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    IS it possible to upgrade the Inspiron 6400 / E1505' video card?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by bundy5000, Apr 25, 2007.

  1. bundy5000

    bundy5000 Notebook Guru

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    I was just curious since i JUST purchased one and hope it will last for awhile
     
    bundy5000, Apr 25, 2007
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  2. Sleepy_Sentry

    Sleepy_Sentry Notebook Enthusiast

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    Probably not.

    You may be interested in the Asus XG Station that's coming out soon. It's the world's first true external GPU. It's basically a Geforce 7900 GS with a PCI-E to ExpressCard adapter.
     
    Sleepy_Sentry, Apr 25, 2007
    #2
  3. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Please read the GPU Guide if you want more info...but here's the deal...
    If you own the integrated (Intel) GPU laptop, then you can never upgrade the card.
    If you have some other card, you can only upgrade if:
    1) Dell offers the E1505 with that wanted card...
    2) Dell sells the part or you can acquire it from eBay...

    You will not be able to find a card from anywhere or anyone else as the Dell GPU's use a Dell-specific design and interface that no one else is allowed to manufacture.

    EDIT: The XG Station required that you also have an external monitor, and the ExpressCard interface is not a true PCIe16 connection...it is only PCIe1, which basically means the card is going to be performance bottlenecked and will not work as well. We don't know how well it will perform until it is released...but it is not supposed to be offered through retail channels, so good luck finding one.

    Bottom line: definitely do not count on an upgrade...
     
    Greg, Apr 25, 2007
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  4. bundy5000

    bundy5000 Notebook Guru

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    sorry i needed to be more specific, i got the 256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400 HyperMemoryMedia
     
    bundy5000, Apr 25, 2007
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  5. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Well, then you have got the best that Dell currently offers. Keep an eye out on the E1505 as Santa Rosa and DX10 are released into the wild market, as Dell might upgrade the notebook to use newer parts. But again, it most likely isn't going to happen.
     
    Greg, Apr 25, 2007
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  6. PuppetMaster2501

    PuppetMaster2501 Notebook Consultant

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    I'm keeping my fingers cross cuz i am in the same boat as you are. :)

    X1400 is great, but I need something with more juice... say, maybe an x1700? Common Dell, I know you can do it!
     
    PuppetMaster2501, Apr 26, 2007
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  7. lyter

    lyter Notebook Enthusiast

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    i doubt santa rosa will have an effect on inspiron line in the near future ( within next 6 months).
     
    lyter, Apr 26, 2007
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