Alienware M14x R1 disassembly for GPU + CPU teardown / review

[hueseph]

Yeah. Scratch that comment. I wasn't paying attention.

[MyComputerguide]

@hueseph Yes ALWAYS!

[hueseph]

Just a thought. Might want to remove the battery first no?

[hewkii999]

Do you have to unscrew the back in order to take the keyboard off, or can you just take it off from the front?

[MyComputerguide]

@hewkii999 Check out my channel I have a video for the keyboard! :) shows you how to take off just the keyboard.

[hewkii999]

@MyComputerguide Thanks :) didn't see that there.

[frbjeffj]

Ok.. I'm about to receive my new M14X next week.. and was going to swap out the SATA for a 250 gig SSD ... but now you've got me scared with the optical drive cable and white plastic thing.. wow.. I hate those.. with no plugs..?! it's just the ribbon that slides under the white plastic and somehow 'touches" or something? How hard is that white thing to remove without the tool? ;/

[MyComputerguide]

@frbjeffj You can use anything thin that can pry it upwards like shown in this video. the cable isn't that sensitive so you won't break it, if anything be careful with the plastic holder that's holding down that flex cable. that can break.... in most cases it still works to hold the cable into place.

[reallywhatisit]

What goes in the plug next to the battery, in the curv the cord rests in

[daman455789]

Question, could i apply the thermal paste without removing the Backup battery sources? And if if i had to remove ALL battery, what settings would be lost if i remove the backup also

[daman455789]

@mycomputerguide

[mttogo]

I have a couple of questions for you;

-How hot can the PC get before the mother board is fried?

-what is a normal temp for Gt555m?

-and what is normal temp for the i7?

[jamesporter0788]

@mttogo The i7 will throttle @ 100C. My GT555m gets to 70C max gaming but I believe throttles at 77-78C (not 100%). They throttle to provide a safety buffer (i7 can go to 120C I think).

I would recommend replacing the CPU/GPU paste if either get to within 3-5C of those figures - not to stop them breaking but when they throttle you lose gaming performance and the temp of one component can effect the other.

[mttogo]

@jamesporter0788 Thanks for help

[dr0wsaPP]

@mycomputerguide i know this sounds stupid. but then what the 3rd tool. i heard philip screwdriver a flat head and?

[mttogo]

URGENT: How far do i have to go to take my screen off?

[MyComputerguide]

@mttogo You don't have to remove it! you'll have the screen attached to the body.

[mttogo]

@MyComputerguide what? so i dont have to remove anything else, the screen is its own piece?

[MyComputerguide]

@mttogo No i meant that when you get to the point when you're at the mobo and the shell you can leave the screen attached to the shell when removing the mobo.

[mttogo]

@MyComputerguide cheers

[delgadoii]

wow... had not see an AlienWare laptop's Guts before pretty impressive!!... thanks for the info very well made video as well.

SUN-BLESS

[MyComputerguide]

@delgadoii Thanks! I appreciate the honest feedback.

[cashjoao]

Any advice for the famous 7 beeps and what causes it ? or maybe a fix if poss :) thx btw got the famous 7 beeps laptop is 10 days old .. as of today ///

SOB won't turn on just 7 beeps . never bumped taken care of MINT .... just all of a sudden wont boot just 7 beeps ...

Called tech support have to send in , guess i'll get it back in 12 days .. but i'd like to know how to fix myself when warr runs out in a yr // thanks

[MyComputerguide]

@cashjoao Did you ever have access to the system OS? or did you use it and then out of nowhere it happened? You can try to re-seat the ram that might be a cause of it. Dell doesn't build the perfect systems all the time...or should i say most of the time. lol anyway check that out using this video as a guide. if you need more help please lmk! :) you can also try to hold the power button down while its beeping. i get those beeps when i change out the processor or when the ram isn't sitting well.

[cashjoao]

@MyComputerguide: No would not even boot to the OS (win764bit) was using it worked fine for 10 days,plays all the latest games great,thinking maybe it got hot gpu or cpu burned out from playing BF3 or CODMW or Batman AC. all was working then shut it off,woke up,went to turn it on(sitting on a table)treated it like it was gold :)and it just started beeping 7 times no os and nothing but black screen, holding the button only shuts it off , tried to on many times same thing

[cashjoao]

@MyComputerguide plus i even had a usb cooling pad under it the whole time i used it. so i dont see how i over heated it, i know the GPu and CPU still gets hot playing high graphic games thou .. if not for the warr i'd go a CPU tonite for sure just so i would know if that was the part .. thx for the fast reply ... in your opinion do you believe it's the CPU or motherboard ? from ur experience and not a web search (i already did that ) lol

[cashjoao]

@MyComputerguide wont even boot to with F12 to Biso /cmos , ugh

[ujustwastedurtime]

theres two gpu's in mine theres the intel gpu and then the nvidia gpu. can i upgrade one or are they bot integrated

[MyComputerguide]

@ujustwastedurtime Yeah they are both integrated, so you can't upgrade.

