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    Customizing your Dell....

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by AtParker, Jun 23, 2007.

  1. AtParker

    AtParker Notebook Consultant

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    Alright so I'm looking at buying a D830 Latitude laptop from Dell, but the GPU just isnt what I'm looking for what so ever. Does anyone have experience ordering a laptop and trying to get a different graphics card put in it that isnt listed as one of the options on the web site? I'm trying to get a card from their inspirion line into the D830. You think they will allow it?
     
    AtParker, Jun 23, 2007
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  2. net_xport

    net_xport Notebook Geek

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    You can only add graphics card listed for that model. You can't take a 7950 GTX from XPS 1710 and add to a D830. Again? What are you using the laptop for? Work, School, Gaming??? I believe most of us here has lots of experience ordering from dell.
     
    net_xport, Jun 23, 2007
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  3. AtParker

    AtParker Notebook Consultant

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    This will be my first time ordering from them. I'm going to be using the laptop mainly for college (writting papers, presentations, etc) but also for some gaming in the dorm during boring nights. I love the durability, size, price, everything about the D830 Latitude except the graphics card. I saw a decent one in an Inspirion and wanted to know if it was possible to take that one and put it in a Latitude. There has to be some way to get a better card in there right?
     
    AtParker, Jun 23, 2007
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  4. ScifiMike12

    ScifiMike12 Drinking the good stuff

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    The only way in your case is to order/customize a different model.

    Mike.
     
    ScifiMike12, Jun 23, 2007
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  5. net_xport

    net_xport Notebook Geek

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    Maybe it's possible. But i'm sure dell is not going to make exceptions for 1 customer. You know, i wish they'd offer 7950 GTX's on all of their models, unfortunately they don't. The NVS 140m is pretty good. From what i've read it's similar to a 8400 GT. When i get my D630 with the Quadro 135M, i'll do a comprehensive benchmark and post it here. Hopefully that would help. I will be going now....
     
    net_xport, Jun 23, 2007
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  6. AtParker

    AtParker Notebook Consultant

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    Hey that would be great net_xport.. Thanks alot man
     
    AtParker, Jun 23, 2007
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  7. odin243

    odin243 Notebook Prophet

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    The NVS 140m benchmarks similarly to last generations performance cards like the 7600/x1600, so it should be good enough for casual gaming. In your case, there is no way to get a better graphics card in the D830.
     
    odin243, Jun 23, 2007
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  8. AtParker

    AtParker Notebook Consultant

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    Hmm that sucks. I wonder why they cant do that. But I suppose that card should be able to do the trick with some drivers.
     
    AtParker, Jun 23, 2007
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  9. Homer_Jay_Thompson

    Homer_Jay_Thompson blathering blatherskite

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    Business users do not have much of a need for video cards.
     
    Homer_Jay_Thompson, Jun 23, 2007
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  10. AtParker

    AtParker Notebook Consultant

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    Ya def. But I guess from watching the commercials I assumed you could customize just about anything. Newbie mistake I suppose.
     
    AtParker, Jun 23, 2007
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  11. SVrider

    SVrider Notebook Geek

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    Dell offers a service called "Custom Factory Integration" Its not an option when you configure online, you have to get someone on the phone. Basically if there is a graphics card you want in there and will for sure work with mobo and chipset, you can a) buy it from them and have them install it or b) buy it elsewhere and send it to them to install. I'm not 100% sure what it costs but I remember seeing it as an option on the Lats
     
    SVrider, Jun 23, 2007
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  12. AtParker

    AtParker Notebook Consultant

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    Oh wow that is great! Thanks for the info I'll give it a try.
     
    AtParker, Jun 23, 2007
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  13. odin243

    odin243 Notebook Prophet

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    Custom Factory Integration is a decent option, though unfortunately I'm fairly certain that their are no other cards (at this time) that work with the D830 motherboard. It's possible some newer cards, such as the ones offered with the e1520, will work, but that laptop hasn't even been anounced yet.
     
    odin243, Jun 23, 2007
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  14. mcarroll

    mcarroll Notebook Geek

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    from what i've heard, the 140m should do ok for light gaming, but if you're not worried about portable gaming, then you should get an ok graphics card for your laptop, and build a suitable desktop rig for your dorm...itll be cheaper, and have better performance. If you only plan on playing in the dorm, then that seems like a good solution. Semi-redundant, maybe, but it seems like a much more viable option.
     
    mcarroll, Jun 23, 2007
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  15. Rowen

    Rowen Notebook Consultant

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    I've never heard of this Custom Factory Integration option before, though it sounds interesting. Then again, as others have mentioned, it is unlikely they will allow for any other cards than what is currently being offered. Dell does not use MXM graphics cards for their laptops, (to my better knowledge) thus you will not be able to buy a card on your own and install it. Keep in mind, laptops are originally designed with particular GPUs in mind right from the start. The more powerful the card, the larger it becomes in tandem with higher energy requirements and greater heat output. The new Inspiron 1520 for instance is a thicker design from the E1505/6400, in order to allow for the more powerful 8600 GT. As the Latitude line did not change for the Santa Rosa/DX10 GPU refresh, it is unlikely they will be able to fit anything more powerful in them than something in the 8400M line.

    Nevertheless, any info you gather from communicating with Dell about this Custom Factory Integration would be great to hear about. Good luck!
     
    Rowen, Jun 23, 2007
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  16. AtParker

    AtParker Notebook Consultant

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    I'll be sure to post what I find out. Thx for the help/info
     
    AtParker, Jun 23, 2007
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