Upgrade my alienware laptop? Yay or nay??

Dario del rio · 19 Oct 2017 at 15:56

I have a M17x R4 Alienware laptop that's over 4 years old and was thinking about upgrading the graphics card if possible.
It has a Nvidia GeForce GTX 660m. But I'm seeking advice weather or not it's worth upgrading or if I would be better putting the money towards building my own gaming pc? Has anyone done this successfully.
Thanks in advance!

BaroUK2 · 19 Oct 2017 at 16:10

If you have enough space in your room build a new gaming pc.
Upgrading your laptops gpu is expensive, its last years graphic cards as well compatibility with your laptop such as enough cooling or enough power to run them....

nIckEl101 · 20 Oct 2017 at 12:11

i have alienware m18x R2 with a gtx 680m, and have looked into this, to get a new GPU is expensive and you can only get it from places like eurocom, and it's not as easy to install as a desktop pc. Personally i am now looking buidling a new pc in next 6 monthss

UnworthyBean · 20 Oct 2017 at 12:21

Definitely just put the money towards a desktop. Upgrading the laptop will be expensive and only so far you can go with it as some parts just can't be replaced.

At least with the desktop everything can be upgraded at one point.

Noughtboy · 21 Oct 2017 at 00:32

What he said ^

Somethings are not worth upgrading...more cost effective to buy new. Wives excluded! Stick with the devil you know in those cases.

Dario del rio · 21 Oct 2017 at 03:01

Thanks guys for the advice. Will defo look into building a gaming pc instead.

orbitalwalsh · 21 Oct 2017 at 07:36

If you need a laptop profile , getting one with thunderbolt 3 helps. Few eGPU unit out there but most are £400 with a card or locked to a brand

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Gigabyte 1070 Gaming Box eGFX Enclosure including GTX 1070 (GV-N1070IXEB-8GD 1.0)= £599.99

Total: £611.09
(includes shipping: £11.10)

Sold out as soon as soon as they came in. Not lucked but only itx cards

Personally would go itx build if you like small

Oakhome · 21 Oct 2017 at 18:52

I've just taken the plunge from an M18x R2 with SLI 780m's to build my own desktop. Although people over on notebookreview.com are upgrading to 980m's I'd rather start fresh. However, if you fancy a challenge take a look:
Upgrade GPU

Rannoch · 21 Oct 2017 at 18:53

Build a new machine. Not worth upgrading that laptop.

Aneskimo · 21 Oct 2017 at 19:29

Like others have said it’s better to invest into a desktop, laptops are actually a bit of a hassle to upgrade too

ELiTECH · 21 Oct 2017 at 19:32

If you have money burning a hole in your wallet then go ahead but I would just get a gaming pc and a small i3/ i5 laptop for computing on the go.

Badfish · 23 Oct 2017 at 12:57

Indeed, not worth upgrading it, get a desktop PC

ExoMale · 23 Oct 2017 at 23:52

Just sell the laptop and buy a more recent gaming laptop?