dell 1520 and 8800m

Is this upgrade possible?

 

Doubt it..

First, Dell would need to offer the 8800 as an option for the 1520. They wont. It would:
-eat into their 1730 sales
-run FAR too hot(the alienware m15x will prob. be 3lbs heavier and 1/4" thicker to accommodate the heatsink/extra heat)
-wouldn't make sense in the inspiron lineup.

Frankly, id be MORE then happy if they would up the 8600GT to 512 DDR3, or maybe a 8700.

 

No way!!!! First of all some notebooks are barely upgradeable and those ones are the big clunky ones Clevo sell. No just not possible.

 

Simple answer is a BIG NO.

If DELL release an 8800 card for 1520 then you could, but the chances of that happening are next to nil. Because even the upcoming gaming XPS M1530 (15”) is going to have 8600 series (not even a low end 8700 series). Usually the reason being heat (but Alienware m15x has proved that it is not impossible to fit a 8800GT in to a 15” chasis) But I highly doubt that DELL would attempt something like that, not with the 1520 for sure (cos it would need some major redesigning of the chassis).

 

I don't know. Alienware 15" is coming out with 8800M, so wouldnt suprise me too much.

 

Chances are they will put the 8800M GTS in the Inspiron 1720, and leave the 1520 until the midrange Geforce 9 series is released. If Dell does indeed release a dedicated graphics 15" XPS then it will probably be the only machine that will get the 8800M GTS or GTX. Although if they make the mistake of using the same card format for the XPS and the Inspiron line again then there is a good chance that you can upgrade your Inspiron like people used to do (like the 7800 GTX in the Inspiron 9300 and such). It's something to hope for!

 

You have to remember that Inspirons aren't Dell's gaming lineup. They'd probably only make an Inspiron with 8800M if there's another graphics chip that's stronger than it is in that time, whenever that will be

 

I like how people refer Alienware and Dell as two separate entities, indeed that they sell different products and to different audiences, but ultimately Dell has the ownership to Alienware. In short, I really really hope 8800m GTS, not even GTX would fit into 1520, maybe with some underclock and self modified heat sink.

 

Alienware and Dell are the same company.. It's like car manufactures. Theres only 3 mager owners and they all own like every company in the world. GM owns like..Mercedes and such I believe.. It's just a huge tax dodge really..

That aside.

It is possible, Very possible. Although, you might have to get a bigger wattage brick. And a 9cell battery. And before it CAN be possible, we need to consider the following things.

The 8800M was engineered from the ground up completely. It doesn't even get much hotter then the current cards, roughly 13 degrees more. It only consumes maybe 30 watts more then the current 8600m. You my need to down clock it just in case heat is an issue, but I doubt it.

The only limitation is the cards size.

Dell promise video card upgrade paths for the XPS1730 so that means that Dell got Nvidia working on a Dell version right this moment. Once the 1730 gets the card, if it's only 3" MAX bigger then the current 8600m, and has the same layout as well it will fit.

People forget, Dell are smart. You honestly think they have different components for every model? Nope. They use all the same parts in all machines, as much as possible, saves money, less parts to produce. All Dell's mobile dedicated video card solutions are exactly the same, just different specs. Keep in mind not all there laptops use the same mobos or layouts, but as far as these other components (dedicated graphics, CDs drivers, wireless cards, etc etc...) this is very valid and true.

All the new Dells use the exact same card, same board, just different memory, GPU glued to it. I've seen people taking they're cards out of the XPS1730 and putting it into Vostro's, why I donno but IT's enough proof for me that it is more then likely a POSSIBILITY

Enough said.

 

Umn. There's thing called form factor.

Swaping XPS's SLI card into vostro/inspiron just won't work. (check the shapes if you doubt this at Dell, there's a reason why M1730 is huge)

E1705's were able to take 7900GTX's since M1710/E1705/M90 had same form factors, used identical parts.

 

Yeah buddy I stated that

"The only limitation is the cards size."

in other words, form factor. The reason the 1730 is so thick is because of all the bull crap inside it. We ripped one apart in the office, the video cards are the exact same as the one I yanked out of my 1520.



Just need a set of torque screws to exchange heat sinks.

 

I know Alienware is under DELL, but more like a mischievous younger brother (if you get what I’m trying to say). Their goals, market segments/share and strategies are different. That’s why I said even though Alienware did it, DELL wont. DELL is looking at a much larger market segment where 1520 is already doing quite well without the 8800M. So why bother ?. Besides, if they put a 8800M series in budget line Inspiron 15" that would screw up the balance between premium class 17" gaming machines and budget lines. Inspiron 15” has, and always will be a midrange notebook designed for the masses. I highly doubt that even XPS M1530 will have one, in which case you are out of luck even for a custom job. Putting in a 8800 wont be as simple as underlocking and modifying the heatsink, what about the form factor? (are you going to cut the card to fit too ?)

Technical limitations controlling how much power can be put in to a particular size notebook chassis is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Now it is all about business decisions.

 

The limitation is more than that. You should consider why M1730 has beastly sized power supply. The main reason would be the GPU. More power means more heat, which needs better air flow via the size/room inside.

Only way M1520 might get 8800M series would be if Dell decides make one for the model.

There is a good chance 1720 may get one, but I have to wonder how they will make it work without dedicated fan.

 

As a previous owner of an XPS M1730 and a current vostro 1500 owner,I can't see how people are putting the 1730 card in a vostro,its not even remotely alike,the 1730 is 2 chips and 2 sets of memory on one daughterboard with a huge amount of heatpipes for each.........the vostro isn't......plus the MB riser runs north/south on the vostro and east west on the XPS.
A picture from each to show.

 

so if size is the only limitation cant i mod the laptop myself and cut out some plastics to accomodate the card?

my question is.. if i buy a 8800m would it CONNECT where the 8600m gt connects in the notebook. If yes i could check out its dimensions see if any kind of a mod is possible to accomplish what i want to do...

 

"so if size is the only limitation cant i mod the laptop myself and cut out some plastics to accomodate the card?"

That is the dumbest post I have read in a LONG time....

You wanna take this one, Achille's?

 

Buy one, and let me know how it goes?

I think I've basically said it won't work multiple times unless Dell decides to make one for certain models.

 

Considering dell are now planning the successor to the 1520 to be released next month, I really can't see them making a 8800M for the 1520. Its unlikely for the 1525 (the successor to the 1520), let alone the 1520 IMO.

 

If you want to you can take this up with me via PM, i am sure i can resolve this with the help of my tire iron.

In any case, just answer the simple question... Would the connectors physically work and could i connect the CARD theoretically to the laptop? let me worry about the rest myself you stubborn mules.

 

Answer would be no.

Dell would have to issue bios update even it does fit by the way..

w/o bios to recognize, it's a brick sittin on your mobo.

 

Hmm, let's take a table saw, machete, hacksaw, WHATEVER to my laptop to get a vdieo card to fit in it - great idea!

 

You forgot to mention 'and be a sarcastic ass hole' ...

 

just because you cant do it doesnt mean i couldnt...

in any case ty achilles for straight up answer +1 rep to you. i guess bios is the key limitation here for me anyway.

 

The ONLY limitations here are BIOS and Size. Nothing else.

These GPU's are strong as hell and can withstand heat. My 8600GT at full load hits 68c. So I'd say the 8800M would do around 80-90c. That is WELL within thermal limits by a long shot. Most other manufacturers have their products (including the CPU) at 90c full load!!!

In the future I will upgrade my 1520 to a x7800 and 8800m assuming they will work.

I'm sure somebody will confirm at some point that either will fit/work.