ALIENWARE M17X r4 - 2012 GPU UPGRADE

Well I can give you my experience. Unless you have the laptop in warranty (supposedly they don't have any 680m's in their parts or warranty department inventories as of 2 weeks ago).

First see if you have 3 copper pipes on your 675m (I don't know what they did on the 675 but it appears it is only a 75 watt heatsink, the 680m requires a 100 watt heatsink - this watt is in reference to usually the wattage the card is drawing and the "heat" that will be generated). So you will have to buy a 100 Watt version of the Heatsink.

Note the Geforce GTX model needs to have the "m" after the model number, to avoid confusion with desktop versions.

The 680m is the highest model number you can go on your laptop without "modifications". You could even put a 9xxm model in, but it is complex so that defeats your desire to keep it simple.

If you don't want to do the work, there are places that will sell you the kit and do the work, but that adds cost. Check out Eurocom so you can see what your laptop can be upgraded to. If you are under warranty you should get most of this except the upgrade at no cost (but be wary of the service, make sure you really test your laptop in depth after the work).

You will also need to worry about the ac adapter you have. Once again I don't know what they included with your model, but you will need at least the 240 watt.

* So will you need a new heatsink? Yes if you go with anything greater than your 675 or you switch to the 7970m.

*Will getting a 680m be easy plug and play? No, not if you are comfortable with removing and installing parts and drivers, however sites like this, techpowerup, techinferno and others are great resources for helping you install, also view videos on youtube so you can see what would be involved to see if it is something you can handle)

I would also remain within the normal channels of upgrades (meaning Dell, Eurocom or other "noted" companies that do this) so avoid e-bay and amazon (in most cases) as you will have to do the work yourself and you aren't promised an actual Dell card with all of the parts you need.

So post if you are in warranty or out. If in warranty, contact Dell to find out the cost of the change (see if they will replace your 675m with 680m as a courtesy/goodwill gesture). That would be the safest way as your warranty (depending on what time is left on it, will at least help you - but don't count or bet your life on their support, just warranty will force them to at least have to respond if you can bug them). If out of warranty I am sure there are many on here who can give you suggestions.

Also post the amount you are willing to spend on the upgrade as that will be important.

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ALIENWARE M17X r4 - 2012 GPU UPGRADE