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M17x Build HELP!

post #1 of 13
9/29/10 at 9:40pm
Thread Starter 
To whom it may concern,

I'm planning on getting an M17x from Alienware, but from reading this forum we could upgrade a lot of the parts myself. I am wondering is it worth it buying the basic at a really low cheap price then upgrading everything or am I going to run into problems down the road?

-D
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post #2 of 13
9/29/10 at 11:29pm
What I would suggest is get the base system with the best Graphic cards possible.

I would upgrade the drives, memory, and CPU myself later.

The Video cards are the big dollar item you want covered under the dell warranty

last keep the original CPU for warranty purposes just in case you have to send the unit back to Dell.

Also if your in the USA check out Dells Outlet store, and look sign up for Dells coupons and offers, at times you can snag a really good deal on th outlet with a combined discount coupon as well.
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post #3 of 13
9/30/10 at 12:34am
Thread Starter 
Ok Thanks. That's what I was going to ask the Dell people tomorrow, if I bought the one video card does the mother board have 2 pci slots, i.e one free or do they have different motherboards for single cards and crossfire? Also can you even update the graphics yourself? I do not really have money at the moment to buy high end but will in the future to upgrade. If you can replace the graphics yourself can you go from one card to crossfire without much of a problem?

-D
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post #4 of 13
9/30/10 at 9:23pm
The M17x can support 2 video cards,

If you were to add a second GPU you would need a GPU upgrade kit, which would have the video card, Heat sink, Fan, and crossfire or Sli cable (depending on your build)

It is faily easy to do, the complete tear down manausl are on dells site for free.
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post #5 of 13
10/3/10 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the help. I was wondering if maybe you can tell me where I would go about buying the upgradable parts.

-D
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post #6 of 13
10/4/10 at 3:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by murraydo15 View Post
Thanks for the help. I was wondering if maybe you can tell me where I would go about buying the upgradable parts.

-D
Dell will sell the parts separately.
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post #7 of 13
10/4/10 at 5:55pm
Thread Starter 
They will really? I was talking to one of the dell service people and they basically started treating me like the plague when I started asking techinical questions including for upgradable parts....

-D
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post #8 of 13
10/4/10 at 7:34pm
I've purchased many parts from them in the past. I haven't had any issues.
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post #9 of 13
10/5/10 at 6:52am
Thread Starter 
Ok then, that works. I guess right now I'm just worried about the buying the basic then when it comes to upgrading it, I get nervous because I won't know what I'm doing then eff up the whole laptop and screw myself....

-D
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post #10 of 13
10/5/10 at 1:07pm
Just make sure that you follow the taking apart instruction closely and don't rush. Upgrading is simple and treacherous at the same time

cheers ...
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post #11 of 13
10/5/10 at 4:16pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, and all of the the cpu upgrades diy videos or pictures is on this site right? I mean I will probably make one myself when I get my laptop as it is.

-D
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post #12 of 13
10/5/10 at 4:29pm
Absolutely .. and our crazy tips and inputs

Good luck!

cheers ...
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post #13 of 13
10/5/10 at 4:50pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
Absolutely .. and our crazy tips and inputs

Good luck!

cheers ...

Thanks man, The only problem is getting the money togther!! I'm at $500 so far and I wish I had the money sooner beacause they had a special for double the student discount so now I'm back to only $100 dollars off it. Oh the humanity But my cousin found a sweet deal on the game Left 4 Dead 2.

-D
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