Upgrade LCD Screen?

I'm looking to upgrade the screen on my Dell 1520 from what I have now, 1280x800 to WSXGA+ (1680x1050) but I have a few questions that I was wondering if anyone could help me with:

1) My screen at the moment is fairly low resolution and I always find myself wishing for more "real estate" as it were but is the upgrade actually worth doing? Bearing in mind my systems spec (in sig) and it's age, about 18 months old.

2) How will my 8600M GT cope with the increased resolution? I play games like Company of Heroes and Team Fortress 2 and whilst they play ok on my current setup will the increased resolution stress the graphics card?

3) Lastly, has anyone else done this? Is it easy? If I do go ahead does anyone know where I can get a new screen from in the UK (preferably online I guess but that's not important)?

Sorry for all the questions but if you can't ask you never know right!
Thank you for any help

 

Sunday morning bump

 

1) How much does it cost?

2) Your card will struggle @ 1680x1050, to the point of losing a huge chunk of performance. The 8600M GT isn't built for gaming above 1280x800.

3) Try calling Kobalt Computers.

 

1) No, the upgrade isn't worth it
2) Yes.. 8600M GT will cope with the increased resolution perfectly fine.
3) yes, its very easy

 

1) I think this is quite subjective. If you feel like you need more screen estate, and you think it's worth more than the cost of the screen and the manpower it takes to replace it... it's worth it. Else, it's not.

2) You can always run your games below the native resolution, at 1280 x 800.

3) I've replaced a few screens, but not a 1520 screen in particular... it should still be fairly straightforward. The only thing I'd worry about is losing or ruining those silly rubber bumpers that Dell likes to place over the screws. Dell provides instructions, too:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1520/en/sm/display.htm#wp1179838

 

Thanks you 3 for your answers

I'm guessing around £100, which is probably half as much as this entire notebook is now worth...at a guess, but i've yet to find any UK people/companies selling a 1680x1050 screen

Slightly conflicting haha but i'm sure if I were to go ahead with it I could find out if it'll handle it for sure, something in the back of my mind is telling me the 1520 + 8600M GT had the buying option of 1680x1050, but i could be making that up in my mind.

Thanks for the link, that'll come in handy if i go ahead with it. I guess your right about it being subjective, im just in two minds as to whether to upgrade the notebook i've currently got or simply buy a new one. The one I have now does everything I need it to (granted not all games play at great levels but atleast it can play them) but then im a bit of a sucker for "new" technology.

Oh and I lost one of those rubber bumpers when i took my notebook apart
Bad times

 

Trust me, the 8600M GT will not do too well at that high of a resolution. You will want to lower the resolution when you play newer games, if 30 frames per second means anything to you. The realm above WXGA+ is for 256-bit cards, which the 8600M GT isn't.

I used to have a Vostro 1500, so I have a lot of experience with this GPU.

If all else fails, just call Dell and ask them for one.

 

If thats the case then I guess I may aswell put the money to one side and use it towards a new Notebook later in the year/next year