XPS 1330 Graphics card question

Hey everyone, I'm new here and have been reading up on the problem with the 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS video card. I recently purchased a M1330 and it is currently being built. I will not be using it for gaming at all, just the occasional video lecture. My school recommended that I have atleast a 128 MB graphics card so i chose this card as an upgrade over the integrated card. Did I screw up badly? SHould I call and change my order? Or is this problem only applicable to those that game heavily?

TIA

 

Your school knows little to nothing about what is required for classes. The X3100 would be fine, and you would enjoy better battery life, if you don't game.

 

Well it's for medical school, and I can only assume that they recommended that for any online lectures/programs. Does the X3100 have any dedicated memory, or does it just share? Also I called Dell and asked them about this and they said that beginning july 5 they began using a different motherboard so that this problem would be avoided.

 

u will be fine. the problems only happens to a few people. u don't see laptop exploding everywhere do u? ur overreacting. besides, if u don't game, the gpu won't under any stress at all.

 

The real answer is, it depends on who you want to believe. There are currently 2 suggested causes of the 8400M failures:

1) faulty die used in production and now replaced (this is cited from an SEC filing by Forte)

2) substrate/bonding process issues in chip production (this is cited by several sources, including the sometimes controverial Inquirer ( http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/09/nvidia-g84-g86-bad))

IF the problem turns out to be the first, then you shouldn't have hardware failure problems more than normal.

If the problem is the second, all of the chips built using this process will be affected, and its just a matter of time before you need to call up Dell for repairs. The bonding issue will be seen with temperature cycling of the chip, even if the temperature of the chip remains in its lower range (because you aren't gaming). So, every time you turn your laptop on/off, or use it unplugged, it will be temperature cycling and pushing toward failure. Now, before you run off scared, this is a fairly common graphics chip right now, so even if you go to HP you may have this problem. It is a problem caused by nVidia, not Dell, and any manufacturer using the affected chips is likely having problems.

To answer your question, If you are using this computer at school it probably won't be a big problem. Anyway in a few years you will want a new laptop, and it is likely that you will be replacing this laptop before the failure occurs. HOWEVER, regardless of what computer you buy, it is prudent to backup your necessary files on a regular basis so that if a failure occurs you can still get your assignments completed (even if it is in a computer lab). Any computer can have a hardware failure, this is not a unique problem to the laptop you purchased at all.

 

nice explanation but i seriously doubt that rly makes anyone feel better about their expensive laptop purchase right now.

 

holy crap i just read the latest article by the inquirer and it's scared the bejesus out of me. I reallly don't want to be one of the unlucky few that have this problem. Are you guys saying that by downgrading to the integrated intel card, I will not have the crashing problem or the increased fan use problem (with the new BIOS)?

 

Correct. I just did it. Don't expect them to lower the price though by downgrading to the X3100. THey are fanagling there packagesin a very evil way right now.

 

Well I called again and they said if I was to change it would be delayed a month. I also got numerous reassurances that the motherboard had been changed to avoid the problem. I already have a 3 year warranty on it, I think i'll just ride it out and get a 4th year if necessary. I also don't think i'll update the BIOS if it means an incessant fan. BTW, do any of you guys know if the 1395 802.11g wireless card will pick up the 'a' band. I know it's archaic, but apparently I need it and it wasn't an option when I was building.

Here's my specs and price, do you guys think I made out alright?

XPS M1330#153; (PRODUCT) RED#153;, Intel C2D T5750 (2.0GHz, 667Mhz, 2M L2 Cache)
3GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm
13.3 inch Wide Screen WXGA TL CCFL Backlit LCD with 2.0MP Camera, 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS, for XPS M1330
160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive for XPS M1330
Dell Travel ExpressCard Remote Control, IR
8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive for XPSM1330
Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for XPS M1330
3 Year Limited Warranty
DataSafe Online 20GB for Dim/Ins/XPS (1yr)
PC tune up (1yr)
Dell Wirless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0+EDR)

$1250 Shipped.

 

Its just the nature of physical objects, they break/wear-out/etc. Compared to the OP's med school tuition the laptop is cheap and expendable. Always backing up data is a good habit to be in and these types of hardware issues should reiterate that more than anything else.

Also, I have asked Forte to cite her reference, if it turns out to be a die problem, it was probably fixed already (and therefore this stress is misplaced).

 

Hello!

My M1330 does support the a band. It shows up there in the driver settings. Don't know how well it works though! But I think you'll be fine.

Cheers

Matthias

 

Thanks Matze. Anyone else want to chime in on the price/specs?

 

I personally wouldn't worry 'bout going with the 8400 graphics card.

The m1330 has in home/office repair. At worst, you'll need to call Dell and let them know your GPU failed, and they send a tech to your home/office the next business day and replace it.

Yeah, it's a minor hassle, but come on... it is NOT the end of the world, and I, personally, wouldn't downgrade my GPU just in the off chance the 8400 may develope an issue.

My two cents, but keep things in perspective (esp. if you're going to have a 3 or 4 year warranty!)