Best graphix solution available in DV2000 series laptop with AMD?

Hi again everyone! I bought a DV2000 with a failed motherboard. I tried reflowing it once and it didnt work. I will more than likely be replacing the mobo after I try reflowing once more.

It currently has a gforce 6150 igp with an athlon tk53. I am wanting to get a mobo with the best graphix solution possible. So far, the best I have found is a gforce 7150 board. I know there are intel setups with gforce 8200 but I would prefer to stick with amd, although an intel board is not completely out of the question.

So, if you know what the best graphix solution is, let me know! Post up the exact model number so that I can get a mobo part number. Or, just post what you got if its better than a 7150 gforce!

Thanks!!


Nick

 

AFAIK, they did offer the 8400M GS based models but only on the Intel based models. The AMD versions used only the 6150/7150M combo. But keep in mind that the 7150M was offered on the dv2500 and later models and the motherboard layout might be slightly different from the earlier dv2000 models even though they shared the same chassis. Plus, the 7150M motheboards also had an optional HDMI and eSATA USB combo port which were not offered in the earlier models...so might not exactly fit in the chassis without some modifications.

 

Hehe modifications dont scare me! I have been looking at the 7150 boards and everything looks good. Just have to get a new HSF. Will probably do a new processor also. One question though- the 6150 board had like a gel/playdough type substance between the northbridge (integrated graphics chip) and the HSF. Its not normal thermal compund/paste. What is it and where can I get it?

Thanks!!

 

It is less effective than a copper shim and Arctic Silver but harder to screw up. Since you're clearly feeling adventurous I'd consider buying Arctic Silver adhesive and using that to paste a shim to the heatsink to fill the gap left by the thermal pad and the usual Arctic Silver compound between the shim and chip. Done correctly it should result in much better northbridge temps but it's a lot of work. Arctic Clean does an amazing job of cleaning up the crud left by the pad, etc.

Honestly, if reflowing doesn't work you're better off selling the notebook on eBay as broken for the big parts dealers to break down and spend your money on a newer notebook with ATI graphics chips that are vastly more reliable. Not as fun as repairing of course.

 

Hmmmmm...... That sounds like a lot of work! HAHA! Can I just get the putty like stuff that is already in there?


Upon further review, I dont think it would cost much more to just do an Intel board with the 8400. Again, the pics look good and Im sure I can make it work. Would just need mobo, processor, and HSF. I think I can get all that for under $300. That puts her in a very nice laptop with less than 400 out of my pocket. Something in that range would cost in excess of 700 new. Best of all, I can play a few games on it when were out of town!