Replacing X1400 with an Nvida?

I read somewhere online that you can replace one dedicated card with another dedicated card, and that someone did this with an X1400 and replaced it with an Nvida card for better performance. Is this possible? And what Nvida card would you use?

 

Generally, the answer is no. Notebooks are not designed for upgradeable graphics. However, the Dell E1705, is a notebook that was sold with the Mobility X1400, and the Go 7900 GS as a faster option. In that case, it may be possible to physically upgrade it. I'm not too sure on what needs to be done software wise, but a BIOS update may be needed.

 

I dont think its possible to replace the ATI X1400 with an NVIDIA card.

Zero, thats an interesting observation about the E1705. I wonder whether it would be possible to upgrade with a BIOS update.

 

If you have read the Mobile graphics card thread you will know that most likely you will not be able to upgrade the GPU, though there are some RARE exceptions (Dell being the most notable) As far as replacing the X1400 with an Nvidia it would be rather pointless since the X1400 outperformes the Go7400(the equivalent Nvidia card) by about 100 3D marks.

now if you are talking about upgrading to a higher end card (Go7600, X1600 etc) I would say it is virtually impossible. What with the higher heat output and other issues the process would be expensive and very difficult if it were possible. The only possibility was if you wanted to upgrade your X1400 to a X2400 when they come out, then there might be a VERY SLIGHT chance, though still expensive.

 

I did read the post on graphics cards, thats why i did alittle searching and found a guy who swapped out his X1400 for the 7900gs on a 1705 or something like that, I was just curious because dont they all mount the same?(X1400 7900gs) i realize there would heat issues and bio issues. It's not *impossible* since someone has actually done it. Wish i could find the link. I'm a complete noob to laptops and componants so forgive me for my ignorance.

 

my friend swapped his x1400 for a 7900 in his dell so im sure its possible.

 

Are the chipsets different between the 1705, 1505?

 

The chipsets are of the same series, Intel 945. If the laptop has integrated graphics, it will have the 945GM chipset, and if dedicated, the 945PM. If a Dell has integrated graphics, it cannot be upgraded.

 

If the E1705 has an x1400, then you can upgrade to a 7900GS relatively (key word, relatively) simply. You'll have to buy the part from Dell, but you shouldn't require a BIOS update, as the E1705 uses the same BIOS for all variations of the machine. Heat also shouldn't be a problem as the E1705 is designed to use the 7900GS. Just make sure to get the proper equipment.

As a matter of fact, Dell tells you how to replace the video card here. I'm not sure if it voids your warranty or not though. Nobody has really ever confirmed either way.

EDIT: If you are thinking about swapping a 7900GS into an E1505 though, you're SOL. Dell will in no way help you do that, and I doubt it's even possible. Even if it were, you'd probably cook the laptop in about 20 minutes.

 

Out of curiosty why would it cook a 1505 but not a 1705? like i said i am a complete noob so please educate me.

Thats what i was planning, Not now.
Thats all i needed to know, Thanks for the replies.

 

different systems have different thermal envelopes. a 15.4" chassis can't really handle the heat created by the 7900gs.

 

heat and space, the 7900 puts out a considerable amount of heat, the 1705 was designed for larger and hotter running cards, the e1505 is not

 

The top video card made for the E1505 was the X1400. In order to get an Nvidia card into the E1505 you'd have to custom make one. The E1505 and E1705 video cards are not the same.

 

Sorry, I did not mean to put you down. Everyone asks this question at one time or other, most likely because it is a very simple thing to upgrade the GPUs in desktops.

As far as cooking the 15.4" laptop in 20 minutes, its mainly because the bigger the chassis the more cooling hardware they can fit in it. As a result your 17" notebook can dissipated a great deal more heat than your 15.4" notebook. So while the e1705 can handle the Go7900 (although it still gets fairly hot and is certainly near its heat limit) the e1505 just could not handle it without some sort of external cooler.

And besides the extra heat output there is also the size difference, in general the more powerful a card is the bigger it is.(take a look at some pictures of the 8800XTX) And the fact that notebooks have very little space inside them to begin with, this might be the biggest deal breaker.

Like I said don't worry about asking questions, no matter how newbie they may sound. After all thats how we learn.

As a side note I think Dell uses proprietary Graphics cards so not just any mobile Go7900 will fit in the e1705.

 

I wasnt offended in anyway, It just seemd like an easy upgrade because the 2 cards look the same in everyway. I understand where you're coming from with the heat and dissapation.
Thanks for the clarification.

 

Actually, I think if the e1505 had a second fan, it could handle the 7900GS perfectly fine. The chassis itself has plenty of spare room inside, and I count 1, 2, 3... 9 places for air to get out. Too bad the e1505 only has a single fan.

 

Hey mate, did you find out about it? I'm on the hunt myself to see if i can replace the x1400 in my inspiron 6400. I too have heard that its possible, but can't for the life of me find any good relevant websites. Did you find any? If you did could you email or post them. Cheers,

Dan

 

Disregard that post, i only saw the OP on the first page i looked at. After reading the rest of the posts, i''ve got my answer

 

Actually it is possible to put a card like the 7900 or a 7800 in a 15" notebook. You will have to underclock it, use thermal glue and understand how to do it. I saw it done somewhere on the internet and they made a little guide. I believe it was done in a Dell Latitude but I wouldn't really recommend do it.

 

perfectly possible if you use your 15.4" notebook as a desktop replacement... simply take out every piece of cover possible (HDD, RAM, etc..), put it on top of a cooling pad, and you have a perfect system. When you need to take it outside, maybe 5 minutes to put things back in... and seriously underclock the GPU...
That's what i'm planning to do