Where the heck can I find an 8800M?

[FireChicken]

I am looking to replace my current mobile graphics card and I want to replace it with and 8800M but I cant seem to find one any where. All the large etailers don't seem to have them.

Are they even avail for purchase outside of having to buy them pre-installed in a notebook?

 

[Syntax Error]

What laptop do you have? I hope you've broached into this topic before, because graphics upgradeabilty on laptops is a lot more limited than on desktops.

There are vendors in Europe that sell these 8800Ms AFAIK, supply on these cards are quite limited, and expect to pay around $600 for the MXM card.

 

[FireChicken]

I have a dell inspiron 1520 with an 8600M GT. I think that has the same interface slot? Now size of the card and room inside my laptop may be another issue. $600 yeesh... I was expecting the price of their desk top counter parts.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Nah, laptop components are almost always more expensive than desktop counterparts, and when its for the latest stuff e.g. 8800M, the price margin is rather large.

 

[Syntax Error]

You most likely (probably won't) be able to upgrade that laptop's graphics, even though the 1520 DOES have MXMII card, the MXM standard is hardly ubiquitous and Dell is notorious for making proprietary cards. The situation may be that your card might have the right slot but the PCB won't fit around with the other components in the case.

And not to mention that the 8800M requires a lot of power and generates a lot of heat, your card will be VERY toasty inside, if it'll even fit to begin with.

I'm surprised you didn't look into this much before, but laptop components are hardly upgradeable aside from HDD, CPU, and RAM.

 

[FireChicken]

Not good news. But guess I guess thats what you guys are for. Educating nOObs like me.

 

[Syntax Error]

Yeah, sorry to burst your bubble, but better this than after you buy a $600 paperweight.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: Syntax Error
You most likely (probably won't) be able to upgrade that laptop's graphics, even though the 1520 DOES have MXMII card, the MXM standard is hardly ubiquitous and Dell is notorious for making proprietary cards. The situation may be that your card might have the right slot but the PCB won't fit around with the other components in the case.

And not to mention that the 8800M requires a lot of power and generates a lot of heat, your card will be VERY toasty inside, if it'll even fit to begin with.

I'm surprised you didn't look into this much before, but laptop components are hardly upgradeable aside from HDD, CPU, and RAM.

I have seen laptops with the CPU soldered into the motherboard so it isn't upgradeable either...

RAM and HDD is the only thing you are practically gaurenteed to upgrade. And doing so usually voids your warranty.

Anyways, even with an 8800M you will still be seeing lower performance then a desktop in games. Laptops are just not meant to run video games. and with a 600$ price tag you might as well build a whole new desktop system based on an 8800GT (you can find 512MB ones for as low as 200$ after MIR, 100$ cpu, 80$ mobo, 30$ DDR2 ram, 30$ case and 50$ PSU, and 50$ HDD and you got a system for 550$, 50$ less then the upgrade for the lappy, and it will outperform it)