DIY Graphics Module
Alienware freely allow the end user to swap graphics modules they've purchased, in the Area51-m. It's not a groundbreaking advancement; Dell is the other notable proponent of swappable GPU modules in its portables, but Alienware, with their work with Uniwill in developing their own implementation, are understandably proud.Let's examine the modules that shipped with the review system: a Mobile Radeon 9600 PRO 128MB and an NVIDIA GeForce Go5700 128MB.
The module packaging is obviously common to both, so I'll just show photographs from the Radeon module to get a handle on appearance.
The modules come packaged in a neat plastic clamshell, with a soft neoprene resting surface underneath, to prevent damage during transit. It keeps the module snug.
Out of the clamshell, you can see the fan power supply wire, for plugging into a connector that's exposed when you remove an existing module.
Flipping it over, you can see the fan connector more clearly, along with a metal shroud that protects the PCB underneath. Two small screws reveal its contents.
Four memory chips on the back side of the PCB, poking through an anti-static sticky peel sheet. There are eight in total, giving 128MB of memory.
They are Infineon's HYB25D128323C-3.0 DRAMs, 4Mx32, 333MHz rated.
