Dell XPS M1330.. Can I upgrade the Graphics Card?

Hello to everyone in the forum.

I know my question is about a quite old laptop, I hope there is anyone who can help me.

I'm thinking of buying a second-hand M1330 laptop from a friend, it's in a very low price, just so that I have something portable to work with..

I was wondering if I could upgrade the GPU. I fear that I may have problems with just 128MB. I don't intend to play games or something like that, but I may need to work on some CAD software (only in case of emergency). So if there is the possibility to upgrade to 256MB or even 512MB, I believe I would feel a lot more comfortable..

And something else. I've run into way too many complaints about this specific laptop. Overheating issues, hardware failures.. Is it really that bad? Or is it that pleased owners just don't publish their opinion?

Thank you in advance..

 

No you cannot upgrade the GPU. please realise that this notebook is quite outdated and it does suffer quite badly from overheating issues for all users.

 

The nVidia GeForce 8x00 are known for running hot and breaking down.

 

With that said, I have this same laptop with the 8400 128mb card, and have run lots of CAD software well, including Solid Edge, Solid Works, etc. so you shouldn't worry too much about this card running CAD

 

And you too are having serious overheating issues?

 

luck of the draw... I have an m1530 (same line, 15inch version) and, although the 8600 does run quite hot when you're pushing it (I've had it overclocked for years) it's still going strong...

tbh you can pick up laptops which surpass this now with an i3 or i5 for around the £300 mark so I doubt it's really worth buying this off your friend unless you're basically getting it for £50

 

I've considered that option too. I've checked the local market, the cheapest laptop with an i3 processor is at around 385£.. I don't want to give that much, cause I don't really need it right now. I mean, I don't really need the portability in everyday use, but I could use it occasionally. So I thought it may be a chance to get something a bit older quite cheap and if at some point I need a more powerful laptop, I would buy it then cheaper (and probably something newer)..

Anyway, I was thinking of proposing around £130 to my friend. He told me I'm free to test it and return it if I'm not satisfied..

 

No, I haven't had any serious issues since my motherboard was replaced 2 years ago. I have copper-modded this new motherboard, and don't do any gaming; haven't had any problems since 2 years ago (but to be honest I'm halfway expecting the NVIDIA to fail any day now)