[ujustwastedurtime]

@MyComputerguide dammit anyway thnks and nice vid

[MyComputerguide]

@ujustwastedurtime No Problem.

[MyComputerguide]

yes the power cable alone is fine without the battery.

[v3nin]

Awesome video. Please tell if you remove the battery, will the laptop still work if you connect it to the power cable?

[mttogo]

@v3nin yer

[thedaspasvlas]

@v3nin Yes it will :D

[Th3ViP3RsHuBHAM]

how many ram slot it has>

[MyComputerguide]

@Th3ViP3RsHuBHAM This system only has 2 ram slots

[TexasMILFHunter]

is there anyway you can change the GPU of the M14x??????

[MyComputerguide]

@TexasMILFHunter The GPU CAN'T be upgraded... sorry in part of Dell lol

[mcvaneracer]

Can you change the processor?

[MyComputerguide]

@mcvaneracer Yes you can but you can't change the GPU, its integrated.

[MyComputerguide]

@Sean9039 Sorry but there is no other way to apply the compound to the cpu+gpu

if there is lmk! =] there is a big risk with great results. just make sure you have all the tools

[quicksilv3r1984]

woohoo tks bro for video.

[MyComputerguide]

@quicksilv3r1984 NP! =]

[aptsys]

You realise that the bubble wrap won't protect against static? The pink stuff is only used because it cannot build up static like normal bubble wrap. You want conductive matting and a wrist strap if you're bothered about following anti-static precautions.

[MyComputerguide]

@aptsys That's not why we have the bubble wrap, we have that to protect the laptop from being scratched. thanks for your concern! haha

[aptsys]

@MyComputerguide Cool. Didn't want people being mislead :)

[MyComputerguide]

@aptsys Yeah, the laptops we work with are spankin' new, we wouldn't want to scratch them or have markings on them.

[blackbeatlezeppeler]

Also, I know that it's integrated, but I know a lot of computer engineers... would that help?

[blackbeatlezeppeler]

Can you replace the GPU as well, just like you replaced the CPU? Maybe in like 2 years when there are m14x r2 with better video cards which I can purchase separately.Please reply.

[Cr3scentW0lf]

I would do this but the repaste would void warranty :(((((((

[11111maximus11111]

@ MyComputerguide I have a M14x with i7 qm2860.....can i use 1866 mhz card or do i have to use the 1600 mhz? thank you.......you are freakin awsome!

[MyComputerguide]

@11111maximus11111 Do you mean 1866Mhz ram? since you have your 2860QM its possible to do that upgrade. either 1866mhz or 1600mhz and i recommend that you use IC DIAMOND THERMAL COMPOUND if not then go with artic silver 5

[11111maximus11111]

@MyComputerguide  thank you....IC diamond it is...thanks to your video here i know how to do it

[Cr3scentW0lf]

Stupid question: What are the benefits of being in warranty for the m14x?

[MyComputerguide]

@Cr3scentW0lf Oh there are a lot of benefits...not necessarily at the moment but in time when something does happen to your system, then you'll know what the benefits are. you want to be covered no matter what. You dont want to be F-D when something does happen.

[Cr3scentW0lf]

@MyComputerguide

Thanks :) and what thermal paste/ compound do you recommend for the M14x OC'd?

[MyComputerguide]

@Cr3scentW0lf I recommend that you use IC DIAMOND THERMAL COMPOUND if not then go with Artic Silver 5

[Cr3scentW0lf]

@MyComputerguide

Thanks! Last question: is it worth getting the CM Storm SF-19 cooling pad? Or the CM NotePal U3?

[glukozians21]

sorry, I meant 63-70C on web browsing and idle time.

[glukozians21]

the thing is, I have 50-60C readings on my cpu during net surfing and idle time. When playing skyrim, I max at about 93-97C. the GPU chills at 85C MAX during skyrim. Is this normal for the m14x? I'm planning on re-pasting it, but do you think it's the best thing to do? Thanks!

[MyComputerguide]

@glukozians21 in your case the best thing to do is to re-paste asap!

[glukozians21]

can you please confirm that? :| Dell does not have tech support here in the Philippines and I cannot confirm it myself. please sir, I badly need a new thermal paste job.

[MyComputerguide]

@glukozians21 Well It does but there is no stickers on the system itself to determine that you have gone into it and something went wrong. they can't tell if you did or not so you'll be fine if you follow these steps correctly.

[glukozians21]

wouldn't this void the warranty?

[MyComputerguide]

@glukozians21 No i have sent systems in for repair even after i have opened them. This Doesn't void warranty as far as i know.

[fullauto200]

how do you know witch cpu thats fits. and is just a cpu you buy or you need to buy a special cpu for a laptop?

