i6000 video card replacement

I ordered a i6000 just a few days ago. However, I made a very regretful decision to go with the 64MB x300 instead of the 128MB x300. Returning the computer back to dell is out of question since Dell does not have return service in the country where I odered.

I called Dell to ask how much it costs to just order a 128MB X300 from them, and they told me it is more than $200, which is totally not making any sense since I could buy a video card way much better than x300 with that price.

I am wondering if I can buy a x300 128MB myself online. Is it possible to buy one from a third party, such as Asus, Crucial? And what kind should I buy to make sure it is compatible with my computer.

 

anyone please?

 

From what I understand, the x300 is actually built into the motherboard itself, and cannot be upgraded without actually replacing the entire motherboard. I don't think there is anyway to actually upgrade or replace the GPU. I could be mistaken, but I think that's the way it's set up.

 

the x300 is a pci-e is user upgradeable card. i'm surprised that dell won't cxl the purchase and initiate a new one with the 128 card.

have u tried to do that (cxl the existing order and reorder with a 128 card)?

anyways, yes you can order a card separately and upgrade it yourself, but i don't know if you'll notice a difference in performance?

why do you want to upgrade to the 128?

 

But I thought x300 is replaceable since Dell shows how to remove it on its 16000 service manual.

 

i mean i6000

 

I must be missing that. I'm looking thru my manual right now, but I'm not seeing how to swap out the GPU. Don't get me wrong, if you say it's there, I believe you...I just can't seem to find it. Would like to know for future reference. I was under the assumption that the x300 was actually part of the motherboard itself, and had memory installed on it.

 

Is there a signficant difference between 64 x300 and 128 x300?. If I upgraded my RAM to 1 gig, would that bring up the GPU's performance a lot and reduce the difference?

By the way, where can I oder a seperate 128 x300 card besides from Dell?

 

not really. Most users don't notice the difference. I tried searching Dell to see what they say, and someone asked the same question on their forums. This was the response:

Right now, the only upgrade available for you would be to get the 128MB version of the x300. Since Dell's video cards are proprietary, you can't just buy a better card from a 3rd party and stick it in. Unless Dell starts selling better cards and putting them in the I6000 itself, the 128MB x300 is the best available. For viewing DVDs, I'm not sure you would notice much of a difference from the card you have now. You will probably notice some improvement in gaming since the 128mb x300 has more on-board memory, but it might not be worth the cost of buying a new card from Dell.

I'm not sure about where you live, but in the states changing the video card will void the warranty. If you do decide you want to change the card out, I would contact dell and verify that you can change it out so you don't waste the money.

 

what are you using the laptop for?

 

I am using it for my college, mostly word processing, internet, photo editing and occational gaming, such as HL2.

 

So are there any differences between, say, Dell X300 and Asus x300, or Crucial X300.

 

for everything except the gaming, you will not notice any difference with the video card @ 64 vs 128.

i can't say about HL2

yes, there is a difference bewteen the different x300s, if you want to upgrade, you have to buy the part from dell as it is manufactured to fit into the dell machine specifically

i would say that with the amount of gaming you are doing, the upgrade isn't worth it

 

I agree with drumfu. I really don't think it is worth it. The way Dell has their systems set up is that the inspirons can only use the video cards that are available to that specific model, so you are only going to be use either ATI 64 or 128.

 

I also purchased a Dell 6000D with the 64 instead of the 128 and I seem to notice a bit of a graininess when I am watching videos, is this something I would also notice with the 128?

 

Yes. The video RAM used when playing movies has nothing to do with its grainyness. Its a screen issue or video quality issue.

As for the gpu upgrade. I'd wait for the next refresh of this PC. Chances are they will upgrade the GPU to at least an X600 (or provide an option) in a later revision, maybe even an X700 GPU.
Eg: Dell D600 originally came out with the Radeon 9000 32MB (64bit) standard. A later revision went to the Radeon 9000 64MB (128bit). The X600 would be an easy upgrade for Dell to implement to their line of notebooks. The X700 may be harder with its extra heat, but as they get cheaper who knows?

 

When Dell makes these upgrades will they also upgrade (for a price) the existing I6000 units already purchased.

 

Couldnt there be a software bios hack? I read a thread on here a couple of weeks ago said that the x300 is 64mb on the card and 64mb of the system memory. Am I getting this right?

 

european 6000s offer a vid card option for the x300 that is 64 on the card and 64 shared (i believe sweden, don't know about other european countries). that option is not available in the states; it's either the GMA integrated solution, the 64 meg x300 or the 128 meg x300.

 

Does having a 6000D cause any additional problems if someone wants to upgrade the card?

Dell quoted me $150 to swap out the card for the 128 but I wonder if I should just wait to see if they offer an even better card down the road.

 

as far as i know...dell doesn't upgrade the video cards very often for the lower end models. The XPS GEN 2 users actually gets free video card when a new one is added ( I believe...saw it on Dell's website). Besides that, all other inspiron users will have to pay.