i7 6500u - Did I hit a brickwall?

[hoax32]

Hey geeks.
I purchased a top of the line Alienware 13R2.
Fully loaded.

From the default i5 5200u to a i7 6500u.
From the default 8GB to 32GB Crucial Low Latency.
From the default HDD to a twin SSD setup.
From the default 2GB GTX 960M to a 4GB GDDR5 GTX 965M

I have 2 questions.
I am unable to find a clear answer on if the 13R2 has a removable CPU or not.
Because its an ULV CPU it makes me believe that it is directly soldered onto the system board.
- However on the other hand it does not sound economical for Alienware to make 4 different CPU-GPU system board combinations for the 13R2 which is their lowest demand model.

Question #2:
I have the Alienware Graphics amplifier and am considering getting an external GTX 1080.
What SLI/CUDA opportunities would I benefit from by combining that with my GTX 965M?
I do not know too much about SLI (multi GPU) or CUDA (GPU load assistance) or if it works with such a set up.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[P4-630]

I don't think the CPU is removable:

http://ark.intel.com/products/88194/Intel-Core-i7-6500U-Processor-4M-Cache-up-to-3_10-GHz

 

[newtekie1]

I am unable to find a clear answer on if the 13R2 has a removable CPU or not.
Because its an ULV CPU it makes me believe that it is directly soldered onto the system board.
- However on the other hand it does not sound economical for Alienware to make 4 different CPU-GPU system board combinations for the 13R2 which is their lowest demand model.

BGA1356 = Soldered

What SLI/CUDA opportunities would I benefit from by combining that with my GTX 965M?

Nothing with SLI, because the GPUs have to be identical. Depending on the CUDA application, you might be able to use both GPUs at the same time, but how much CUDA work do you do?

You'll also be able to use DX12 Multi-GPU with the two GPUs, but from what I've seen that is limited by the slowest card's performance, and I think just the single 1080 would be faster.

 

[P4-630]

Little strange that it comes with an U processor in the first place.

I purchased a top of the line Alienware 13R2.

Edit: Ok it's just 13".

 

[Bill_Bright]

Yep, FCBGA (Flip Chip Ball Grid Array) is one of Intel's "surface mount" packaging technologies. Just another downside (in terms of upgrade potentials) withnote notebooks. They help lower costs (no socket) and for notebooks, they lower heights to allow for a thinner case. They are no indication of quality, however. In fact, they make for a more robust (rugged) system, able to survive rougher knocks and bumps portable devices have to endure.

 

[silentbogo]

It is Dell/Alienware, so for them it is always cost-beneficial.
There are currently only two variants of the motherboard for 13-series:
- The one wiht i5-6200u
- The more expensive one with 6500u
Besides a different CPU, the boards are identical, so a few dollars in labor will definitely justify extra few hundred bucks in company's income.
So, no CPU swapping for you.

Question #2:
I have the Alienware Graphics amplifier and am considering getting an external GTX 1080.
What SLI/CUDA opportunities would I benefit from by combining that with my GTX 965M?
I do not know too much about SLI (multi GPU) or CUDA (GPU load assistance) or if it works with such a set up.

Do you really have that much money?
Not only you wasted over $2000 into a ridiculous 13" gaming laptop (especially if I mention 4K display), but you also have a $300 box, which will house a $650 GPU so you can plug it into a $400-$600 2K/4K display just so you can get your performance boost in games. Your CPU will probably bottleneck your system way before it could push that GTX1080 to its full potential.

 

[hoax32]

crap!
My CPU is a huge bottleneck!
My 4710 was OCable with XTU but this one isn't.
I know the CPU is the bottleneck because maxed out GTA 5 gives me the same ~40FPS as for example with no AA or shadows. Plus CPU maxes out on TM.
I am trying to find a way around my CPU bottleneck!
I expected a little more bang out of $2000 for a laptop especially with DEDICATED COOLING FOR EACH CHIP!

 

[hoax32]

It is Dell/Alienware, so for them it is always cost-beneficial.
There are currently only two variants of the motherboard for 13-series:
- The one wiht i5-6200u
- The more expensive one with 6500u
Besides a different CPU, the boards are identical, so a few dollars in labor will definitely justify extra few hundred bucks in company's income.
So, no CPU swapping for you.


Do you really have that much money?
Not only you wasted over $2000 into a ridiculous 13" gaming laptop (especially if I mention 4K display), but you also have a $300 box, which will house a $650 GPU so you can plug it into a $400-$600 2K/4K display just so you can get your performance boost in games. Your CPU will probably bottleneck your system way before it could push that GTX1080 to its full potential.

Thanks for the reply!
They AFAIK have 4 versions. i5-GTX960M - i5-GTX965M - i7GTX960M - i7GTX965M

 

[silentbogo]

Thanks for the reply!
They AFAIK have 4 versions. i5-GTX960M - i5-GTX965M - i7GTX960M - i7GTX965M

Those are MXM GPUs (plug-in, not soldered)

 

[hoax32]

Those are MXM GPUs (plug-in, not soldered)

ohhh wow!
So I can jump internally to say a GTX980M?

 

[hoax32]

It is funny how laptops went from removable CPU and hard soldered graphics chips to the other way around.

 

[cdawall]

You purchased a 13" laptop. You will have to give things up for them to fit parts into a 13" chassis and for reference the 960M is roughly as fast as a 750ti desktop.

