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    dell inspiron 1520 15.4 inch graphics card upgradable?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Drgon, Jul 25, 2007.

  1. Drgon

    Drgon Notebook Enthusiast

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    is the dell inspiron 1520 15.4 inch graphics card user upgradeable?

    when the more advanced DX10 cards start coming out will they be able to be put in the laptop? or is the 8600m gt (the current best configuration)going to be the best card usable in the system?
     
  2. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I doubt they will, the 8600GT is plenty fast already.

    The 1520's graphics card is modular, but you can only downgrade it from the 8600GT.
     
  3. matt_h1

    matt_h1 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    the 8600GT is the best you will see in the 1520, The 8700GT is more of a 17" type of graphics card, At best you might be able to upgrade it to the DDR3 version but I think dell uses a proprietary graphics card format... It might be MXM but I cant remember
    -bite coriolis's poking finger-
     
  4. pragun

    pragun Notebook Evangelist

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    don't think it uses MXM but i have no experience whatsoever.
     
  5. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    It's not MXM, it's a reverse MXM Dell proprietary slot...whatever that means ;)
     
  6. majortom1981

    majortom1981 Notebook Consultant

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    It can be upgraded if dell releases the same notebook with a higher card. The 1520 notebook gpu is on a removable card that is proprietary to dell.

    The thing is that dell has to come out with a higher compatible card. Basically if the 1520 is released with a higher gpu in it then you can repalce it.

    Since the gpu in the 1520 is removeable I am guessing that there will be an upgrade in the future otherwise they wouldnt have gone through all the trouble to have it remmovable.
     
  7. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The 1520 is available with other GPUs like the 8400GS, thats why its removable. As well, it's modular so they can easily RMA and mass produce generic machines while being able to sell them with different GPUs.
     
  8. majortom1981

    majortom1981 Notebook Consultant

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    Yes but dont the intel only machines not have the gpu slot at all?
     
  9. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Yea, so pretty much its the 8400GS and 8600GT for the 1520 that is the generic motherboard. The x3100 is soldered onto the motherboard.