Vostro 1700 graphics card upgrade?

I've been wondering if anyone has attempted/succeeded in upgrading the best stock offering, the 8600M GT to anything better. I've recently upgraded the processor to a Penryn T9300M and now more than ever I can see that the graphics is really bottlenecking the system. I've got a WUXGA SEC panel, which is fantastic overall, but tends to give a sluggish feel to an otherwise great machine. I'm hoping someone has tried an 8700M GT or Quadro card. Advice?

 

Welcome to the forums.

Because laptops use a proprietary layout/connection, it is impossible to upgrade the video card beyond what is offered by the manufacturer.

 

I've seen Dell offering an FX 1600M on their precision line, also in a 17" format, and still have a hope that that's what'll make it possible. Of course, I know I'm smokin' the good stuff here, but great things happen when we don't take no for an answer, of course, disasters as well. It also occurs to me that the precision line looks very much like a compal frame and I'm thinking there may be some part generalizing going on to aid the cause.

 

There's a few topics out there that say this, but some of the Dell cards can be interchanged. You can probably use a card from a 1520 - all that would be required is switching the heat pipe from whatever you have now.

I've also read that 17'' laptops can be upgraded easier thanks to more space.

 

I would have thought that the graphics assembly can be upgraded, but I just don't know if Dell produced a 8700M GT in their proprietary format.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/vos1700/multilang/SM/graphics.htm#wp1179839

 

Not possible, as the 8600mGT is the fastest card offered in the 1700.

 

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