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    Which card to replace 8600GT in Dell Vostro 1700

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by bodderz, Jun 12, 2009.

  1. bodderz

    bodderz Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi all,

    I had the misfortune of hooking up my laptop to the TV only to find that it did something to my graphics card which renders images like this (I am linking to that image from a thread in an nVidia forum here).

    So, I'm going to try and change the graphics card myself from the quite useful Dell instructions

    However, I am at a loss as to which graphics card I should buy. I'm certainly not going to hook up the laptop to the TV again so it makes sense to replace it with the same 256Mb nVidia GeForce 8600M GT card as I know this works.

    Having done a search on this card there seems to be quite a range of options and so I wondered if anybody could point me in the right direction of the one that I need.

    I live in the UK so a company here would be ideal.

    If a different, perhaps more stable card is available, I'd certainly give that a shot but I don't know if it would fit?

    Thanks for any advice given.

    Matt
     
    bodderz, Jun 12, 2009
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  2. Ghold

    Ghold Notebook Evangelist

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    You can't replace your graphics card.
     
    Ghold, Jun 12, 2009
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  3. bodderz

    bodderz Notebook Enthusiast

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    Why not? Dell even supply instructions on how to do it.
     
    bodderz, Jun 12, 2009
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  4. Ghold

    Ghold Notebook Evangelist

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    Ghold, Jun 12, 2009
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  5. tianxia

    tianxia kitty!!!

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    the only cards that work on your laptop are the 8400m gs and 8600m gt made by dell. you can't upgrade.
     
    tianxia, Jun 12, 2009
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  6. Apollo13

    Apollo13 100% 16:10 Screens

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    This is the correct answer. You can replace Dell laptop GPU's, but you have to use a compatible video card, which means it must be made by Dell for your model. For the Vostro 1700 (as well as the Inspiron 1520, which I have), the 8400M GS and 8600M GT DDR2 (made by Dell) are your only options.

    I do see why you want to fix it, though. That's not the prettiest LCD screen display I've ever seen. Would get old after awhile.
     
    Apollo13, Jun 12, 2009
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  7. Aeris

    Aeris Otherworldly

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    As said by other fellow members, you can only replace your laptop's graphics card with Dell-Made cards; 8400m GS and 8600m GT will work.

    It is a shame that Dell uses a propietary slot for their graphics cards, if only all of the manufacturers would adopt MXM and we could install any card that we wanted that fits within the specifications.
     
    Aeris, Jun 12, 2009
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  8. tianxia

    tianxia kitty!!!

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    it's in a wierd form factor as well, long and narrow, kinda like a low profile desktop card.
     
    tianxia, Jun 13, 2009
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  9. Aeris

    Aeris Otherworldly

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    Weird, Dell... ugh, that reminds me of that thread, "Do you know what card is this?", nobody knew because it was a Dell Propietary Card, hah.

    I wonder, what is the purpose of making a card entirely different?, other than to save space inside the chassis...
     
    Aeris, Jun 13, 2009
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  10. tianxia

    tianxia kitty!!!

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    so you can't upgrade, which means another laptop sale when you decide your current laptop is too slow.
     
    tianxia, Jun 13, 2009
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  11. Aeris

    Aeris Otherworldly

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    Oh man, you are right...

    Dell - "We want your money."
     
    Aeris, Jun 13, 2009
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  12. triturbo

    triturbo Long live 16:10 and MXM-B

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    Exactly, thanks God Acer doesn't think the same way :D
     
    triturbo, Jun 13, 2009
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  13. Aeris

    Aeris Otherworldly

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    Yay for Acer and every Laptop Manufacturer that uses MXM.
     
    Aeris, Jun 13, 2009
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  14. bodderz

    bodderz Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for all the replies.

    Damn Dell and their unique graphic cards. I suppose I've learnt a lesson - don't buy a Dell laptop.

    I might get a PS3 for the £200 they're asking to fix my card.
     
    bodderz, Jun 15, 2009
    #14