Insprion 6400 GFX Upgrade [headache]

Dell say with my Inspiron 6400 Specs

As you have PCI Express® X16 slot to add the card.

Specification of graphic card that is compatible to your system

Video type: Integrated on system board
Video controller Intel 945 GM
Video memory Up to 128 MB of shared memory (with 256 MB of system memory) or 224 MB of shared memory (with 512 MB of system memory)
LCD interface LVDS
TV support NTSC or PAL in S-video, composite, and component modes

Video type: Discrete video card
Data bus PCI Express® X16
Video controller ATI? Mobility? Radeon® X1300 or X1400
Video memory 64 MB (X1300) or 128 MB (X1400)
LCD interface LVDS

TV support NTSC or PAL in S-video, composite, and component modes
~~
Are they just saying, oh errr all we have is an x1400, but i can actually pound the beafiest mo fo on the shelves in there?

If so what do you recommend to shove in there?

ATM I get 10fps on every possible setting and with murderous cfgs for counterstrike source and dod source [although curiously hl2 runs fine] just hoping you might recommend the card : >

I am aware this isnt a gamer machine but I just want to make it into one, I'm aware this will kill my 3 year warranty [im in month 2 ]

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=41454

 

I checked this, I'm being more specific :>

I have a dell which is upgradable :/

 

The integrated graphics motherboard in the 6400 is not upgradable to a dedicated GPU. Dell used two different motherboards, one with integrated and another for dedicated graphics with the necessary connector.

Without the connector there's nothing for the X1300 or X1400 video cards from Dell to plug into.

 

some gpu's are soldered on to the motherboard meaning they cannot physically be removed and hence upgraded.

 

This is interesting! so you say that your dell with an integrated video card actually has a pci express slot!, right?
Did you open the notebook and made sure of that?

Anyway, I found this in the threads once, http://laptoplogic.com/resources/detail.php?id=31
I guess maybe your laptop can be upgraded in the same way, but you have the problem of space, you might have to push the surounding parts to the corners to provide space for let's say... you might be thinking of an ividia 7900 gs! right?

you might have to cut parts from the cooler and reshape reshape it a little to make it fit.... are you a modification geek and you have the required tools? if so... then I believe you can do that!

Even though it might fry my dell e1505, but if I had one I would try that lol

Good luck and post a thread about it~

 

Well dell themselves say it is upgradeable but refuse to do the work themselves :>

 

posted is the enitire dell email:

Thank you for contacting Dell Hardware E-Support.

Yes you can add a graphic card without changing the motherboard.
As you have PCI Express® X16 slot to add the card.

Specification of graphic card that is compatible to your system

Video type: Integrated on system board
Video controller Intel 945 GM
Video memory Up to 128 MB of shared memory (with 256 MB of system memory) or 224 MB of shared memory (with 512 MB of system memory)
LCD interface LVDS
TV support NTSC or PAL in S-video, composite, and component modes

Video type: Discrete video card
Data bus PCI Express® X16
Video controller ATI? Mobility? Radeon® X1300 or X1400
Video memory 64 MB (X1300) or 128 MB (X1400)
LCD interface LVDS

TV support NTSC or PAL in S-video, composite, and component modes

I am sorry you will not be able to return the laptop for service to add a graphic card.

In order to assist you with a resolution, I would recommend that you contact the Part Sales Department. The Part Sales Department will be able to answer any questions about a product, make recommendations on items that will meet your needs, and provide pricing and availability information.

 

NBF user DMB14 tried this with a 6000. bought the video card and everything. no dice. you can't upgrade from integrated to dedicated unless you're willing to do some serious mods to your notebook. if that's your bag, go for it.

otherwise, make sure to set up an ebay account (if you don't already have one) so you have somewhere to sell your new GPU. hopefully you'll get at least half of your money back or more.