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    Upgrading the graphics card

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by IamPullied, Aug 9, 2008.

  1. IamPullied

    IamPullied Newbie

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    okay, today i just bought an xps x1330 from my buddy. It has the integrated graphics x3100 and what i want to do is upgrade it to the nvidia 8400m (what they offer from dell), does anyone know where i can buy an nvidia 8400m card? can i do it myself? is there a difference in motherboards between the integrated and dedicated graphics? btw this is my first post, so hi all! ;)
     
    IamPullied, Aug 9, 2008
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  2. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Andy, Aug 9, 2008
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  3. mr__bean

    mr__bean Notebook Evangelist

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    You might be able to contact Dell and order it from them, but im not entirely sure the 8400 is a dedicated card, as in when you order it from dell they might have 2 different motherboards one for the 8400 and one for the X3100 :/ try contacting the dell web support if they have one (cant remember) as phone support is usualy next to useless as half the time it is sent to a call center which is full of under-trained staff
     
    mr__bean, Aug 9, 2008
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  4. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    Not only is it a different motherboard, the entire bottom chassis is different, so you'd have to buy a whole new base. You may find someone who will trade you in one of the topics in my sig (pssst, PM jwzimm)
     
    Hep!, Aug 9, 2008
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  5. IamPullied

    IamPullied Newbie

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    :) hey, tnx for the replys, and thanks for the link to the upgrades on igp's, i have another question.. is it a monumental task to.. change out the motherboards for a dedicated card and get a new bottom case... ? is it worth it, im playing WoW, CS 1.6, I want to play CS:S, HL2, COD4... it's fine if i can't won't kill me.. but thanks for all the input
     
    IamPullied, Aug 11, 2008
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  6. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Do you want to spend another $500-800 and have to rebuild your laptop?
     
    Greg, Aug 11, 2008
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  7. phaaam

    phaaam Notebook Consultant

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    If you really want to, you should probably get a professional to do it. As the problem isn't exactly the cost of the components, but putting it back (if you're new to it) will get you. You'd have to unhook everything, keep track of the screws, and remember where to put the plugs back in. Trust me, I tried it and it was very confusing. Good thing I was planning to sell for parts.
     
    phaaam, Aug 11, 2008
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  8. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    You can get the full bottom assembly (with nVidia motherboard) off ebay for like 200 bucks. Plus rebuilding a laptop is fun*!






    *I am one of the professionals phaaam is talking about, my opinion of fun may be skewed.
     
    Hep!, Aug 11, 2008
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