The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
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  1. dragoonzero

    dragoonzero Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am thinking about changing the motherboard for my laptop with a brand new high powered one that has a graphic card slot in it. How much would that cost me and how can i do it and can anyone show me any place to order the parts online? P.S My laptop is a dell inspiron 6400.
     
  2. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    The one thing you have to remember is that these ain't desktops...

    Laptop motherboards are very specific, and only that one will fit and work in your 6400. You can't just go to a store and buy a new mobo and expect it to fit and work with ur machine. It just doesn't work that way. Only a 6400 mobo directly from Dell will work, so what you can do is buy a 6400 mobo that has the x1400 in it.

    But that is not really feasible as it will be a ***** to replace, and will prolly cost you more than buying a brand new laptop with a dedicated card already.

    So your best option is to sell ur current machine and buy a new one if u need graphics card.
     
  3. Charr

    Charr Notebook Deity

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    A very small number of laptops have modular video card slots, contact Dell to see if this is one of them.
     
  4. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    As adinu mentioned, motherboards are specific to model. Ig you currently have a GMA 950, then the only way you can install a faster graphics card is to replace the motherboard, but its expensive and it may void the warranty.
     
  5. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    Your best solution would be to sell your current laptop, and then roll that money over into buying a new one. Upgrading wholesale like that is almost never worth it in a laptop.