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    Inspiron 1720 GPU upgrade

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by kyba274, Oct 11, 2010.

  1. kyba274

    kyba274 Newbie

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    Hello, I was wondering if it is possible to upgrade the ancient graphics card on my Inspiron 1720? Currently there is a Nvidia 8600M GT 256mb GT in there and frankly it struggles with most games that are even a few years old.
    According to the documentation below, it is not hard to take the graphics card out.
    Documentation

    I am wondering if it is possible to replace it with a more modern better graphics card that can handle modern games?
    I have no idea how the notebook graphic cards work, i assume they are interchangable like desktop graphic cards?

    Can someone please advise me if a better card will fit? And then possibly suggest a few good notebook cards?

    Thanks for your help!
     
    kyba274, Oct 11, 2010
    #1
  2. Paralel

    Paralel Notebook Evangelist

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    That is the most powerful graphics card for the 1720, there is no possible further upgrade since it uses a proprietary interface and as such a standard MXM card is not compatible with it.
     
    Paralel, Oct 11, 2010
    #2
  3. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    You cannot upgrade the card as been said... it uses a dell GPU which doesn't not have anything else.. new laptop buying time...
     
    sean473, Oct 11, 2010
    #3
  4. key001

    key001 Notebook Evangelist

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    Are dell cards compatible with each other or do they change them every generation?
     
    key001, Oct 11, 2010
    #4
  5. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    User Retired 2, Oct 11, 2010
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  6. kyba274

    kyba274 Newbie

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    Outlook is pretty bleak, but thanks for all the help so far.
    What is this DIY ViDock??
     
    kyba274, Oct 14, 2010
    #6
  7. kyba274

    kyba274 Newbie

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    woops sorry, didnt notice that you linked a few descriptions and prices, due to all the other stuff in ur signature blending in.
    The ViDock sounds like a brilliant idea. Its taken me awhile to get through the ton of information on this setup but i think i have the general idea.
    Unfortunately it appears that the ViDock wont work on Windows Vista?? Are there any workarounds to this?
     
    kyba274, Oct 25, 2010
    #7
  8. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    Workaround would be running XP drivers for the onboard and external gpu, losing DX10 and Aero in the process. Or upgrade to Win7.
     
    User Retired 2, Oct 25, 2010
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  9. kyba274

    kyba274 Newbie

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    Ok ill be upgrading to windows 7 soon. How do i check what pci slots i have and what is in each one? Ive seen people posting pics of a dos screen showing what PCI slots are in the computer... How do i find that?
    I need to know whether to order the PE4L or PE4H.
    Thanks for your help again nando
     
    kyba274, Nov 3, 2010
    #9
  10. Paralel

    Paralel Notebook Evangelist

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    You should have two free PCI-E slots in your system, one for WWAN and one for Robson.
     
    Paralel, Nov 3, 2010
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  11. kyba274

    kyba274 Newbie

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    So while cleaning the vents today i took a pic of the available minipci slots.
    There are two free slots, and assuming the ports are numbered right, this means i can do a 2x 1.0 setup right?

    THanks!
    [​IMG]
     
    kyba274, Nov 4, 2010
    #11
  12. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    User Retired 2, Nov 4, 2010
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  13. jomamahama

    jomamahama Newbie

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    Original poster- did the x2 link work for you? I stumbled upon your thread and am considering it- but if you already researched it I'd like to know of your results before I go through step 5. Thanks!
     
    jomamahama, Dec 22, 2010
    #13