Ashtrix

I was wondering same thing. As I have 2013 model alienware 17 with 60hz screen and windows 7. I could of sworn I heard like one of the first guys to try the 980m said it works in the alienware 17 with 60hz screen with windows 7 but only in optimus mode. Just needed to modify inf file for driver. Dedicated graphics mode would not work without doing all the windows 8.1 eufi stuff. But still waiting for someone with these system specs to confirm for sure .

Would be nice but I'm not holding my breath.

Has anyone installed gtx 980m in AW 17 (mid 2013) standard 60 Hz screen with Win 7 in optimus mode (without UEFI/Legacy enabled)? Does it really work with modified drivers on plug&play? I read this thread and there is little information about that kind of laptop configuration. I would like to be sure when I lose some money. Thanks in advance!

For the optimus / SG mode / 60Hz there's no need for a UEFI environment they are pnp just need modded drivers.

But you cannot use it in a dedicated mode if no UEFI.

So for the AW17 900M upgrade you can opt for optimus (pointless if you want to OC) and say good bye to dedicated mode or Install a win8 with full UEFI and use both.

Again for flashing vBIOS you will need to re-enable the legacy option rom in SG mode / Optimus mode then flash the card. Plus if 120Hz AW17 then atm one cannot flash their Maxwell GPU due to the stupid BIOS lockdown..

Maxwell or not, the 860m is not even close a GTX 780m. You can overclock your 860m all day, and the 780m will also overclock and stomp an 860m. You don't get high end performance from a midrange card simply by overclocking.

Its obvious that a 75W GPU can never beat or come close enough to a 100W GPU but flashing custom vBIOS will make the the card a bit more powerful than it's stock state.

The GTX 780M is massively better than a GTX 860M. The two aren't comparable. We're talking something like a 40-50% performance difference. If you want top end gaming get the 780M. If you want a cool running laptop capable of playing new games on high settings (not ultra) then get the GTX 860M (assuming its the maxwell version).

it's not a maxwell version

Thanks for your amazing work, using ur modded icons on my win7

Another question... If I upgrade to 120Hz monitor, 9xxm cards are compatible? 120hz monitor=3d right? Or it's only a fast refresh rate?

From the Specifications tab of 980M here's no mentioning of the 3D vision and some other features (G-Sync, Adaptive V sync, etc )which were in 880M and lesser revisions.

Plus I guess no one has ever tested 900M series in a 120Hz setup. "Maybe" the 3D vision works..because dropping off some cool features off new flagship is just BS !!

I'm using it right now! I just need new thermal paste. I'm considering Liquid Ultra.

You can use Liquid Ultra (Extremely careful with Haswell processors and Dell GPUs as electrical components are exposed) or go for the Gelid GC Extreme.

Before you proceed read this thread & make sure you follow this post for Liquid Ultra.

Once one installs the 980m in a system like mine can't they just use fn-5 to switch to dedicated graphics.

Sorry I'm not super computer savy just looking to upgrade my alienware with the latest graphics card like everyone else here.

I have 2013 alienware 17 with 770m and 60hz matte screen and optimus. A cording to post before mine the 980Ms work with systems with optimus right or am I misunderstanding. Thanks.

This is my first time here in these forums so go easy on me.

ATM the 980M's don't work on any Alienware Machines. As there are no "Dell" branded 900M series GPU's or AW systems with em in (vBIOS of dell not available for now) all of these cards are from Clevo or MSI...So this will take time to settle.

In the meantime go through this forum too for more information on these systems..

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/

I just got an Alienware 17 with an 860m. How long do you think it will last (playing games on at least HIGH 1080p ~40 fps) until it can't keep up with games anymore? Thanks

Try out the svl7's modded vBios for that 860M Kepler here if want to OC / Uv , Just don't forget to re-paste as the dell TMI is crap.

http://forum.techinferno.com/general-notebook-discussions/1847-nvidia-kepler-vbios-mods-overclocking-editions-modified-clocks-voltage-tweaks.html

Can I know what is the maximum warranty period that you can extend on a specific notebook ??

Can I know why there is a need for the soldering method while the older revisions have a straight forward flashable process...??

Thanks !

Edit : I think I've found it here

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19528315

http://www.ideastorm.com/idea2ReadIdea?v=1414744743167&Id=087700000008pD6AAI&pagenum=2#comments

Thankyou guys for your amazing contribution, currently i'm having a 4yr old machine.

Just want to get a few things clarified,

1 ) I'm having a complete cover protection can i ask the dell guys for changing the chassis and instead of the very problematic 260M can i upgrade to any other DELL alternative. This card had gave me hell of a problems plus the DX10 makes it more low-end to all the games.

2) Can i upgrade my GPU w/o upgrading to 920XM as they are @388USD plus the GPU would make the price make it again to a + $600 (both CPU and GPU upgrades with the PSU) or please suggest me an alternative to these expensive mods as i live in India these cards and cpu's are very expensive and the dell guys here don't know about any of these mods. If any one has a good card or any deals for m15x card upgrades like the MXM website (Down now... ) or inap of notebook review forums (Aged) it would be of great great help.

Excuse me for this newbie type post....

Thankyou !!