Inspiron 9400 w/ a quadro? is it possible?

Hi everyone.

I would like to know, since Dell has a bad habbit of switching some videocards on and off in their laptop builder website, it got me thinking... can we stick a quadro in the 9400 or even the less expensive inspiron 6400 framing or it's a completely different board layout working only for precision chassis?


Also, when you buy a 9400 (or even a 6400 for that matter) with integrated graphics, is it still possible to stick a videocard in there after?


thanks!

 

First of all, integrated graphics cards have different mobos, so you must purchase a dedicated graphics card to upgrade. Since the m90 and the 9400 have the same chassis, i'd assume that a quadro would be okay in a 9400. If you wanted a 2500 then youd prob need a 130 watt ps though.

 

Thanks for the quick reply,


If you look at the Service manual, the Quadro cards have 2 copper radiators, the geforces series that I've seen (7900GS) only has one. You are right about the 2500M I wouldn't try that one in, probably a big battery sucker, and the power supply wouldn't handle it, but a 1500M isn't too bad, it has all the shabang that I need (256 bits memory, enough pipes to do the work, etc) the 350M is out of the question though.

Anyways I'm wondering if anyone actually tried or has access to both a 9400 and a spare quadro to see if it's doable, would be nice to know, that would make one hell of a cheap and powerful workstation coupled with duo2core w/ 4mb cache and a wuxga screen.

 

Many of the guys on the forum have fitted dual pipe 7900gs (from the XPS) or the dual pipe 7900gtx into their 9400's. The 1500M is basically a 7900gs with 2 pipes and OpenGL compatibility. I dont see any complications but its a good idea to see if it has been done before. Good luck finding someone who has done it!

Also, check the dell outlet for great deals on m90's, there is a thread on here dedicated to those deals. Check it out and see what those guys got!

 

Well if you tell me someone fitted a GTX in his 9400, that answers my connector and power concerns

Thanks a lot!