Both my laptops are down!

[Mize]

Ouch! I wouldn't even know where to shop for gpus for laptops, but you could probably buy an entire used laptop for quite a bit less.

 

[digitalwanderer]

You can buy new ones for that now, it's a dilemma.

 

[Mize]

Push Dell for a freebie maybe?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=193391

 

[Mize]

Unless that GPU is in a socket:
http://www.parts-people.com/images/products/FF055.JPG
Then you're replacing the entire motherboard.

 

[Mize]

Interesting. There are two e1705s:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Case-S...ard-of-a-Dell-Inspiron-E1705-9400.4187.0.html

 

[digitalwanderer]

That second one is mine, with the replaceable GPU. I know, I was in there and saw it.

I'm almost tempted to tear it down again and try pulling/reseating the heatsink on the GPU. I doubt it'll do any good, but it's about all I can try before buying a new video card for it.

 

[Mize]

Where does one buy a new video card for it anyway? Is it one of those MXM cards?

 

[digitalwanderer]

Lots of places, plus there is always Ebay.

I haven't seriously started hunting yet, I tried a bit and it depressed me. I gotta figure out first which GPU I want and then I'll get all focused. (Or at least narrow it down to 2 or 3 to hunt!)

I'm still trying to figure out what the best card I can get is and what limitations/advantages the different ones will bring, then I'll start hunting seriously and hopefully be able to get one I like for under $200.

EDITED BITS: I think this is the one I want, I just gotta find a better deal. It involves a very slight bit of case modding, but seems like it's worth it.

 

[Davros]

Specs for that card
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-Quadro-FX-2500M.2130.0.html

 

[digitalwanderer]

Ah, so I probably want this 7950 then?

Is there any ATi equivalent?

 

[digitalwanderer]

Also the FX3500M would be good, it's the quatro of the 7950 GTX.

But $455?

 

[AlNom]

Also the FX3500M would be good, it's the quatro of the 7950 GTX.

But $455?

Workstation card, workstation price.

 

[Davros]

also look at this quote about the 7950
"It enables the user to play all current (10/2006) games fluently in the highest resolutions and options. As a consequence, the heat is correspondingly high. Therefore it can be used only in DTR laptops (17")."

 

[digitalwanderer]

E1705, it is a 17" laptop. I'll have to snap a couple of pieces of metal off the case near the CPU vent to fit in the second heat pipe and mebbe buy myself a new brick. (I think I have the 90w AC charger and they recommend the 150w if you get a 7950)

Hell, I'm still trying to figure out what the ATi equivalent mobility GPUs are besides the X1400 & X1600...I'm not sure there are any others.

I'm not buying anything yet, still in the extreme looking stage. Thankfully the 8200 is running fine so my wife stole that from me until I can get hers working again, so we're really not under any ginormous time pressure.

Well, at least until I run out of patience waiting/worrying/thinking about it. I figure about 3-4 days.

 

[digitalwanderer]

Now I'm using this thread to make notes so I don't forget as well as get opinions.

Just found out I could upgrade my C2D T5200 for a C2D T7200-T7600. The T7600s are pricey for that 2.2Ghz, but the T7200 seems reasonable for 2Ghz.

The T7400 seems to vary, might try and hunt down one of them.

Think I might as well drop an extry $80 and upgrade my wife's CPU too? The difference 'tween 1.6Ghz & 2Ghz can be pretty extreme with a decent GPU, and the double cache can't hurt.

Sure I can kiss its battery life bye-bye, but I also would get to rename her "Nova" or something.

 

[Sxotty]

Why aren't you just buying one with a broken screen and swapping parts? Or something similar. (Note I did not read whole thread). I had a laptop crap out, either the motherboard of PS in the computer never really sure what it was, but int he process of messing about I broke a piece off the mother board so it was time anyway. I got a better CPU, bluetooth module, and other goodies out of the deal so it wasn't bad. Then I used the spare parts from the broken laptop to build my car PC.

 

[digitalwanderer]

Because I haven't found one yet? Seriously, I am looking...it's just hard to find a busted one that has what I'm looking for on it. (Hell, it's hard to find a busted one period!)

 

[Davros]

The difference 'tween 1.6Ghz & 2Ghz can be pretty extreme with a decent GPU,

No it cant, its 25%. In games you may get 15%

 

[digitalwanderer]

Meh, I found one going for $1 and put a $2.50 bid in on it anyways.

 

[Frank]

Probably a stupid question, but you did clear all the dust, including the thick layers that look like filters when you had it open, did you?