Chosen Solution

Hi, The following is just my personal opinion.

  1. If you don’t like Win 10 then stick with Win 7. Win 10 is the result of all the improvements that were first attempted with the introduction of Win 8. Most of the problems in Win 8 were resolved and Win 10 is the result. It also has better built in security than any previous Win OS. You need also to bear in mind that support for Win 7 ends in 2020, Win 8.1 ends in 2023 and for Win 10 it is 2025. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help…
  2. Installing a SSD will definitely improve the performance of any PC. Use the SSD for the OSs and a large capacity HDD for storage.
  3. With regard to all the other suggested performance improvements by hardware upgrades, it becomes a cost /benefit decision. Is it better to spend the money on hardware which pushes the motherboard to its limits and which in the end may cost nearly as much as a new laptop which has better performance and features or buy the new laptop. Ultimately it all comes back to the motherboard and what it can stably support. It will become too frustrating if it is pushed too far and is not running smoothly just so that the performance is fractionally better. You probably already have this but here is a link to the service manual for your laptop which you may find useful. http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-pr…

Best upgrades: I have owned this model since new 2010. Still doing awesome! CPU: Intel I7 920XM or 940XM is best choice, can use Throttlestop program and clock up to 3.6Ghz on all 4 cores safely. GPU: Nvidia GTX 980M is technically last top card for this model, but needs modifying for peak performance and most importantly to run cool: svl7/johnksss vbios (Prema vbios will make it run too hot), 1 x copper shim during install, and dual power supply’s as its very power hungry. GTX 970M would be considered top card without all the 980M necessary mods, and is 85-90% of its performance, runs cool, and is very over clockable. GTX 680M can be found for a little less $ and still excellent at current games. Need to modify .ini file to install any of these 3 cards (not too difficult). Last supported Dell/AW card was 460M without needing to modify. Memory: 16G is max, and is not a myth, Crucial Ballistic is excellent (will down clock to 1333mhz). Will not display in BIOS but will be recognized in Windows. Wi-Fi card: Killer-Wireless card was an option new, better than stock. Display: Can upgrade to FHD (1080p) screen from stock HD+ (1600x900). Power Supply: Upgrade to Delta (Dell) 240W power supply, and buy L adapter and remove center pin only on adapter, allowing more voltage to power upgraded GPU (GTX 680M - 970M). Dual 240W x 2 will be needed for 980M. Battery: Try to find original optional 9 cell battery, it’s harder than finding 6 cell, but it’s bigger and raises the rear bottom of laptop to allow for better cooling. Purchase good thermal pastes for CPU and GPU chips like Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut or Gelid GC-Extreme. Purchase good thermal pads for CPU AND GPU memory chips, Arctic Cool is excellent. ^^^^Can find all these parts on Ebay, just have to search and be patient, hardest item to find is original 9 cell battery. GTX 980M $400 and up, GTX 970M $300 and up, GTX 680M can be found for $250 or less. Download Throttlestop, and MSI Afterburner or Nvidia Inspector to overclock GPU and CPU. Search on website notebookreview.com under M15x thread to search all info and communicate with other M15x owners. Enjoy!

Hi. I’m new on this FQ. I had m15x. Already i upgrade disk on SSA Adata 250GB and i want chance a GPU. its possible to but a card (min 4 GB) what i just can plug them install drivers and it will work ? I will need them buy a more powerfull power supply? I hear a lot about upgrade GPU bios. I’m not a specialist with laptops :/ On YT a few guys just change a GPU them instal a drivers and it work. It that easy ?

hi , just wondering if there are better fans to fit to the m15x 2011 model as i would be keen on doing that gpu upgrade once i had better fans

Hello, I’m still using my m15x. It runs fine just a little slow. I was wondering if all these upgrades mentioned above are still the top upgrades for this computer in 2021? Thanks everyone

Eh, tinkering is fun though. Just upgraded mine from i3 370 to i7 - 840qm 4 to 8gbs of ram - 1tb SSD and currently trying to decide which MXM GPU to upgrade to. Thinking 970m of course, but it may be possible to get a 1050 or even a 1060 working in this machine according to one Reddit thread.