1 Rookie
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3 Posts
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66
March 10th, 2026 07:34
17 R5, I want to upgrade my system
1) With a windows 11 compatibility
2) With a more recent GPU for intensive 3D work
3) Update the motherboard
Here's the configuration :-
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-8950HK CPU @ 2.90GHz 2.90 GHz
Installed RAM 32.0 GB (31.9 GB usable)
Storage 932 GB HDD HGST HTS721010A9E630, 466 GB SSD Samsung SSD 980 500GB
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (8 GB), Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630 (128 MB)
Device ID 0BFB7C91-2AF8-4474-A85A-568E8B9DE101
Product ID 00330-80000-00000-AA060
System Type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touch Pen support
ejn63
10 Elder
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30.8K Posts
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March 10th, 2026 13:56
The GPU is soldered to the mainboard. The only upgrade path is another Alienware 17R5 board, for which the options are below
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/alienware-17-r5/Alienware-17-R5-SetupSpecs/video?guid=guid-d1c92c9d-e860-4ba2-b52c-d609ce749843&lang=en-us
Anything more than that and it's new system time -- and even a replacement board won't come inexpensively. You would do better to consider either a new system or a used one of newer vintage.
ejn63
10 Elder
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30.8K Posts
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March 10th, 2026 10:58
That system will support Windows 11 as is. If you have all those goals, however, there is just one option - a new system. The one you have cannot be upgraded as you desire to do.
DELL-ChrisM2
Community Manager
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1.2K Posts
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March 10th, 2026 12:16
@user_c8b2ea
It would also help our users to know which specific Alienware Laptop model you have there.
user_c8b2ea
1 Rookie
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3 Posts
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March 10th, 2026 13:50
Alienware 17 R5
I'd like to upgrade the GPU and the motherboard so that it could handle a more recent CUDA extensive softwares , e.g ComfyUI
user_c8b2ea
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March 10th, 2026 15:19
thanks guys , it seems it's time to go for a new laptop !