What all can I upgrade

dpsht316 · 02-02-2012, 09:38 PM

My current setup is

i7 Q740 @ 1.73GHZ
4 GB ram
ATI Mobility Hadeon HD 5730
ST9250410AS Hard Drive

Could I please get some upgrade advice with links? please and thank you. I am currently about to add a second harddrive which will probably be a 1TB 5400 rpm drive 8MB cache.

JohnnyFlash · 02-02-2012, 10:08 PM

There are TONNES of threads on this topic.

i7 740QM >> 940XM $300-$400 on eBay

4 GB ram >> 16GB $180 Newegg

ATI Mobility Hadeon HD 5730 >> 6970m/6990m There's a sticky for that.

ST9250410AS Hard Drive >> SSD Take a look in the SSD section of the hardware forum.

What matters most is what do you use your machine for? What do you need to upgrade?

dpsht316 · 02-02-2012, 10:18 PM

I am currently using the laptop to play WoW college work run AutoCAD and other similar programs to AutoCAD

I thought the computer could only go up to 8GB RAM?

JohnnyFlash · 02-02-2012, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpsht316

I thought the computer could only go up to 8GB RAM?

It will take 16GB, it's been proven here.

For your uses, prioritizing the CPU and RAM is the probably the best option.

dpsht316 · 02-02-2012, 10:33 PM

Would it be best to upgrade the ram first since its the cheapest piece?

JohnnyFlash · 02-02-2012, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpsht316

Would it be best to upgrade the ram first since its the cheapest piece?

Do you find yourself running out of ram?

jameelassan · 02-03-2012, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlash

Do you find yourself running out of ram?

does it depend on what is he doing like gaming or graphic designing

JohnnyFlash · 02-03-2012, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jameelassan

does it depend on what is he doing like gaming or graphic designing

Right, he said he uses CAD programs. But if there's never a situation where he's pinning the RAM he currently has, then that isn't a priority to upgrade. In which case, the CPU would make much more of a difference.

katalin_2003 · 02-03-2012, 08:00 AM

Alternatively, you can check out the OP of the Owner's Lounge, it has many useful links.
Also, i know the search function is broken so here's an alternative:
Alienware General Information & HOW TO: Search the forum - *READ BEFORE POSTING*

Mexic00ls · 02-03-2012, 08:04 AM

Well if you want a visable increase in performance you should upgrade to an ssd or gpu, as a cpu xm performance wont be noticeable unless you overclock it. You have one of the weakest gpu available. To this day my favorite upgrade would be the ssd. You should also benefit from a ram upgrade since u run autocad, 8 gigs would be good unless your willing to dishout the cash for 16gigs