NotebookForums.com › Forums › General Notebook Discussions › Notebook Guides › HOW-TO: Upgrade your 9400/E1705 with the 512MB 7900 GTX "Photo Guide"
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

HOW-TO: Upgrade your 9400/E1705 with the 512MB 7900 GTX "Photo Guide"

post #1 of 349
5/10/06 at 1:54pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all everyone has been asking for it so here it is!
How to get a 7900GTX in a Dell 9400, (I take no responsibility for damaging your laptop! do it at your own risk!)

Step 1
Load new A01 9400/E1705 Bios onto the laptop

Step 2
Remove Screen/Keyboard/palm rest from the laptop.

Step 2
Remove the original video card.

Step 3
Remove metal from above CPU heatsink area.




The left side needs more removing than the right side, I used some pliers to break off the edges. but a dremel may be better

Should be link this



Step 4

Fit new 7900gtx inplace and screw in



Step 6
Fit laptop back together, you should have a working system!

Have also confirmed you do need the XPS 130W power adapter, as the 90W dies when graphics card it at full power. also 9 cell battery as it will not last long on a 6 Cell

Hope you all find this helpfull!
LL
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 349
5/10/06 at 2:01pm
Nice job! Can't wait for the 7900 GTX to be available as a spare part!
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 349
5/10/06 at 2:19pm
Great! Thanks for the write-up
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 349
5/10/06 at 2:25pm
This needs a sticky...
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 349
5/10/06 at 2:32pm
Thread Starter 
how do you get a sticky, up to the mods?
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 349
5/10/06 at 2:32pm
Awesome thread, here's some well deserved rep
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 349
5/10/06 at 2:35pm
It's amusing that after the whole 9300 upgrade, Dell made it even EASIER to put a 7900 GTX into the 9400.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 349
5/10/06 at 2:44pm
Is the 9 cell battery required or recommended. I have a 1705 in the TESTING stage now that I got for about $1200 but I ordered it with the 6 cell because I will use it 95% of the time on ac power. Please let me know so I can cancel it if I have to and re-order it with the 9cell. Also can I get the 1705 shipped with the 130 watt power supply if I call them?
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 349
5/10/06 at 2:50pm
Thread Starter 
it will work with 6 cell, but won't last that long, still need the bigger 130w psu, not the standard 9400.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 349
5/10/06 at 3:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbosys
it will work with 6 cell, but won't last that long, still need the bigger 130w psu, not the standard 9400.

But if I have it plugged in 95% of the time will it matter. If it does I will cancel my order and re-order it with the 9 cell battery.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 349
5/10/06 at 3:17pm
if you don't have it on battery, it won't matter.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 349
5/10/06 at 3:18pm
ya, i NEVER use my xps gen-2 on battery, so i don't care about the battery... just, you can't order the e1705 with a 130w adapter, can you?
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 349
5/10/06 at 3:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Master_Axe
ya, i NEVER use my xps gen-2 on battery, so i don't care about the battery... just, you can't order the e1705 with a 130w adapter, can you?

No, I called Dell and it cannot be ordered with the 130w power supply. However I did see it available in parts for $69. I have a $100 coupon so I will just look for a $31 filler to get it free.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 349
5/10/06 at 3:26pm
Nice job mbosys.

OK bad news for the 9300/XPS2/M170 owners. Looks like the 7900 GTX will not fit into our mobo. Here's a pic of mbosys's 9400 with the 7900GTX and my 9300 with the 7800GTX. See where the red circle is, big problem.
LL
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 349
5/10/06 at 3:36pm
Where exactly did you use pliers and break on the left side? I can't tell from the picture.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 349
5/10/06 at 3:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by folide
No, I called Dell and it cannot be ordered with the 130w power supply. However I did see it available in parts for $69. I have a $100 coupon so I will just look for a $31 filler to get it free.

Ask for the DuraCell 130watt Auto/Air/AC Adapter... it's on option for the 9300/9400 models. And it'll share the same warranty as your system. =)
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 349
5/10/06 at 3:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5150 Joker
Where exactly did you use pliers and break on the left side? I can't tell from the picture.

both sides! you will see if you go to put one in the heatsink will to not fit!
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 349
5/10/06 at 3:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaxChris
Ask for the DuraCell 130watt Auto/Air/AC Adapter... it's on option for the 9300/9400 models. And it'll share the same warranty as your system. =)


Wish I knew that when ordering the 9400. Oh well guess I'll just buy one seperately too.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 349
5/10/06 at 3:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbosys
both sides! you will see if you go to put one in the heatsink will to not fit!


Ah ok, so is it some sort of metal post or something you have to break off?
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 349
5/10/06 at 4:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by totalmeltdown
Nice job mbosys.

OK bad news for the 9300/XPS2/M170 owners. Looks like the 7900 GTX will not fit into our mobo. Here's a pic of mbosys's 9400 with the 7900GTX and my 9300 with the 7800GTX. See where the red circle is, big problem.


That's just the Connector of the lights right? The Lights that say Caps locks is on, or WIFI, Bluetooth, and Number Lock, and Scroll lock right?

If I didn't want that, let's say and I just took it off and didn't have any lights, is it possible that the card could work then? or will the computer not even startup? lol.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Notebook Guides
NotebookForums.com › Forums › General Notebook Discussions › Notebook Guides › HOW-TO: Upgrade your 9400/E1705 with the 512MB 7900 GTX "Photo Guide"