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17 inch Video Card Compatibility

post #1 of 59
10/16/09 at 12:27am
Thread Starter 

I will make this list more readable later. This is just a template to get me started.  An important note is that users with integrated graphics cannot upgrade their integrated video card with any of the discrete video cards listed below.  This is because your motherboard does not support discrete cards.

Inspiron 9300
ATI X300
ATI X600
Nvidia 6800 go (aka 6800 go vanilla)
Nvidia 6800 go Ultra***
Nvidia 7800 go GTX***

XPS2 / XPS M170
ATI X300
ATI X600
Nvidia 6800 go (aka 6800 go vanilla)
Nvidia 6800 go Ultra
Nvidia 7800 go GTX

Inspiron 9400 / Inspiron E1705
ATI X1400

Nvidia 7800 go (aka 7800 go vanilla)
Nvidia 7900 go GS (possible mod: break a post for two heatpipes)
Quadro FX1500M (mod: break a post for two heatpipes)
Nvidia 7900 go GTX (mod: break a post for two heatpipes)
Quadro FX2500M (mod: break a post for two heatpipes)
Nvidia 7950 GTX (mod: break a post for two heatpipes)
Quadro FX3500M (mod: break a post for two heatpipes)

Quadro FX1600M (mod: break a post for two heatpipes)*

XPS M1710
ATI X1400
Nvidia 7800 go (aka 7800 go vanilla)
Nvidia 7900 go GS
Quadro FX1500M
Nvidia 7900 go GTX
Quadro FX2500M
Nvidia 7950 GTX
Quadro FX3500M

Quadro FX1600M*

Precision M90
ATI X1400
Nvidia 7800 go (aka 7800 go vanilla)
Nvidia 7900 go GS
Quadro FX1500M
Nvidia 7900 go GTX
Quadro FX2500M
Nvidia 7950 GTX
Quadro FX3500M

Quadro FX1600M*

XPS M1730
Nvidia 8700M (both single and SLI)
Nviida 8800M GTX SLI
Nvidia 9800M GT SLI
Nvidia 9800M GTX SLI

Precision M6400
Nvidia FX2700M
Nvidia FX3700M

Alternative 9400/E1705/M1710/M90 cards**
ATI X300
ATI X600
Nvidia 6800 go vanilla
Nvidia 6800 go Ultra (heatsink mod)
Nvidia 7800 go GTX (heatsink mod)

*This has been reported by users to work but not many users have done this so I can't tell you that its sure to work. However, I am confident in saying that it should work.

**Please note that these cards also work with the 9400/E1705/M1710/M90 however they are not recommended. There are problems with both their function (see posts 17-23) and, in the case that the card has a dualpipe heatsink, its footprint/form factor. If the card on this list you intend to use for the 9400/E1705/M1710/M90 is dualpipe then you will most likely have to take the original heatsink off the card and replace it with a heatsink from a card recommended for your system (see recommended card list above).

 

***You will need latest system bios for the 9300.  Also, 9-cell battery and 130W adapter are recommended.  Alternatively, you may also use a hacked XPS2 bios but that requires the 9-cell battery and 130W adapter.  Check here for how to do that.

TODO: Precision M65?, Precision M6300


Edited by zzpulp - 6/5/11 at 10:44am
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post #2 of 59
10/16/09 at 8:46am
Thanks zzpulp - Sticky-ing this for now for easy access. REP.

Wondering if we can add appropriate drivers along with OS that they run under? I know, I know, I am being pushy

cheers ...
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post #3 of 59
10/16/09 at 11:16am
Wow great post.
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post #4 of 59
10/16/09 at 2:33pm
Very Nice! +Rep
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post #5 of 59
10/17/09 at 7:43pm
Thread Starter 
I won't be editing this until at least thursday once all my tests, homework assignments, and projects are done for the week.

