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    So what is the best video card for an Inspiron 1520

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by ryandh, Mar 15, 2009.

  1. ryandh

    ryandh Newbie

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    I've read a bunch of the threads here and haven't really seen this clearly addressed.

    My Inspiron 1520 has the 128MB GeForce 8400M GS. I can get a 256MB 8400M GT for about $100 or the 256MB 8600M GT for around $180. Is the 8600M GT the best card I can get? Is it enough better than the 8400 to be worth the $80 or so?
     
    ryandh, Mar 15, 2009
    #1
  2. FoxTrot1337

    FoxTrot1337 Notebook Deity

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    I would get the 8600M GT.
     
    FoxTrot1337, Mar 15, 2009
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  3. dtwn

    dtwn C'thulhu fhtagn

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    The 8600M GT is the best card for the 1520. However, I'm also relatively certain that card you're thinking of won't work in your laptop. The 8400M GS is soldered onto the motherboard, unless you intend to replace your motherboard, you'll be stuck with the GS.
     
    dtwn, Mar 15, 2009
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  4. killeruio

    killeruio Notebook Consultant

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    wait, are you intending to replace the card or buy it with the 8600?
     
    killeruio, Mar 15, 2009
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  5. spradhan01

    spradhan01 Notebook Virtuoso

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    I dont think you would be able to do upgrade?
    As the gpu you have is not add on like in M1730 and other laptops.
    Sad but true.
     
    spradhan01, Mar 15, 2009
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  6. MAG

    MAG Notebook Deity

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    True. Even the m1730 has its own version of cards.
     
    MAG, Mar 15, 2009
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  7. killeruio

    killeruio Notebook Consultant

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    each laptop has its own version of its cards, unless its based of another laptop model like clevos have had some of their laptops become alienwares and sagers or whatever.
     
    killeruio, Mar 15, 2009
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  8. Harleyquin07

    Harleyquin07 エミヤ

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    Best card for the 1520 is the 8600m GT DDR2, you will however need the correct part which fits into Dell's proprietary slot.
     
    Harleyquin07, Mar 15, 2009
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  9. 660hpv12

    660hpv12 Notebook Deity

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    am a bit unclear. do you already have the laptop with a 8400m gs and think of upgrading by buying a 8600m gt, or are you going to cancel your current laptop to order one with 8600m gt. if its the former, I dont think its possible. if its the later then by all means, the 8600m gt is a good 3x more powerful
     
    660hpv12, Mar 15, 2009
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  10. tmaxxtim

    tmaxxtim Notebook Evangelist

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    I think he realizes that its soldered into the motherboard and was giving us prices to reflect that.

    Its not that hard to replace the motherboard/video card. Everything else is the same.
     
    tmaxxtim, Mar 15, 2009
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  11. dtwn

    dtwn C'thulhu fhtagn

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    I'm not so certain about that. The reason for my doubt is the fact that he provided a price for the 8400M GT, a card which has never been used in Dells.
     
    dtwn, Mar 15, 2009
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  12. tmaxxtim

    tmaxxtim Notebook Evangelist

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    Well his other prices reflect about what it would cost for the correct video card version of the motherboard.
     
    tmaxxtim, Mar 15, 2009
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  13. dtwn

    dtwn C'thulhu fhtagn

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    True, could go either way I guess.
     
    dtwn, Mar 15, 2009
    #13