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Upgrade steps

post #1 of 5
10/12/07 at 10:24am
Thread Starter 
Hello all!

I'm going to sound like a bit of an idiot (especially with this being my first post), but really I want to see some good input on the next steps I should take.

Here's my current system:

Inspiron 9400/E1705 Notebook: Intel Core Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)
Bluetooth Wireless Card
Primary Battery, 80W
Genuine Windows XP Media Center 2005
100 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
17 inch UltraSharp Wide Screen UXGA Notebook Screen (1920x1200)
Intel Pro Wireless 3945
Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio Software Edition
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz (2 DIMMs)
90W AC Adapter
256MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GS
BIOS rev A09

Here's what I have on the way:
WD2500BEVS 250GB Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
2GB kit (1GBx2), 200-pin SODIMM, DDR2 PC2-5300
Windows Vista Ultimate

Here's how I use the laptop:
It's normally plugged in (98% of the time). It was basically a desktop replacement. I do some gaming, but want to be able to do more. I watch videos on it too.

Here are my questions:
What are the processors I could upgrade to with this MB?
Could I upgrade the video card?
Should I look at overclocking?
Is there a Blu-Ray drive that will work for me?
Any other things I should look at changing?

Thanks a lot!!
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post #2 of 5
10/12/07 at 12:01pm
1. Fastest Processor T7600 2.33Ghz
2. Best Video Nvidia 7950GTX. Requires 130 watt power brick. Or you could go with the fx-2500m or fx-3500m and flash them to a 7900-7950GTX. This is cheaper than a 7950GTX
3. Can only overclock video not cpu
4. Vista will slightly take away from game performance. I run it and I love it but it does slightly drop performance in games.
5. I really don't know if blue-ray works in the 9400/1705. I don't think it does but can't be sure
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post #3 of 5
10/12/07 at 12:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by melshaw View Post
1. Fastest Processor T7600 2.33Ghz 2. Best Video Nvidia 7950GTX. Requires 130 watt power brick. Or you could go with the fx-2500m or fx-3500m and flash them to a 7900-7950GTX. This is cheaper than a 7950GTX 3. Can only overclock video not cpu 4. Vista will slightly take away from game performance. I run it and I love it but it does slightly drop performance in games. 5. I really don't know if blue-ray works in the 9400/1705. I don't think it does but can't be sure
Thanks for the information! Some questions: 1. Prices look to be in the low $400's for the processor. Will my bios revision support the chip? Are there any tricks to replacing this chip? Should I really even bother? 2. Wow...130 watt power brick. On the rare occation I'd be on battery power, my laptop would last what...45mins? Where's a good store (online or brick & mortar) to get a fx-2500m/fx-3500m? I assume (although I hate doing that) either of the fx's require the same power brick? 3. Understood. I won't worry about this yet. 4. I thought that was the case. I don't think this will bug me too much. 5. Bummer. I wish there was a drive that would load in my drive slot.
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post #4 of 5
10/12/07 at 12:36pm
1. Proccessor will drop right in, no need for any modding or flashing.
2. your talking about a 500Mhz jump in speed so the change should be noticable
3. Ebay
4. You'll still get 2 + hours of battery life out of the machine
5. If you don't want to upgrade the video card you can flash your 7900gs and get better game performance out of it.
6. The blue-ray will slide right in to your current machine I just don't know if your mobo and bios will recognize it.
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post #5 of 5
10/12/07 at 3:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by melshaw View Post
1. Proccessor will drop right in, no need for any modding or flashing. 2. your talking about a 500Mhz jump in speed so the change should be noticable 3. Ebay 4. You'll still get 2 + hours of battery life out of the machine 5. If you don't want to upgrade the video card you can flash your 7900gs and get better game performance out of it. 6. The blue-ray will slide right in to your current machine I just don't know if your mobo and bios will recognize it.
Awesome, so... 1. Just a little Arctic Silver, and I'm ready to roll 2. Nice, just wanted to make sure 3. I'll check there soon...actually I need to check there for a 130/150w brick too 4. That's longer than I expected. I'll make sure to download/install the utilities for the power saving tweaks so I can adjust the system when it's on battery. 5. I was just doing some searching and reading on this forum about that. I'll for sure do it until I get the funds for the 7950gtx/fx-3500m 6. Do you know/have a part # for the drive? If it's not too expensive...I might just try it. Maybe a little more searching around here will turn something up
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