Opinions: Replace video card or buy new machine?

Here is my dilema...

My E1705 is about 2 years old.

It seems as though the video card (nvidia geoforce go 7800) is dead. I'm about 90% sure its the card and not something else.

Should I try to replace the video card with a used one (the ATI x1400's are going for about $70 plus shipping on ebay)?

Or should I bite the bullet and get a new machine altogether? (this time I would get the 3 yr warranty).

I'll kick myself if I try the used card and a) it doesnt work or b) it ends up dying in 6 months anyway.

 

Since its 2 years old I'd probably replace it and get a new one.

 

You'd be much happier with a new machine with all new parts.

 

if you got the money, the by all means upgrade. You'll probably get a slimer chasis, better design and better parts. But if your lappy is not slow and you are still happy with it, then an upgrade is going to save you big bucks...

 

Um, no offense, but in my opinion you guys aren't giving good advice. It's easy to always say "just buy a new one" but that's about as reasonable as telling everyone to get top-of-the-line stuff in their computer/laptop. As always, the most intelligent question is to find out what is best for the person asking the question.

If the laptop you have suits your needs and is otherwise functional, then certainly spending $70 rather than spending $2000 is preferable. Would it be more fun to own a new laptop? Sure. Do you happen to have $1930 extra laying around? If so, go nuts. If you were planning or thinking of buying a new laptop ANYWAY, then of course go for the new laptop. If you wanted to use it for the cutting-edge Crysis et al games, then new laptop. If you're word-processing, then old laptop.

Sheesh. Seriously, guys.

 

I would try and repair it first. What is the specific problem?

 

The specific problem is that on the laptop's lcd no display ever comes up at all (i.e. not even in safe mode) - nothing, black, blank.

If I connect to an external monitor, I can only get a display in safe mode.

I uninstalled and reinstalled the driver. No luck.

I can't even run Dell's diagnostic test - I get no beep codes whatsoever.

 

How about reinstalling windows?

 

If you are getting some sort of picture out of the video out then your video card is producing an image. Where did you think that signal is coming from?

If it were me and I wanted a new one I would try to either fix the old one and ebay it or part it out on ebay and figure out from what I get for the old one what my budget is for the new unit

But your not me. Do what is reasonable and affordable to you.

 

Good points -I should try to reinstall windows as the next step. I'll start the process this weekend and keep everyone posted.

 

With the current price of the XPS M1530 (about $900) due to special deals, get a new one.

 

Tried the reinstall - no luck. What does everyone think? Take a gamble on a used video card?

 

Unless money is no object, why not just fix your otherwise perfectly good notebook? Two years is hardly old! I had a video card go bung on an Inspiron, bought a second-hand one on ebay, installed it myself, and it was fixed. Even if I bought a new one later (which I did, a year or so later on), it was nice to have a spare notebook, in working order.

In short: if you were thinking of buying a new notebook anyway, then don't change your plans (but it is worth fixing the old one). If are only considering buying a new notebook because the video card has gone bung, just get a replacement video card...