 

[hoax32]

You purchased a 13" laptop. You will have to give things up for them to fit parts into a 13" chassis and for reference the 960M is roughly as fast as a 750ti desktop.

I do not have a GTX 960M.
And considering there are SIGNIFICANTLY faster processors out there in 13-14" laptops that are much thinner without dedicated copper cooling, I am disappointed.

 

[silentbogo]

I was wrong - it is soldered too.
Basically no upgrade options...

Forget about external GPU, just sell that Graphics Amplifier while it is still worth something, and buy a decent gaming desktop.
I'd probably make a return on that 13R2 too, if possible...

 

[hoax32]

I don't wanna return it! :'(
Its so sexy and portable!!!!
Y U NO PUT 4710 DELL TELL MUHH!!!

 

[arbiter]

U series mobile parts are designed to be very low power. IMO outside super slim laptops they are best to be avoided even more so in case of something for gaming. my dell has 6700HQ which is a full HT quad core, performance wise on cpu its about a 3770k. Back on to the cpu, less its a surface, tablet or ultra book. I wouldn't even consider a U series part.

 

[GhostRyder]

I don't wanna return it! :'(
Its so sexy and portable!!!!
Y U NO PUT 4710 DELL TELL MUHH!!!

The problem is in that profile they stuck with the low power processors, the "U" nomenclature is just a dual core four thread processor like a desktop i3.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834154297

Try something like that, 14inch laptop with protability, a better processors, and a nice GPU with thunderbolt. I would just get rid of the Alienware if I was you, I do love the look of them but for what your paying you can get a much better laptop.

 

[yotano211]

I have a 13 inch laptop in the form of a Clevo w230ss with a i7 4710qm and 860m. I use it for my business and playing games when I travel. I bought it for work and playing games, not to show it off. I'm sorry but Alienware's are nothing but show offs. I know because I've had 2 in the past, m17x and m18x r2. I got the m17 for a killer deal and the m18 was able to have 3 HDs slots.

All alienware laptops are now all soldered to the motherboard in the form of BGA. If anything small happens the entire motherboard will need replacing.

That processor will bottleneck a 1080 or even a 1070. Dont think that the "i7" name will be magic, its still a 15watt processor and dual core. Great for battery life and sucks for playing games.

You seem to be the perfect alienware customer, someone who wants flashy things and know nothing about laptops. Only a few years ago they where so much different, nowa days they have completely changed.

For question #2, I dont think it will work with SLI. You will have to call the alienware tech support for that.

 

[hoax32]

I have a 13 inch laptop in the form of a Clevo w230ss with a i7 4710qm and 860m. I use it for my business and playing games when I travel. I bought it for work and playing games, not to show it off. I'm sorry but Alienware's are nothing but show offs. I know because I've had 2 in the past, m17x and m18x r2. I got the m17 for a killer deal and the m18 was able to have 3 HDs slots.

All alienware laptops are now all soldered to the motherboard in the form of BGA. If anything small happens the entire motherboard will need replacing.

That processor will bottleneck a 1080 or even a 1070. Dont think that the "i7" name will be magic, its still a 15watt processor and dual core. Great for battery life and sucks for playing games.

You seem to be the perfect alienware customer, someone who wants flashy things and know nothing about laptops. Only a few years ago they where so much different, nowa days they have completely changed.

For question #2, I dont think it will work with SLI. You will have to call the alienware tech support for that.

Go back on my past posts and you will realize the I am coming from budget hardware.
I love the looks and feel of the computer.
One of the best I ever had the pleasure of owning next to the many ThinkPads I have had.
The CPU is quick and the sole purpose of this post is to see if I can do anything about the processor (which has been answered).
Yeah I agree its overpriced but I wanted something with a 13" screen and a 4GB GTX965M that gets me 40FPS+ maxed on many AAA titles
on 13" is worth it. I have no buyers remorse.

 

[alucasa]

I've used from budget laptops to premium laptops like Alienware.

Clevo is a far, faaaar, superior in terms of both quality and performance. It does not have the flashy stuff though. The biggest advantage of Clevo/Sager is its customization options and an ability to add 2 or 3 HDDs.
It used to be cheaper. It's gottan a little expensive nowadays though. Still, a lot cheaper than Alienware.

 

[hoax32]

Yeah expensive as shit is right!
Still the fastest option for 13"

 

[silentbogo]

Yeah expensive as shit is right!
Still the fastest option for 13"

Still not the best purchase. I'd rather wait for an updated 14" Asus ROG or Lenovo Y700-series with Pascal or Polaris GPU, and a more appropriate FullHD screen.
You may save enough money for a gaming desktop with that.

BTW, this is the most powerful 13" laptop of the current gen:
http://www.aorus.com/Product/Spec/X3 Plus v6

Not only you get a GTX1060 out of the box, but also a real-deal i7-6820HQ, and 2x M.2 slots.

Couldn't find a retailer with this model, but Newegg has some open-box older models of X3:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100167732 50097588 600553906

Still expensive, but much better and faster than Alienware crap.

 

[hoax32]

Thats a larger screen, lenght and width.

 

[silentbogo]

Thats a larger screen, lenght and width.

But more viable as a gaming laptop.

 

[hoax32]

But more viable as a gaming laptop.

you are correct