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Alienware M17 not M17x - videocard upgrade

post #1 of 12
Thread Starter 

Hello, I have the [url=http://gizmodo.com/5074969/alienware-m17-powered-by-ati-crossfirex-dual-graphics-cards-still-unmovable]M17[/url] released in the end of 2008 and unfortunately I bought it only with 512 MB graphics card which is ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 M88 XT.

Now with the demand of newer games I want to upgrade to crossfire 2x512 MB as it was offered back then.

I have talked to Aw/Dell support they told me they do not support these older laptops anymore and don't have the parts.

I talked to AMD support and they told me
[quote]In the HD series of graphics chips there was not master or slave version, this was something in the X1xxx and earlier cards. With your HD series the cards are the same, it is the slot on the system that decides which is master and which is slave.[/quote]

What I need is:

1) A second HD3870 (Idk when it sometime says S or M for Slave/master on pictures of that card after the answer of AMD support)
2) A crossfire cable for it
3) A VC fan for cooling down for this card I suppose...

is this offered anywhere in Europe? Either way if someone knows what to do and how

But I need to get in in Europe, this Ztronics only operates in the US and not a single response from them... where can I get those and in EU?

post #2 of 12


That's the master card. So I take it that the slave would either has an S or nothing on it.

Amazon USA does sell the ATI CrossFire cable, you need to review it for your country. I am not sure about the fan.

cheers ...
post #3 of 12
Thread Starter 

But AMD told me it doesn't matter, it's only chosen by the system so is there Master and Slave really and does it matter which one? Yes I've also seen pictures of S and M video cards.

post #4 of 12
I don't know what to tell you about what AMD told you. You are welcome to choose their explanation smile.gif

cheers ...
post #5 of 12
Thread Starter 

What does the video card fan for cooling look like on the AwM17? is it like the Area 51 one? some parts  of the two laptops are the same, here is how Area 51 video card fan looks like

 

post #6 of 12
I think ...



cheers ...
post #7 of 12
Thread Starter 

But if even the cable is different it looks like Mission IMPOSSIBLE getting the cable and VC fan...

Btw from the screenshot which exactly is the Crossfire CABLE and the VC fans can you show me pls? And most importantly - WHERE can I get them in Europe or ok even on other continents delivery oversees? They are nowhere on the internet.


Edited by emtr - 9/24/12 at 8:43am
post #8 of 12
this is what notebook ati cross fire cable looks like



cheers ...
post #9 of 12
Thread Starter 

^ err you mean exactly for my M17? Because the crossfire cables from laptop to laptop if we include not only Dell but also all other laptops are different..

 

Ok can someone show me (this must be the back of M17) where is the SHARED FAN and where are the two video cards and which is the Crossfire cable?.

 

And the question for example is, are these two cables the same the one you showed me AND

 

this one?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And wer do I buy a Video Card (VC) Fan? OR what are the THERMAL PADS and how do  they look for M17 where to buy? ...


Edited by emtr - 9/25/12 at 7:43am
post #10 of 12
The pic in post #6 above is the back of the m17 crossfire set up. As mentioned also above, you can get from Amazon

Thermal Pads ...



You can also get them on Amazon. Below is the fan assembly

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alienware-M17-W841-AVC-GPU-Cooling-Heatsink-w-Fan-Assembly-REP-W841VCHEATSINK-/350555891336?pt=US_CPU_Fans_Heatsinks&hash=item519ec26688

cheers ...
post #11 of 12
Thread Starter 

Thank you for the Fans assembly - so it is Video card 1+ CPU fan + video card 2 fans?, and which cable should I choose from the one above? And is there no other place to buy them in Europe? I fear that I may take something that is not the correct part ...

post #12 of 12
I don't think that there are more than one version of the CrossFire cable on notebooks smile.gif

Try Amazon from where you are and see if they carry the parts, if not negotiate in eBay if they can sell the items to you

cheers ...
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