Leo14

Okay, I've never really done anything to this extent computer wise. I've switched cards out before on my desktop but that was way easier then this seems. First, I saw a few videos, but was weary to tackle the project as I don't know what I need to do this. It's just a video of people doing it, not really that helpful. Plus I don't wanna BREAK ANYTHING. No warranty, I got the card but need to use the same heat sink (right?) and I saw people using some thermal paste / thermal cleaner remover? Can someone explain that too? Where to buy, etc.. What tools are needed? Basic screw driver? I have a m17xr3 with a 460m upgrading to a 580m.. Thanks in advance, sorry I know it's been covered I'm just really concerned

I'm getting a 580m

Well, prior to previous beliefs I was just told that the 660/680 doesn't work for our systems? Well the m17xr3 at least.. further reasearch showed me that somethign with 3D and the bios but this was from 2012 I saw all this from, can someone confirm? What card can/should I upgrade to? I don't understand. But I was sold the GTX 660 for the desktop... Lied to by dell/alienware, and charged for something I didn't agree to. Now they are being a PITA with canceling and they also don't have a 660m and are checking on a 580m.. Damn dell, and they are so stupid over there I can't even fathom it. None of them know what the difference between a 660 and a 660m is I swear.

Thanks for the opinions guys, I ended up going with a 660m (on sale from dell today) Tried to get a 580m but they were out of stock, and I dont know how much the 680's are, I think over 500 at least right?

Agreed, I switched it due to blue screens and overall the computer just runs better.

Thanks, will definitely look into upgrading both

After playing Battlefield 4 Beta, I've realized I need to upgrade something.. I have a m17xR3 with a 460m. Plain and simple, I'm thinking about either getting a SSD, or upgrading the 460m to something along the lines of a 580/680 possibly, depending what is available and what fits.. I know I should probably put some more specs in here, so if need be I will later on.

whoops never updated this, forgot to flash my video card bios after re installing windows a while ago (called dell and they told me i had to flash my bios, 2 hours for that and than not even 30 minutes later I get 2 BSOD's. WTF?! Next phone call will be an angry one >

Here, watch this video and you will understand what Optimus is ( if you already don't )

IMO you got lucky but congrats glad everything worked out for you As I was typing my reply I got a BSOD lol. When I sent mine it took 2 weeks or so to get my machine back. Still haven't had the time of day to sit on the phone with dell. Wish I had your luck

Hahahahah so true Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

Well over the course of time I have pretty much done all that stuff, gonna have to call dell and see what they can do for me I guess...

I've tried that, I'll read through through that again and check through/try it. Thank you! - - - Updated - - - I've tried that, I'll read through through that again and check through/try it. Thank you!

Premium was so worth it... Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

Well, I can't find sh*t. I feel like a moron now. All I see is Memory Address 0xFF000000-0xFFFFFFFF Intel® 82802 Firmware Hub Device I don't have a clue. NTFS. Local Fixed Disk.

SATA, pretty sure not a sandforce SSD, for some reason I cannot remember... ><

You are awesome, I wish I could give you a medal for all the help you've given. Just so happen I meant to post em but forgot, here they are Windows Problem: Shut down unexpectedly Files that help describe the problem: 052812-18189-01.dmp sysdata.xml WERInternalMetadata.xml View a temporary copy of these files Warning: If a virus or other security threat caused the problem, opening a copy of the files could harm your computer. Windows Problem: Shut down unexpectedly Files that help describe the problem: 042812-26473-01.dmp sysdata.xml View a temporary copy of these files Warning: If a virus or other security threat caused the problem, opening a copy of the files could harm your computer. Windows Problem: Shut down unexpectedly Files that help describe the problem: 042812-38235-01.dmp sysdata.xml WERInternalMetadata.xml View a temporary copy of these files Warning: If a virus or other security threat caused the problem, opening a copy of the files could harm your computer. Windows Problem: Shut down unexpectedly Files that help describe the problem: 042812-34647-01.dmp sysdata.xml WERInternalMetadata.xml View a temporary copy of these files Warning: If a virus or other security threat caused the problem, opening a copy of the files could harm your computer. Windows Problem: Shut down unexpectedly Files that help describe the problem: 050912-29016-01.dmp sysdata.xml WERInternalMetadata.xml View a temporary copy of these files Warning: If a virus or other security threat caused the problem, opening a copy of the files could harm your computer. Windows Problem: Shut down unexpectedly Files that help describe the problem: 052812-22510-01.dmp sysdata.xml WERInternalMetadata.xml View a temporary copy of these files Warning: If a virus or other security threat caused the problem, opening a copy of the files could harm your computer. Windows Problem: Shut down unexpectedly Files that help describe the problem: 051112-27237-01.dmp sysdata.xml WERInternalMetadata.xml View a temporary copy of these files Warning: If a virus or other security threat caused the problem, opening a copy of the files could harm your computer. Hahah I was so freaked out in BF3, I checked yesterday and found out I had enable 3rd party access with AlienFX on, pretty cool! I really like it, a lot. Nice to have a reminder of my HP. That was my first step, making sure everything was up to date.. - - - Updated - - - kljklkjlasdf "Name","Severity","Description" "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\","Complex","Invalid application path."

2 days, 2 BSOD's. Not even in a game, 1st one it was just my desktop and I was AFK. 2nd was just before starting up.

Thank you I will look into all of that, appreciate the reply. Yeah I want to make sure there are NO MORE BSOD's ever, and to make matters worse I broke my control key today snapped it at the edge into two pieces.. guess thats another reason to call em up. Annoying part is im back in Seattle till the 18th so gotta deal till than..

Well, haven't gotten a BSOD in quite some time. Maybe 1 or 2 in the passed month or so. But I just found this and did some searching but came up empty handed, so I now turn to you guys as I'm confused, stuck, and not sure what to do from here. " SM Bus Controller PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&SUBSYS_04901028&REV_05\3&11583659&0&FB The drivers for this device are not installed. " " Lexmark X422 ROOT\IMAGE\0000 This device cannot start. " Also, only in Battlefield 3 is when my keyboard/AlienFX bugs out.. When I get close to dieing it starts flashing red, than it goes back to white if I get healed. Or it will just change colors as if it is set to. When starting the game keyboard lights go dark, trackpad stays lit though. Had some scares when updating to the latest drivers a couple weeks ago, computer BSOD'd during update, but everything worked/performed like normal. No overclocking with the new hardware (yet?)

Gah >< well guess I'll have to deal with it for now. I'll give them a call next week or something haha my urge to play D3 is killing me. Thanks guys =D

Wow this sucks, I tried to play Battlefield, but haven't been able to keep a stable internet connection (in California for a wedding, shitty hotel wifi can't handle BF3) Probably wont get to play till tomorrow.. damnit.. Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

Ok I don't get this at all, I'm getting the same BSOD and before that for 10 minutes while trying to play BF3 at the airport my AlienFX starts doing weird things, changing colors, morphing, flashing red? Than I have to disable controller/enable FN+F11, and it will work. Did I forget to install something?

All fixed I couldn't be happier.. All this new hardware, reinstalled windows and it solved all my problems. And the new bios, I did have BSOD's but after I flashed to A10 haven't seen one since! mw86 you've been a HUGE help and I can't thank you enough.

Awesome! Thank you so much this is great to have now Damn >< that sucks I'm sorry to hear. Good thing you had spare screws!