[Tripsy702]

Is there any risk in using a magnetic screwdriver when taking apart a laptop? can it cause damage to the hardware??

[MyComputerguide]

@Tripsy702 We aren't exactly sure if it causes any internal issues with the hardware but as long as I've been using a magnetic screw driver, nothing has been harmed so far, so my answer would be"Yes its safe" Lol

[Tripsy702]

@MyComputerguide thank you for the reply.

[3mariusx]

oh great dell scrued this lap up too. wtf chip not card (video). very bad decision, and wheres the lpvely easy to clean fan m15x design. to bad cuz it looks good over all. thx a lot for this video.

[MyComputerguide]

@3mariusx I know i agree with you, Dell is horrible.

[h4x0r12345]

Where can i buy the killer wireless card? Will the version with 3 wireless antennas work on this?

[twistedmetalplayer21]

@h4x0r12345 no 2

[SoPhisTaMaCaTed]

Is there really a "best" thermal paste or would any do a good job?

[MyComputerguide]

@SoPhisTaMaCaTed I mean any paste would do but this is recommended if you're going to put it under a lot of stress. I recommend that gamers use this thermal paste but it doesn't mean you have to.

[lujosh87]

so if i get this laptop with the default intel wireless, it only comes with two antennas? if i get it with the killer 1103, then it comes with three antennas? if you get it with the default intel wireless then you can only upgrade to the killer 1102? thanks.

[MyComputerguide]

@lujosh87 Yea its basically only going to offer the 2x2 (1102) instead of the 3x3 (1103) i think that if you order the 1103 they still give you the 1102, not exactly sure. because it only comes equipped with 2 antennas. BOO!

[TheCatfishBlues]

Hey man thanks for the video, especially the cpu part! I was thinking about buying something from hideevolution too, im from germany, but import taxes suck!

[MyComputerguide]

@TheCatfishBlues I know taxes suck anywhere. lol Good luck! =]

[Marq014]

I just want to clean the fan what should I do?

[MyComputerguide]

@Marq014 You would need to go all the way into the laptop but you don't take off the heat sink just the fan. cause then you would have to re-paste it with thermal paste. good luck!

[Marq014]

@MyComputerguide there is no other way to remove the fan without having to disassemble the whole laptop?

[MyComputerguide]

@Marq014 Not really...its safe this way. you don't wanna break anything.

[TacticalcrafT]

Where can I get an i7 2960XM proccesor ? 

[MyComputerguide]

@TacticalcrafT I think I heard that Dell/Alienware had first dibs on it. Not sure exactly where you can get a good deal other then ordering a custom built laptop. If you are interested go to hidevolution(Dot)com

for a better look! =]

[123thepyro123]

Thanks dude. Didn't think it was possible to replace/upgrade the processor.

I'm buying a M14x soon, so for now I think I'll stick to the 2GHz i7 and maybe upgrade later :)

[MyComputerguide]

@123thepyro123 Just refer back to this tutorial and you'll be fine. if you have any questions please feel free to ask. and visit our website if you are interested in buying! =]

[123thepyro123]

@MyComputerguide

What kind of processor socket do you have to use?

[MyComputerguide]

Thanks and your welcome! we will be posting more on alienware even some asus! stay tuned!!!!

[Xxd3cayxX]

Thanks for the upload man, you really look like you know what you're doing. I just splashed/spilled a little coffee on my keyboard today on my m14x. It looks like the keyboard base might have stopped it from reaching the internal components. I immediately shut down, used some duster to get the remaining liquid drops out under the keyboard and wiped clean. Waited 20min and everything seems great now; just like normal. Sound about right?

[Feircejaguar]

@Xxd3cayxX Same happened to me, well almost, only difference was my cat liking the heat from the keyboard and so thought it would be the best place to relieve herself on... This guide came pretty useful. A couple of questions though: Is the GPU removable and what processor did you install again? A 2960XM? How well is it running? Heat? Performance?

[Xxd3cayxX]

@Feircejaguar WOW! That's outrageous! Luckily I was lucky it was black coffee (no sugar) and I just splashed it, so I sucked it up with a napkin and duster quickly. I'm almost sure the GPU is 100% "non-upgradable" because it should be soldered into the MOBO. Yeah, he said XM2960 which, I have the 2820 i7, and that get's HOT - talking 95 and UP when 100% load gaming, I could only imagine the 2960 is hotter.....

[MyComputerguide]

@Xxd3cayxX Yes you're right the graphics are intergraded! thanks for pointing that out...we forgot to mention that. but 3GB is really good for video graphics. the bad is that u are stuck with that for the rest of the life of the laptop. if you need help with anything pls let us know how we can help!

[MyComputerguide]

@Feircejaguar The performance is amazing along with the SSD and the i7 2960XM installed! as long as you let those vents flow the heat will move along but be very carefull not to cover any breathing holes. you dont want it to over heat. although it has a very good cooling system!