Upgrading Inspiron 1720 wifi, CPU and more?

I just inherited an Inspiron 1720 from my in-laws. As it turns out, it is a touch slower than my existing laptop, an Asus m50vm.

For several reasons, I am looking to see if I can use the Inspiron 1720 instead: multiple hard drive bays, the ability to use 6GB of RAM (thanks to those responsible for that info), the larger (and unscratched) screen, etc.

I am wanting to upgrade the wifi card to something with wireless N or better. I know what the officially sanctioned options are, but I am wondering if anyone has an opinion on what the best options are in terms of wireless performance (and obviously don't want to drop a ton on a machine this old) and compatibility, whether it is what Dell supports or not. The Asus has a Qualcom Atheros AR928X wifi card. Not sure if that is worth trying.

I would also love to be able to use my old laptop for parts. The Inspiron has a T7250 CPU and an 8400M GS GPU. The Asus has a P8400 CPU and a 9600M GS GPU. Are any of these parts interchangeable, and is it worth doing? I know that laptop video cards can be very different from one model to another, but it seems like the processor aught to be doable.

I've done plenty of work on desktop PCs, but on laptops, mostly just simple repairs, maintenance and memory upgrades. So, just looking for some assurance that I can do this without a major undertaking before I begin.

Thanks in advance.

Edit: I am now working with the Atheros wifi in the Dell. No immediate problems. Still looking for recommendations for the best options, maybe one that supports 5 GHz.

 

The best officially supported card is the Intel 4965. Fairly certain full-height 5100 and 5300 will work too, but no guarantees.

You can't use the P8400 from the Asus; you need to use a Socket P processor with an 800MHz FSB. The fastest option outside of Extremes is the T9500, but the T8300 or T9300 are generally a better value.

 

Thanks. I presume most mini PCI-Express cards will work if they are full-height, but there probably are fewer and fewer of those.

 

Video card upgrade complete. It was a bit of a production, but worked on the first try, so well worth it. Wanting to do the CPU as well. Are there any variations on the T9300, or are all of them the same? Seems like they are somewhat readily available at good prices, but don't want to get the wrong thing.

 

Make sure it has the stamp on it saying T9300 not some other number if that processor number indicator doesn't show up don't buy it regardless of what the seller might say otherwise. But if you find one on eBay your looking at 30-40US at the low end and buy one that gives you a warranty even if it is used.

 

Thanks. Ordered one. Fingers crossed.

 

Processor upgrade completed successfully. Sadly, I seem to have gotten a dud 5300 for wifi, which won't work in this laptop or my other one.