Inspiron 1520 video card replacement?

Would it be possible to take out my Nvidia Geforce 8400M GS out of my inspiron 1520 and replace it with a Nvidia Geforce 8600M GT (that i guess I would buy out of Dell Spare Parts). If so would anyone know how to do it or know a site that will tell me? Voiding the warranty does not matter to me. rolleyes: hehe)

 

Quite frankly...we don't know because no one has tried swapping a card in these notebooks yet. It is possible this could be done, but IDK...

 

It's most probably possible.... and you could always give Dell a call

Here is the guide:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1520/en/sm/graphics.htm#wp1179839

And, it won't void the warranty if you follow the instructions.

 

Thanks for the link Dreamer! Found a site that documents replacing the video card in a Dell Inspiron e1705, it is interesting.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/349/2/

If I do replace the video card i'll try to document it like that guy did!! It seemed to go well for him.

 

Do you think it would void the warranty if I used a video card not from Dell spare parts?

 

^Probably. that's like switching your transmission to one made by a random OEM company and expecting the car manufacturer to still give you warranty.

I'm surprised DELL even lets you switch it out under warranty. I thought as soon as you opened a screw you lost your warranty.

 

Yup, it voids the warranty. I work for Dell, and that is most certainly the case.

 

I'm a reviewer at that site, and I can vouch for Jason here that up until recently he has used that notebook with no issues. He decided to sell it recently.

 

Dell use a proprietary format, which is different from the regular MXM format, so you cannot put anything different from the cards that Dell offer for this notebook.

And then again, upgrading video card doesn't void Dell's warranty unless you screw up something...

 

I don't know about the warranty being voided but I am also looking to upgrade the card to the 8600M GT. While I am not afraid of opening up my laptop, taking everything apart and following the directions in the service manual, I would only be concerned on how to get my hands on an 8600M GT card. I mean I doubt anyone will be ebaying them until at least a few months from now and I don't know if Dell plans to ever sell these cards either as replacements or upgrades. Anyone have any ideas?

 

Well technically, upgrading the video card doesn't void your warrenty, it when you break something. I work for Dellalso and you can rest assure, although Dell has strict warning about popping open your case, they'll fix stuff like your screen or your battery or whatever. As long as you stay patient, they work pretty hard to keep you as a customer.

 

I'm sure this has been asked - I'm not worried about voiding my warranty - but I have the x3100, can I upgrade or is there no way to upgrade video cards?

What about motherboard replacement? I would have no problem upgrading the motherboard (for a price of course).

 

X3100 can't be upgraded, manual makes no mention of DIY motherboard replacement and I don't think it's doable.

 

It was worth asking. Oh well.