Alienware Graphics Amplifier - Video Card at PCIe 3.0 4x

[Synomenon]

Ok so I've found that the Alienware Graphics Amplifer is connected via PCIe 3.0 4x. If the laptop has a GTX 980M, what video card can I put in the Graphics Amplifer that will still outperform the 980M when running at PCIe 3.0 4x?

 

[NTMBK]

Any way to SLI it with a 970?

 

[Synomenon]

Don't know, haven't tried using it since I don't have a video card to put in it yet. I want to get one that will perform better than a 980M, even though it would only run at PCIe 3.0 4x.

 

[VirtualLarry]

What in the world is a "graphics amplifier"? Some Alienware term for a PCI-E M.2 slot?

 

[boozzer]

What in the world is a "graphics amplifier"? Some Alienware term for a PCI-E M.2 slot?

something like this. http://www.anandtech.com/show/8817/msi-announces-gs30-shadow-laptop-and-gpu-expansion-dock

not perfect but it is as good as it gets for people who wants desktop gpu powers in a laptop. and these docks still doesn't allows the full power of the desktop gpus.

 

[Synomenon]

What in the world is a "graphics amplifier"? Some Alienware term for a PCI-E M.2 slot?

External GPU box for Alienware laptops. Connection is through PCIe 3.0 x4.

 

[Lepton87]

SLI is not CF, it is very choosy about the cards you can run in SLI. 980M won't work in SLI with any card you can buy for that amplifier. 980M is GM204? That's pretty fast, I wouldn't bother with anything less than 980TI/FURY
ps. Unlike CF SLI needs a bridge, so it can't work even in theory

 

[Stuka87]

I am not sure you would see any performance issues with anything out today. At least, nothing noticeable. PCI-E 3.0 4x is equal to PCI-E 2.0 8x.

So you should not have any issues. As people that run SLI/CF end up with 8x speeds for their cards anyway.

PS: SLI will not work for you.

 

[Headfoot]

I wouldn't go lower than the 980 Ti. I also wouldn't go Fury or Fury X here as having a dual install of AMD and nVidia drivers is a huge headache and you already have an nVidia chip in the laptop. All signs point to 980 Ti

 

[VirtualLarry]

External GPU box for Alienware laptops. Connection is through PCIe 3.0 x4.

Neat, thanks!

 

[Synomenon]

Well, budget couldn't stretch for a 980TI so ended up getting a GTX970. Still on the way so I haven't had a chance to try it yet. Hopefully it performs close to on-par with the GTX980M.

 

[Headfoot]

A 970 isn't going to be all that much faster than a 980M. Not sure that's really worth it.