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    Swapping 3470 for 9650GT

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by russianizer76, Oct 3, 2008.

  1. russianizer76

    russianizer76 Newbie

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    Ok, so I got this crazy idea. My new SR's arriving in a couple weeks, and I would obviously like it to have a bit more power in the graphics department. I checked out most popular cards today, and guess what: the radeon 3470 (in the sr) is exactly the same size and mounting holes as the radeon 3670, but also as the GeForce 9500 and 9650 cards.

    What if I install XP and just install XP drivers for the cards? Am I crazy? Finding the cards themselves is a big enough problem, but should i go for it? I don't have experience in the matter, but the cards look like they are attached just like pci-e cards on desktops, not soldered like on earlier notebooks.

    Attached are pics of the cards.
     

    Attached Files:

    russianizer76, Oct 3, 2008
    #1
  2. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Which notebook are you talking about and where will you get the card from?
     
    usapatriot, Oct 3, 2008
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  3. pukemon

    pukemon are you unplugged?

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    if you have the money to blow on this experiment go for it and spread the news. if not, quit fantasizing.
     
    pukemon, Oct 3, 2008
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  4. scadsfkasfddsk

    scadsfkasfddsk Notebook Evangelist

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    Chances are this won't work, so don't waste your time and money.
     
    scadsfkasfddsk, Oct 3, 2008
    #4
  5. rschauby

    rschauby Superfluously Redundant

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    Oh come on! We support Pioneers around here.

    I say grab the blow torch and chain saw and get to work.
     
    rschauby, Oct 3, 2008
    #5
  6. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

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    nope. 10 char
     
    masterchef341, Oct 3, 2008
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  7. MastaMarek

    MastaMarek Notebook Evangelist

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    Even if the nvidia will fit inside, u nre not sure about the thermal properties of that chip and you dont have a bios for that card. So in the end .... its a no.
     
    MastaMarek, Oct 3, 2008
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  8. jcovelli

    jcovelli Notebook Deity

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    jcovelli, Oct 3, 2008
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  9. gary_hendricks

    gary_hendricks Notebook Evangelist

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    I'd not recommend this for 3 reasons:

    1) The thermal properties of the 2 cards (like MastaMarek mentioned) might not be compatible. You don't know what you might do to the other circuitry in the laptop.

    2) Do you really, really need that extra performance? Sometimes I know that we like to tweak desktops and laptops, but to what end do you want to do that? If you like to play games and max the graphics performance, then go custom build a desktop. A laptop (in my opinion) is not as customizable as a desktop.

    3) You may void the warranty on the SR. Even if you want to do the fancy stuff above, do it after you own the SR for sometime. How'd you know the SR won't fail on you in say a couple of months? Opening it up and replacing the graphics card will void the warranty. It's best to try it after you have assurance the laptop is ok.
     
    gary_hendricks, Oct 3, 2008
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  10. tangent

    tangent Notebook Evangelist

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    one is nvidia and one is ATI, i would be suprised if the mobo could use both...
     
    tangent, Oct 4, 2008
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  11. OliZ

    OliZ Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm not an expert but I've done a lot of reading regarding similar tuneups and this is my conclusion at this time:
    As long as the mxm formfactor (size) is the same, it could fit.
    And that means the bits on the card should be in the same places so the cooling should fit. If it follows a MXM formfactor it should be compatible sizewise. The question is if the next card is hotter.
    Also I guess you´d have to flash the new card's bios into the motherboard, if that is possible. The way I understand it, is that the graphics bios is in the motherboard on laptops.
    I suppose that would be the hardest problem. However a lot of people here were previously flashing their bios in order to overcklock the cards.
     
    OliZ, Oct 4, 2008
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  12. 660hpv12

    660hpv12 Notebook Deity

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    am sure you can FORCE (some hammer, chainsaw etc) the new card in and get it to work and have a very nice firework after the first boot up. seriously notebooks are designed quite specifically (thermal management, geometry etc) that your laptop will over heat instantaneously
     
    660hpv12, Oct 4, 2008
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  13. Pranalien

    Pranalien Notebook Veteran

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    Motherboard waiting to turn into pure charcoal!!!
     
    Pranalien, Oct 4, 2008
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  14. HaloGod2007

    HaloGod2007 Notebook Virtuoso

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    the 3670 is not bigger, same thing but higher clocked, and it will work, the asus laptops are identical that have the 9500m gs and the 3650

    anyways the 9650m gt cant be found by itself right now, unless you found a way to get it?
     
    HaloGod2007, Oct 4, 2008
    #14