The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Inspiron 1721 graphics question

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by inspiron1721lappy, Aug 8, 2009.

  1. inspiron1721lappy

    inspiron1721lappy Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I purchased a laptop that goes by the name of Dell Inspiron 1721. I purchased it over two years ago! So far it has been a great laptop. Great job Dell =). But I recently got into gaming and I noticed that the graphics card is not up to par for some of the games that demand high end video cards. So the idea popped into my head that I should replace my graphics card (GPU for short). I used trusty old google to see if it can be done on a laptop and I found a large quantity of lads saying that it can be done on my particular lapotp while others were saying that it is impossible. So I wanted to nip this problem of mine in the butt and findout by myself. I found this forum that is said to be the number one laptop forums on the World Wide Web and I registered an account with my email address so I can do so.
    Q: So is replacing the graphics card on the Dell Inspiron 1721 possible?

    Extra Information...
    Graphics card- ATI 1250

    Thank you in advance,
    Benjamin
     
    inspiron1721lappy, Aug 8, 2009
    #1
  2. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

    Reputations:
    2,962
    Messages:
    8,231
    Likes Received:
    63
    Trophy Points:
    216
    You can replace the GPU on an Inspiron 1720 give that you originally had discrete graphics, but I do not believe that the 1721 ever shipped with discrete graphics. Thus, I don't think you can replace the GPU on an Inspiron 1721; the GPU is an IGP that's built into the NB. Short answer: no.
     
    Commander Wolf, Aug 8, 2009
    #2
  3. inspiron1721lappy

    inspiron1721lappy Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    well i read somewhere that if u have a pci express slot u can add a new grpahics card and my laptop has that so???
     
    inspiron1721lappy, Aug 8, 2009
    #3
  4. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

    Reputations:
    2,962
    Messages:
    8,231
    Likes Received:
    63
    Trophy Points:
    216
    As far as I know, there are no mini PCIE graphics cards for laptops. Period. There are external graphics cards that utilize the PCIE component of the ExpressCard interface, but I don't know how available or compatible these things are. Answer's still no.
     
    Commander Wolf, Aug 8, 2009
    #4
  5. Fragilexx

    Fragilexx Get'cha head in the game

    Reputations:
    513
    Messages:
    2,369
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Do a google search for ViDock; I believe that is the expresscard external graphics solution. There are also threads about it within this forum.

    It's obscenely expensive.
     
    Fragilexx, Aug 8, 2009
    #5
  6. inspiron1721lappy

    inspiron1721lappy Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I found a new driver for my graphics card which is actually ati x1270 and it runs better. But i was wondering if i would upgrade to 4gb ram would i see better performance in games???
     
    inspiron1721lappy, Aug 8, 2009
    #6
  7. xxbadboys93

    xxbadboys93 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    89
    Messages:
    913
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I dont believe the x1270 is integrated? IF its not then you may be able to switch it out.
     
    xxbadboys93, Aug 8, 2009
    #7
  8. SomeFormOFhuman

    SomeFormOFhuman has the dumbest username.

    Reputations:
    1,037
    Messages:
    1,012
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Unlike the Vostro 1700 and Inspiron 1720, the 1721 uses an IGP ATI card and thus not removable. Source: http://support.ap.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1721/en/sm/graphics.htm#wp1179839

    Quote: NOTE: The graphics card assembly is available only on the Vostro 1700 (standard) and the Inspiron 1720 (optional).

    There is no mention of the 1721 in this case. I shall presume the ATI X1270 is an IGP.

    4GB RAM won't give you any increase in gaming performance and, or probably a very minute and mild increase. Your card itself is the bottleneck and it'll always be.
     
    SomeFormOFhuman, Aug 8, 2009
    #8