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    XPS M1710 - What can I upgrade to? Upgrade help...

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by bruticus, Jul 30, 2009.

  1. bruticus

    bruticus Newbie

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    I have the T2400(1.83GHZ) CPU, 2 GB of ram, 100GB HD and the 512MB NVIDIA 7900 GTX...

    Could I upgrade all of these components to a much faster system? What should I upgrade? Whats possible to upgrade?

    CPU - I found that I can upgrade to a T7600 but the cheapest i've found is $235.00 really? For a 5 year old CPU? Seems surprising... seems like a lot... http://cgi.ebay.com/Mobile-Intel-Co...in_0?hash=item45ed44435c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14


    GPU.. My GPU is one of the fastest ones that I could get so I don't know if there is anything else I could upgrade to but I might want to anyway because the TV out on my current card doesn't work for some reason... What might I upgrade that to?
     
    bruticus, Jul 30, 2009
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  2. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You will see the best performance return by upgrading the CPU and MEM.

    I advise looking into moving to 4GB of memory. Mem for the M1710 is fairly cheap. Even if you are on a 32-bit OS I would still purchase x2 2GB sticks.

    As for the CPU, the max for the m1710 is a T7600 (as you already found). There was also a T7600G which is basically an unlocked multiplier. This was the first overclockable mobile CPU Dell implemented. It will be hard to find, but if you can locate one from a reputable seller and the price is right, I would go for it.

    Crucial Memory:
    http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=DA5D19F7A5CA7304

    Or check Newegg.com

    The GPU is fine. You wont perceive a difference moving from a 7900GTX to a 7950GTX (the 7950GTX is your max option for the M1710).
     
    BatBoy, Jul 30, 2009
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  3. bruticus

    bruticus Newbie

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    Thanks BatBoy..! Do you know how fast i'd be able to overclock the CPU to? And if i'd need a new fan or something?

    Also is there anyway for me to go to a 64bit OS? And then have more RAM? Would it help?
     
    bruticus, Jul 30, 2009
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  4. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The debate on 64-bit vs 32-bit is a lively one. Personally, I had no issues moving from 32-bit to 64-bit Vista on my old M1730.

    Benefits I saw from 64-bit Vista:

    Able to utilize 4GB and more of Memory (32-bit will only address 3.2xGB)
    System seemed more responsive (OS functions)

    I believe the T7600G is a 2.6Ghz CPU which can be overclocked to 2.8Ghz. I don't have the data in front of me so this might be incorrect.

    Given the age of the M1710 and the 7900GTX I would be certain to use a current NVIDIA driver as this will assist by lowering the GPU clock timings when not in 3D mode. Meaning, PowerMizer will downclock the card's timings to conserver power and reduce heat when you aren't running a game. This is new and was implemented with the 185.66 (and later) drivers.

    A cooler pad might be useful as well. Just always be sure the unit has free airflow (prop it up off the table surface). :)
     
    BatBoy, Jul 30, 2009
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