Alienware M17 (not M17x) video card upgrade

Hello, I have the M17 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

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.

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, I saw this thread.

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?

 Re: Alienware M17 (not M17x) video card upgrade

Holy cow, another M17 owner....  (mine's in my sig...) Nice that they lasted so long, though, isn't it? Mine is still going strong...


I can't help you, as I got mine with the crossfire originally, but just wanted to show solidarity....  Good luck!

(ironic, as I'm about to upgrade, too - but looking to just get a new lappy for me. Probably a M18x around the end of the year....)

 Re: Alienware M17 (not M17x) video card upgrade

Cheap card:
Dell Alienware M17 R1 MXM II ATI HD3870 512MB Video Card VM88XT512MBSLVR1 | eBay

Not so cheap cable (because of the postage):
eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d

You may be able to find a cheaper cable.

 Re: Alienware M17 (not M17x) video card upgrade

^ Just like in my link 17 AUD is fine but I am in Europe...

 Originally Posted by jeffreyac 

Holy cow, another M17 owner....  (mine's in my sig...) Nice that they lasted so long, though, isn't it? Mine is still going strong...

I knew it would happen like that, once I learnt that Dell bought Aw, that it would go - 'Suit yourself'. The guy on the support even asked me how my laptop is still working... Previously they offered me to replace my optical drive because the black disc where the DVDs/CDs are attached got loose, when all I had to do was stick this black plastic disk where it had to be...

Also if I hadn't paid the 'cheap' VAT from UK, I may have had it with Xfire too. At least, is the Alienware Area 51 crossfire cable the one that the M17 also uses?

Alienware area-51 m17- Cross Fire Cable- MOBL-VW840CFCABLE- Cables- Alienware Laptop- Notebook Parts- Splus Direct

Also what about a Video Card ventilation for M17... and how does it look like?

Currently with some newer expansions of games 512 started becoming insufficient and I don't wanna go lowest quality of game grahphics, actually wanted higher. Another 512MB should be enough for what I want.

If you wanna sell some parts like a vent and the 2nd video card and cable when you buy a new one, let me know. For me this is not justified atm to buy a new laptop just cause I need 150 USD ,more.

 Re: Alienware M17 (not M17x) video card upgrade

I hate to burst your bubble but adding another 512mb graphics is not going to add to the graphics memory. When it comes to memory games only see the memory in 1 card and not all added together. So you are stuck with having 512mb of graphics memory.

Adding a second card can improve the graphics quality of games if it supports crossfire.

 Re: Alienware M17 (not M17x) video card upgrade

^ Are you sure you know what you're talking? 2x512MB acts better than a single 1GB video card, and since you say IF you don't even know that Alienware M17 is offered with crossfire...

And if it made no difference for games, why would crossfire exist for a gaming laptop? ...

I do not know whether lag caused by too many units or animations is a result of lack of memory (I cover the minimum requirements which are 256MB video) or the 'quality' e.g - lowering graphics quality and thus adding a card to allow me to play on higher graphics settings