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    Improving an M4400

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by Bigred42, Jul 19, 2011.

  1. Bigred42

    Bigred42 Newbie

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    I've been looking to improve my Dell M4400's graphics and considering that the graphics card is in the mother board I would need to replace that too I've been looking online to understand how I might go about this and specifically with what would I replace it. it started out with an NVIDIA Quadro FX 770M and I desperately want to improve its graphics for my starcraft 2 matches is there any chance I can do this without the costs going beyond the price of just buying a whole new lap top?
     
    Bigred42, Jul 19, 2011
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  2. Blazin23

    Blazin23 Notebook Evangelist

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    Firstly, the graphics card probably has a custom built heatsink around it, so if you managed to get a graphics card of the same type (not sure if it is MXM) you would have to make a heatsink.

    Secondly, you want to replace the motherboard? I would just get a new laptop if you are going to that much trouble. Would be much more time/cost effective

    Blazin
     
    Blazin23, Jul 22, 2011
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  3. afhstingray

    afhstingray Notebook Prophet

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    the graphics chip on the M4400 is on the motherboard, to replace it you have to replace the whole motherboard and the only other option is the quadro FX1700m, which is not really much of a upgrade anyway.
     
    afhstingray, Jul 22, 2011
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  4. edit1754

    edit1754 Notebook Prophet

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    I have the M4400 with the 770M.

    It is attached to the motherboard, and shares the same fan assembly as the CPU.

    If the lag starts late in the game, it might be throttling rather than a GPU bottleneck. Throttling can be lessened a bit by redoing your thermal compound. I'd suggest getting some IC Diamond, and a cleaning solution (or maybe just rubbing alcohol) to clean off the old paste.

    Depending on which CPU you have, your CPU might also be somewhat of a bottleneck. SC2 is a bit more CPU-intensive than other games. If you were to upgrade the CPU, either get a T9600 or ES QX9200 QAVR. I'm having throttling issues with my QX9200, but I'm chainging the thermal paste soon to see if that helps. The QX9200 is also overclockable, if you get the right one (the QAVR).
     
    edit1754, Jul 22, 2011
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