Can I put a 512 MB nvidia 8600M GT in a Vostro 1500?

I read through the GPU upgrade thread, and am left with a question. Dell's Vostro 1500 can be purchased at a quite nice price overall, but can't be configured with the 512 MB version of the 8600M GT (only 128MB and 256 MB versions). Could I buy a Vostro 1500 with no dedicated graphics card, and buy the 512 MB 8600M GT separately, and install it myself? Dell does have a nice page on their website showing how to replace graphics cards on the 1500s, but I don't know if I could find a 512 MB 8600M that would fit in the 1500 (I'm quite familiar with building desktops, but not that much with laptops. My understanding though is that I couldn't take any random video card (even with the right bus) and stick it into a laptop).

Thanks.

 

You can't.
Dell uses its own system for GFX, so you won't be able to buy another card (in MXMformat) to upgrade: it won't fit.

 

Ok, thanks. I knew that Dell doesn't use MXM, but wasn't sure if the higher memory version of the 8600M would fit (and I assume you can't directly increase the memory on the 8600M from 256 MB to 512 MB?).

Thanks.

 

You can't...

Also, there is no performance difference between the 256MB and 512MB versions of this card since it not poweful enough to utilize the extra memory anyway.

However, there is a 256MB GDDR3 verision, which is better than both 256MB(yours) and 512MB DDR2 versions but Dell don't offer it anyway.

Bottom line: You can't do that.

 

Ah, I hadn't seen it mentioned anywhere before that there is no performance difference between the 256 MB and 512 MB versions. Intersting....

To clarify, I haven't bought this laptop yet - the issue of not being able to get the 512 MB version, and thinking that that version would offer a substantial performance improvement, have been primary factors keeping me from buying it. But, if there really isn't any performance difference, that makes the issue of wanting to upgrade a moot point (and also simplifies the decision about whether to buy the Vostro 1500 or a more expensive laptop from someone else, that does have the 512 MB 8600 M GT).

Are there any performance tests comparing the 256 MB and 512 MB versions?

Thanks again.

 

Did some reading in other threads about the 256MB vs. 512 MB 8600Ms, and what you said seems to be the consensus. There is the issue though of whether the Vostro 1500 8600M GT would have DDR2 or DDR3 RAM, which seems to make a bit of a difference. Haven't been able to find that answered anywhere here yet (I'm checking with Dell also). ANyone know?

Thanks.

 

Pretty sure DDR2 and only DDR2 available.

 

That's fact, and it's been so for a while, the mid-range cards can't really utilize more than 256MB of dedicated memory effectively...

The Dell's card is DDR2 and that's about.

 

Thanks guys. I've located some more discussion on this, that indicates that DDR3 vs. DDR2 does make a significant difference (although some threads indicated it doesn't make all that much difference....), and that Dell's 8600M's come with DDR2.

For the price though, I think I may go with the Vostro 1500. I can get one with Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2 GHz) processor, 15.4 inch XGA (matte, don't want one of the shiny TrueLife ones), 1 GB RAM (to be upgraded myself much cheaper when I get it), 256 MB 8600M, 160GB 7200 RPM HD, XP Home, etc. etc. for $1100 (including bag and some other things). Not bad....

Thanks everyone.