How to Overclock an Alienware M14x (or any laptop with NVIDIA graphics)

First, you're going to need some tools. You will need a tool to change the frequency, and a tool to monitor temperatures. These are the tools I chose to use:
- nVidia System Tools (to overclock - also has monitoring app)
- GPU-Z (to monitor GPU temp/usage)
- Coretemp (to monitor CPU temp/usage/clock speed)

1. Install tools
2. Right click on desktop, then NVIDIA Control Panel
3. Go to the "Performance" tab, click on "Device Settings"
4. Adjust Graphics Clock and Memory Clock to desired specifications
4a. I set mine at 700 / 1080 and had no issues
4b. If you want to be sure of stability, run a benchmark suite such as Furmark and look for artifacts. Also, watch GPU-Z to see max temperature.
5. Profit

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• computer
• laptop
• ati
• nvidia
• overclock
• notebook
• gaming
• fast
• instructions
• diy
• how
• to
• core

[Gl1tchProductions]

@grumpybritishguy I don't have an answer for you but I do know that if you keep the room with your laptop in well ventilated and cool you can bring the temp down to around ~70c max.

[grumpybritishguy]

Hey I have a bit of confusion here. I have a m14x and I've been monitoring my cpu temps with these programs. I get temps around 90c max after awhile. But is that what I should be watching or is the graphics card the one that would overheat? Or both? Aye?

[FARKL3]

@asulikit11 i have a 460m not a 555m

[asulikit11]

@FARKL3 are you running it with the nvidia gt555m or the intel hd graphics?because the m14x can play Battlefield 3 on high settings without lag.

[FARKL3]

...shading takes a huge fps drop, shadpws dont) i want to get 40-50 fps consistantly

On bf3 and crysis at 1080p (even at all low i cant get it that high). My basic question is; is OC 100% safe and ok as long as the gpu does not gp above 90C. And i have a 2630qm i7 2.0-2.9 ghz. If i raises it to 2.2-3.1, is that ok? Whats a safe cpu temp?

[FARKL3]

What? My 460m in my asusg53 is always over 75 C!! It hit a high of 85C playing star craft 2 maxed at 1080p. And at over 40fps....

Bf3, skyrim, and crysis all run over 80C also. And my asus is supposed to have superior cooling. So if i did OC my 460m... Is it safe to OC it to as far as it would let me? If it doesnt get to 90C? i play bf3 with everything medium (textures and game effects ultra) and i get 30-45 fps at 1080p. And crysis with effects, shadows (shadows and shading are different, sha

[hsbinh1412]

@MrCaptainInternet

Making your hardware run with higher speed than it suppose to be

[X64Marduk]

@grumpybritishguy - No it's a dual-core and I'm not running an Alienware branded laptop. I believe from research that these new 2nd gen Intel Core i5/i7 mobile processors actually run around this temp so I'm not so worried any more. I went ahead and carefully overclocked my GT 555M and I've gained significant performance and the CPU temp only went up by a maximum of 1C. So I have personal experience now. The heat from the GPU can effect CPU heat in a lappy but is extremely minimal. :-)

[grumpybritishguy]

@X64Marduk got a question, is that with a quadcore? the m14x r1?

[link5000108]

@Gr4nter You cant? that might be my problem