the GO 7600 does not have.

Initial performance results:

For gaming, FAR FAR better than the GO 7600. No comparison. I've been playing Silent Hunter 4, Stalker, Command and Conquer 3 Kane Edition, on the native res of my screen, 1280 x 800. While not perfect framerates, these games were totally unplayable w/ the GO 7600. Heat?

Yes, thats the big problem. I do not ever, ever, use the latop now w/o a laptop cooler, and even so, the right palm rest gets very very hot. In fact, you could lose some skin on your right hand if you are using the touchpad instead of a mouse. I can see now why Alienware did NOT stuff an x1900 into the case of the m5550. You simply can NOT be careless with this laptop now. It basically requires, 100% of the time, a laptop cooler. Surfing the net in bed, decide to get up, and toss the laptop on your covers and come back a few hours later? Good luck, there will probably be a fire. Etc

In short, I now have fairly decent gaming 15.4" laptop, however, I still feel that 15" laptops just aren't the right choice for gaming.

Screens:

X1900 on the left, GO 7600 on the right (both 256MB cards)



x1900, mounted in m5550



Windows Vista Score GO 7600



Windows Vista Score x1900



3D Mark 05 Score GO 7600



3D Mark 05 Score X1900

For some reason, my 3D Mark scores have always been low, even from the 1st day I got the laptop from the factory. I have tried many reinstalls of the OS, but never had any good luck.

4800 is all I can get on 3DMark 05, and that is with the x1900. 1200 is all I could get with the GO 7600. No idea why the scores are so low.

Regarding the battery question: The battery seems to last about the same amount of time as it did with the 7600, as long as its just very light use (surfing the net). I have not tried watching video clips on battery power yet.

EDIT:

I recently gave up on this task. Card generated too much heat inside the case, as well as seriously heating up the external power brick. Waiting to see if the other user is successful with installing a GO 8600m.