Upgrading the Dell Latitude D630

Hi, I just recently purchased a D630 for college use. At the time when I was customizing my system, the Dell site didn't have the nVIDIA NVS135 card available, so I had to go with the integrated X3100 from Intel. I heard that a dedicated graphics card can, besides leading to better graphics, improve battery life. Is the X3100 okay to use? Will it drain my battery considerably more?

Also, just to make sure, if I wanted to get a dedicated graphics card, then Dell would have to use an entire new motherboard right? I read the "Upgrading Mobile Graphics Cards" sticky, but I just wanted to make sure. Thanks in advance

 

Congratulations on the new machine, the D630 is about as solid as they come.

First things first - you can't upgrade the graphics card, sorry. Yes that would require a motherboard change.

Actually a dedicated graphics card will decrease your battery life, sometimes substantially.

The X3100 is fine for general usage and older (pre-2003 generally speaking) games.

 

Do you have the computer yet, or is it still being built? If you have the computer, then yes you would have to get a new motherboard which would be prohibitively expensive, but if it's still in production you should be able to call them and switch to the dedicated graphics. And for clarification, the X3100 should use less (though not much less) power than the NVS 135m, so it should give you better battery life.

 

If you think that you would rather have dedicated graphics, call Dell and change/cancel your order. You should receive what you want: you will likely have this machine for a few years.

 

To clarify even further:

When gaming for extended periods of time, higher powered cards can yield better battery life because they don't have to work as hard. However, this comparison is between two dedicated graphics cards. I'm pretty sure the integrated card would use even less power and just not run the game as well .

 

I already have the laptop, so I guess upgrading is out of the question . I'm not looking to do any serious gaming or running graphics-heavy applications so I'm fine. Thanks for all the info/advice you guys, I appreciate it .