I did this mod and I have totally no experience with dismantling computers whatsoever..... I even did the pinmod and applying arctic silver 5 modifications (found in this forum) ... Some tips I can give is 1) download the service manual and follow the directions on how to dismantle the computer 2) resist the temptation to overtighten screws (you might break something) 3) print out all the guides and manuals needed..... 4) get all your tools ready... 5) go slow and keep in mind that the chances of you screwing up is low and if ever you do screw up you can always change it back(unless you physically damage something like overtightening screws or pulling on the cable instead of the head ) 6)the hardest part is taking out the control panel....

bump...... to those guys who ordered the 9300 via the whopping 47% discount, congratulations!!!! here is the thread on how to upgrade your vidcards to the 7800 !!!!

Anyone in AUS been able to obtain these spare parts from Dell?

I'm quite interested in giving this a shot but got no idea on how to get ahold of the heatsink and video card since Dell Australia don't stock the Gen2

Another Successfull Atix300--->>>>6800 Ultra Upgrade Here!

you wont need the heatsink.... the 6800 go ultra is going for around 150$ in ebay..... or you could check out the for sale thread in this forum.... you are going to need the power brick and the 9 cell...

Skeejilt, I'm just like you in a way, but I want to apply AS5 for future mods like overclocking my video. Where exactly and how did you apply the AS5 on the heatsink? Do you just smear the parts that touch? The contact part?

i just followed the sticky on top of this forum.... i had to put a plastic bag over my finger and rubbed in the product... dont use too much.. i used an amount equal to a half grain of rice ... the thing is there is a huge margin for error and its actually quite easy.... i used 99% alcohol (i got it in safeway) you can also dl the insturction at the as5 website .... as5 is cheap 7.50$ and highly recommended..... as5 together with undervolting keeps my laptop running at 28c-33 c idle

I am planning on the same upgrade, but have some questions:
did the 6800 fit in smoothly or did you need a new heatsink?
Do you know if the 90W poweradapter in combination with the 9cell battery will be enough to flash the firmware?

Bump. Since a few new threads have come up concerning this mod, I thought I would bump this up.

If the 7800 comes down a little I might consider doing this. I think this should be stickied.

Even though I don't either machine I would just like to say kudos on a briliiant write up. I am seriously considering buying a cheap used 9300 and implementing this mod.
Cheers.

I'm curious about the warranty issue. Worst case scenario is that something pops and fries inside the notebook. It'd look a little odd if you swap the old card back in (no damage) and send the rest of the fried notebook in. How do you explain that one to them?

Or...say something like a drive dies and you have to send it in to have it replaced. Obviously, you'd swap the old card back in but then you still have the hacked BIOS, which they're sure to notice when they work on it. Is there anyway to restore the BIOS back to factory default once its been hacked?

My worst fear is upgrading the graphics card, only to have a pixel die on the screen or something and have my warranty voided.

installed my 6800U today and I can say with all sincerity that a trained monkey could have done it. While I was doing the install I threw AS5 on the GPU

Now I should have my 130 watt power supply

then comes the processor upgrade.

a few resum to know if i've all understood.
1) download the cracked bios, and flash it my old 9300 notebook bios, then,
2) flash with the last released of Xps bios (as4 or as5).
3)turning off the computer
4) install the new video card
5) plug with the new power supply (130w).
then turning on my computer, then my computer work.
have i missed something?
(i'm waiting for the video card who come from canada)
so want to be sure that i haven't forget nothing. (think to flash with the last released of xps bios is easy?)
many thanks for you're help, and sorry for my bad english

It should be this:

1. Make sure 9 cell battery is in laptop.
2. Make sure 130w adapter is plugged in.
3. Boot system up, flash cracked XPS2 bios.
4. Reboot system into windows, let it refind everything.
5. Run latest XPS2 A05 Bios update.
6. Turn system off
7. Swap video cards.
8. Load up Windows, let it refind your new video card.


I'm pretty sure the XPS2 bios flash will NOT work unless you have the 9 cell battery AND 130w adapter, I didn't try mine without to see, but the above worked fine for mine, minus the card swap since its not here yet.

thank's striph.
yes forget to mention the 9 cell battery and the 130w adapter at the good place.