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    Upgrading Envy 15 (Gen 1) to ATI 5830 and USB3.0

    Discussion in 'HP' started by sakor1, Apr 28, 2010.

  1. sakor1

    sakor1 Notebook Consultant

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    So, I am thinking a bit later on this year of perhaps upgrading my Envy, as I would love to get USB3.0 and a bit more power on the gaming side would be great.

    Not wanting to fork out the money for a brand new one, I thought I might possibly be able to upgrade just the motherboard to the current model (i7 version), which would include the USB3 and 5830 graphics... and would cost me quite a bit less (my current specs are in signature)

    I just want to know if that would be possible? I assume that all the other parts are pretty much interchangeable, and from what I can see there were no significant changes to the chassis or anything else from Gen 1 to Gen 2.... If anyone could let me know that would be great.

    Thanks :)
     
  2. Star Forge

    Star Forge Quaggan's Creed Redux!

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    It will work perfectly but the price is steep. The system board will go for new around $450-$500 USD.
     
  3. johnnobts

    johnnobts Notebook Deity

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    yeah, if you wait a while you may be able to get a system board cheaper. i've been buying envy spare parts myself (have an entire envy beats chassis for backup).
     
  4. dapreview

    dapreview Notebook Consultant

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    where do you get Envy spare parts? (other than HP)
     
  5. dave.ladner

    dave.ladner Notebook Evangelist

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    This forum ;)
     
  6. sakor1

    sakor1 Notebook Consultant

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    Cool. Yeah, not cheap, but cheaper than a new system. I am not looking at it right now, probably later in the year once prices down a bit. I figure I can also sell my existing system board to make back some of that.
     
  7. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    a older expensive machine upgraded with new/used parts will *still* be an older, expensive system with no warranty.

    Considering the challenges people here seem to have with their Envy machines, that is something to consider.
     
  8. tuanster1119

    tuanster1119 Notebook Enthusiast

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    It just seems like it'd be more economical to sell your current system and buy a new one.
     
  9. dapreview

    dapreview Notebook Consultant

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  10. ggcvnjhg

    ggcvnjhg Notebook Evangelist

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  11. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'm tempted to bid $50- on that 'genuine voodoo envy' just for fun.

    Cars, boats, hobby farms, anorexic balloon sales-girls, and computers are black holes which suck up as much money as you care to pour into them.
     
  12. okashira

    okashira Notebook Consultant

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    LOL. What a pile. I wouldn't pay more then $250 for that machine.

    $2000 reserve. Poor guy.

    Massive amount of storage for a laptop? LOL. It has two 80gb 7200rpm power hogging drives. My Envy 15 will come with 320gb of SSD's...