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    Upgrading video card in Vostro 1500

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Tsunade_Hime, Oct 23, 2010.

  1. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Has anybody done this before? Service manual has showed the video card is removable and there was an upgrade for the 1500 (when my mom bought this for me for college I didn't upgrade it, it was 100 more).

    Dell Part number is UW390, it's a 256MB nVidia 8600M GT. Don't know exactly what the connector is, but it was removable when I upgraded the CPU (same path for the heatpipe).

    [​IMG]

    I know there's a pretty big difference if performance, 8400M GS is entry level, 8600M GT is a midrange card. Also is there a higher end card to upgrade to?
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Oct 23, 2010
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  2. SomeFormOFhuman

    SomeFormOFhuman has the dumbest username.

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    Removable, yes. But the 8600M GT is the highest supported option for the Vostro 1500 due to its proprietary connector design unlike other notebooks with standard MXM module(s).
     
    SomeFormOFhuman, Oct 23, 2010
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  3. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Ah, yeah I've been reading around. Haven't had problems with the 8400M GS besides not running games on medium-high settings.

    Spend 400 upgrading it vs buying a new laptop. Plus I love my Vostro 1500 :D
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Oct 23, 2010
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  4. SomeFormOFhuman

    SomeFormOFhuman has the dumbest username.

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    I would say it isn't worth paying $400 for the upgrade. If I were you, I would just keep it then, I would save up a little more for a more powerful machine with new graphics and better hardware.

    For now, I would just maintain your notebook for dust and keep temperatures low for your 8400M GS.
     
    SomeFormOFhuman, Oct 23, 2010
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  5. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Well here's the thing;

    I've been looking for a new laptop around 800ish range. I want a fast dual core like Core i5, but powerful discreet graphics, preferably Dell. I have yet to find a model which has this configuration. I saw a Vostro 3700 with Core i5, Win 7 Pro x64, and a GT425 gpu (which is only entry level) and that was 1000.

    There was an ASUS G62 a few months back with 2.4 Core 2 Duo and a GTX260M for like 1000 new, but I didn't have enough money at that time.

    I already have an uber gaming rig Core i7, GTX 460, SSD, 6 GB Corsair Dominator RAM, but I've always wanted to upgrade my Vostro.

    When I meant 400, I meant total upgrade;

    I got a new battery, put a 60 GB SSD in it, got a new processor, 4 GB RAM, new graphics card, replace the keyboard, and even maybe go to a 1440x900 LCD.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Oct 23, 2010
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  6. Judicator

    Judicator Judged and found wanting.

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    Were you looking for a 15 inch? Dell has a new XPS 15 that they just announced, starting at $850, but as you pile on the options, prices go up.
     
    Judicator, Oct 23, 2010
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