I did not think of putting OS or drivers since these cards should be able to use most drivers and run on any modern OS.
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post #6 of 59
10/17/09 at 7:48pm
Cool. I just thought that sometimes, certain cards only perform well with a specific graphic driver version, updating it would cause some headaches ... probably not the norm.

cheers ...
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post #7 of 59
10/19/09 at 3:45am
I9400/E1705/M1710
7950GTX - NBF MobileForce 169.04 M4

That might be the best driver for the 7900GS too, don't remember off the top of my head.
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post #8 of 59
11/14/09 at 6:08pm
Thread Starter 
I have been pretty busy lately and have not had the time to touch this up. If anyone is willing to touch it up for me I'm more than willing to edit it in or just let the mods do it. Anyway, hopefully I will find the time to be around here more often.
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post #9 of 59
11/14/09 at 6:12pm
Nah, we are not missing you ... not! Nice seeing you again zzpulp

cheers ...
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post #10 of 59
12/10/09 at 10:00pm
Interesting, I know I-9300's are getting to be the minority here, but some info on the Bios Mod and Drivers and 130w Brick model info would be awesome, may start watching for a 7900Go GTX on ebay. Guess I need to some searching. Nice idea though!

Edit - here's all the I-9300 info. Seem to remember looking at it awhile back...

http://www.notebookforums.com/thread113866.html

And then moved here with better file links by zzpulp

http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/top...os/#entry94314
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post #11 of 59
12/13/09 at 8:05am
Hey zzpulp, didn't we find out that the fx3600m works in inspirons? Kinda? just isn't Identyed properly and needs some kind of direct inverter control?


I've been out for the count too, school, working out, work, and girlfriend. what else.
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post #12 of 59
12/13/09 at 2:33pm
GREAT POST! +REP

NB: the e1705 can take the 7900GTX / 7950GTX if you clip out a little tab that prevents the 2nd heatsink wing from fitting into the computer stock. Just a little note / advise for those NBFers who are handy with power tools . Though zzpulp has that up, just clarifying.

Jason
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post #13 of 59
12/17/09 at 7:10pm
what is the *** for?

Also might help if you put a list of all the mobile cards you considered for each system?
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post #14 of 59
12/18/09 at 10:16pm
Thread Starter 
Yes I made this guide in like 5 minutes. Asterisks just mean I need to add more information. The amount of asterisks just refer to the specific "problem".
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post #15 of 59
12/18/09 at 10:43pm
You are 100% affirmative that old X300 and X600 work in an Inspiron 9400 ? I always thought that the X1400 was the cheapest card compatible.
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post #16 of 59
12/28/09 at 11:23am
My 7950GTX in my Inspiron 9400 died again yesterday.
I am about to buy a X300 64Mb as a replacement today.
Apart from the obvious fact that I won't be able to play recent 3D games, what shortcomings should I expect? Will I still be able to watch videos on Youtube in HD for instance?
Any input would be highly appreciated.
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post #17 of 59
1/13/10 at 11:07am
Hi,
I took the risk and ordered and installed an ATI X300 64Mb (Inspiron 9300 model).
I had to mod my laptop to make it fit:
1.There is one keyboard screw base attached to the mobo that doesn't fit the card design. I gently removed the base with plyers.
2. The heatpipe comes a little tight with the fan. I had to remove some plastic from the fan (3-4 mm)

The card works fine.
HOWEVER, whatever Catalyst or Dell drivers I try, it always detect my laptop LCD max supported resolution at 1280x800. I checked the Inspiron 9300 specs and 1440x900 should be supported. No problem on my external LCD though (1980x1200).
Any ideas ?
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post #18 of 59
1/13/10 at 6:12pm
Thread Starter 
Uh, sorry I just saw all your posts. I do not know much about ATI driver modification but it sounds like its definitely a driver problem. On the positive side, at least it recognizes your laptop as 16:10. I'd try to find some older drivers and test those. Say some drivers released in 2006 or late 2005.

Also, wanted to mention that I believe I've heard this problem before with ATI cards. Can't remember off the top of my head if there was a solution or not. Maybe search the forums here for ATI and max resolution.
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post #19 of 59
1/13/10 at 6:21pm
Well, the ones I tried from Dell's site (Inspiron 9300) are dated 2005/14/06. I tried modded Catalyst 8.12 and 9.3 too.
I also installed Windows 7, and once the official Microsoft driver for the X300 is installed from Windows Update, I get the saame resolution limitation.
Could it be that the X300 wrongly detects my LG as a 1280x800 panel because it's a newer panel? (I mean physically).
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post #20 of 59
1/13/10 at 6:36pm
Thread Starter 
Really I don't think I'd be able to help you with this issue without a hands on. So, in short, I'm useless. Maybe ask this at an ATI forum. I'm guessing Rivatuner wouldn't let you get 1440 x 900 either. Try that if you haven't.
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