Inspiron 9300 Graphics Upgradability?

[Fenuxx]

I know that the XPS-Gen2 supports a "graphics upgrade program", but does that work with the i9300 also? I am currently using the GeForce Go 6800, but would like to know that if in the future, I would possibly be able to upgrade the graphics\have the graphics upgraded. I would hope so, as this thing cost alot for me, and since the new GPU's are getting ready to be released, I'm sure NVIDIA\ATI are also working on mobile versions as well. Anyways, thanks for the help .

 

[Fenuxx]

Anyone?

 

[fbrdphreak]

I will say doubtful but not impossible. Best way to find out is tear open your 9300 and see if the GPU is soldered or modular.

 

[ShellGuy]

And void ur warranty at the same time...


Will G.

 

[RobsTV]

I9300 and XPS2 are basically the same thing except for video.
It is a replaceable PCIe module.
Heat pipe is a little different, but it should work.

So you should be able to replace i9300 6800 with XPS2 6800 Ultra, for about a 30% boost in performance.

If a future card comes out for XPS2, you should also be able to use it with i9300.

(Edit: After checking Dell forums, XPS2 video card, 6800 Ultra, confirmed it will fit and function in the i9300 instead of stock 6800. But, Bios does not correctly see card, so it runs at reduced power mode, or slower than it should. Bios would need updated. That has been done. XPS2 bios into i9300. Next issue is power supply. XPS2 uses 150w, while i9300 uses 90w?. In any event, future looks good for upgrade, as long as Bios and power needs are met).

These are the easiest laptops to completely disassemble.
First timer can have it completely torn down in less than 30 minutes, and torn down enough for video in about 15 minutes. Great step by step guide available at Dell website.

Another performance boost many are doing with i9300 is replacing the 533MHz FSB CPU with a 400MHz version. 1.8Ghz (400MHz) P-M runs at 2.4Ghz with this method. That's pretty good considering the fastest P-M sold is 2.1GHz.

All this info and more can be found at notebookforums.com in the Dell section.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
And void ur warranty at the same time...


Will G.

Dell sends people parts all the time to replace on their own, so this is debatable

 

[Valkerie]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
And void ur warranty at the same time...


Will G.

Dell sends people parts all the time to replace on their own, so this is debatable

That may be true for desktops, however with laptops, you may have to ship your unit to Dell if you want to guarantee that your PC will remain under warranty. Call Dell first, but be aware that because they are a fast growing cloning company, they'll throw at you a ton of excuses and ridiculous ideas to make you spend more money...
(i.e.-"upgrade graphics?" dell: "yes" = but wait, didn't say whether it was AGP, PCI, PCI-e)

 

[RobsTV]

Let's put it this way.

The Dell XPS or i9100 had an ATi mr9700.
Later, Dell came out with an "Upgrade" that allowed owners to upgrade the laptop to ATi 9800 Pro.
They could buy the card from Dell, and install it themselves.

So chances of upgrading i9300 are better than not. It is made to be upgraded. They even show you how to replace it.

 

[yezhou]

I believe the video card is upgradable, as I've seen a number of people upgrade to the 6800 Ultra Go over at NotebookForums.

You can find instructions over on the Dell site on how to remove the video card, along with every other component on the i9300. Click Here.

 

[RamIt]

RobsTV has it mostly correct.

To run the 6800 ultra in the 9300 you need:

XPS2 bios
130w power supply
9 cell battery
the ultra card


It will run at a reduced clock rate if you dont update the bios.
It will not boot without the proper battery and or power supply if you update the bios.
The ultra in the XPS2 uses a combined 110w of power under full load hence the need for the proper power supply.

 

[ShellGuy]

I really doubt they would send him a video card to replace on his own... But then again this is dell..

Will G.

 

[Mike01]

Isn't the real issue how much it will cost and will it even be worth it?

By the time a game comes out that the 6800 go can't play extremely well, it's a sure bet the 6800 ultra isn't going to do much better.

Not too long ago, people with the GeForce 2 wished they had the the GeForce 2 Ultra...both cards became obsolete at pretty much the same time. Before that, it was the TNT2 and the TNT2 Ultra. Before that....etc. etc. etc.

 

[RobsTV]

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
I really doubt they would send him a video card to replace on his own... But then again this is dell..

Will G.

Are you using a weird browser?
Seems like something is wrong because you are missing half the posts.

Not only will Dell send a video card out, they will give you a huge discount if you install it yourself! And you keep full warranty!

Here is an example:
http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=85946

$260 shipped for mr9800 Pro doesn't sound too bad for a laptop upgrade.
That is for XPS or i9100, which are old discontiuned models.

For the XPS2 and i9300, the 6800 Ultra is $296 from Dell, which is less than desktop 6800 ultra's.
I think it should be about 30% faster than stock 6800.
In a year or two, when the stock 6800 shows it age, who knows what if any upgrades will be available.
Based on the previous model, it looks like a good possibility.

 

[ND40oz]

Originally posted by: RobsTV

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
I really doubt they would send him a video card to replace on his own... But then again this is dell..

Will G.

Are you using a weird browser?
Seems like something is wrong because you are missing half the posts.

Not only will Dell send a video card out, they will give you a huge discount if you install it yourself! And you keep full warranty!

Here is an example:
http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=85946

$260 shipped for mr9800 Pro doesn't sound too bad for a laptop upgrade.
That is for XPS or i9100, which are old discontiuned models.

For the XPS2 and i9300, the 6800 Ultra is $296 from Dell, which is less than desktop 6800 ultra's.
I think it should be about 30% faster than stock 6800.
In a year or two, when the stock 6800 shows it age, who knows what if any upgrades will be available.
Based on the previous model, it looks like a good possibility.

Just get Dell certified on the inspirons and they'll send you out anything. I've had bare motherboards, cases, keyboards, lcds sent out for lattitudes. You don't even have to speak to anyone, login to the website and order the part you need. As long as you take their certification, you're good to go on any parts.

 

[ShellGuy]

Can you link or pm that cert page?



Will G

 

[RobsTV]

From Tom's hardware, looks like a lower power ATi solution may be a better upgrade for the lower powered i9300.

http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20050606_131933.html

Features of the notebook chip are comparable to the desktop processor. The Mobility Radeon X800 XT integrates 16 pipelines, six vertex shaders and support for up to 256 MByte 256-bit GDDR3 memory. The PCI Express-based processor is built in 0.13 nm, allows screen resolutions up to QXGA (2048 x 1536 pixel). A surpising feature is a significantly lower consumption than the competing Nvidia chip: In contrast to the more than 65 watts of the GeForce Go 6800 Ultra, ATI's mobile chips consumer only 35 watts, according to an AT spokeswoman.

Also, you do not need to be Dell certified to be able to receive and replace you own parts. It helps, because you then will not need to talk to a tech first to obtain part number. But, if you talk to Dell tech on the phone, and explain that you know how to replace (he will ask you a couple simple questions to see if you are bluffing), then Dell tech will authorize shipment of replacement parts for you to install. If you know the part number, Dell spare parts could care less about anything. Just order it and they will send it, regardless of tech status. Part numbers are obtained at notebookforums Dell section.

Another simple method many use to get around stupid phone reps that don't want to send parts is to state that your company has a Dell certified tech on staff, and he will replace the parts. Most use this method for everyday warranty work, because they would rather replace the parts themselves instead of having some idiot work on their baby. All they need are the parts, and this simple method works in most cases. They don't check or confirm this. Or just hang up and get another rep.

Warranty repairs are different than upgrades, and the above applies mainly to warranty repairs or warranty parts replacement.

Upgrades require nothing except part number.
They encourage you to replace it yourself by offering you a discount when you do.
They never ask, and could care less, about your qualifications when upgrading.

 

[ryanv12]

Well, I wouldn't bother with a go6800 Ultra upgrade. I just ordered my Dell 9300, and it would be nice if they offer a go7800 variant. This will probably be a 90nm process, and hopefully I might not even have to upgrade my power supply. That would be a nice graphics upgrade

 

[fbrdphreak]

Dell 9300's most likely do not support user replaceable graphics, even if they did a 7800 is a big leap. Last I heard NVIDIA was having trouble with the 90nm process and getting the yields they wanted; they are currently producing the 7800's on a 110nm process but there is a chance they might move to 90nm if they decide to bring 7800's to the mobile frontier.

 

[ryanv12]

If the module is the same size it should work...even with modifying.

Either way I have a desktop as a primary gaming machine. I would look to upgrade this notebook's graphics in maybe 2 years. Surely nvidia would have fixed their 90nm go7800 variants

Either way, I'm not exactly counting on it, but I'm hopeful that I can upgrade the i9300's graphics.