I think people are being overly negative about the whole 7900 in gen 2 thing, the bios shouldnt be a problem as the card draws the same amounto of power as the 6800 or the 7800, i even think that there may be enough clearance between the connector and the card,but cooling might then be an issue, but anything possible

1. because this thread is about putting a 7900 in a 9400, not a Gen2 or 9300.
2. I tried putting the 7900 in a 9300, it will not fit without major modding, no room on the connector+heatsinks, bios will not set right voltages etc, I was the first to do all upgrades on dell laptops on here even the 9300 to 7800gtx which someone named iroberts did the photo guide and nicked my credit! so I say it cannot be done, it cannot unless you want to chance knackering your laptop!

End of 9300/xps2/m170 on this thread!

The 9300 and the XPS Gen 2 aren't the same beast. So allow us our hopes that the 7900 GTX will fit in the XPS Gen 2.

Once someone comes on and says they tried it with their XPS Gen 2 specifically and it didn't work, maybe then I'll believe it.

Sorry they are!
Same base plastics, Motherboard layout!, just extra components on the gen2 mobo, so the fitting is exactly the same for the video card!

Exactly, I've been deep in the bowels of a 9300 and an XPS2 and other than the LEDS, the motherboards are practically the same, so the same issues that face the 9300 with the 7900 are the same with the XPS2. In fact to get the 9300 to work with the 7800gtx requires the bios to be flashed to a XPS2

Also... the BIOS must recognize the video in order to send it more power and make use of the 130watt adapter. If the BIOS doesn't recognize it (and it won't without one from the m1710) you'll be stuck running only 90watts off of the 130watt brick (which is the default).

Currently I have been denied from ordering the 7900GTX or 7900GS. I wouldn't keep reposting that until we have some final Part Numbers and Prices.

I just ordered a replacement for my M1710 to put in my 1705. It is in-production with the ship date of May 17. It cost me $265. Here is the descripton:

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=gridTitle style="WIDTH: 80px">Order Group</TD><TD class=gridTitle style="WIDTH: 50px">Quantity</TD><TD class=gridTitle style="WIDTH: 75px">Item</TD><TD class=gridTitle style="WIDTH: 595px">Description</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=4 height=5></TD></TR><TR><TD class=gridCell style="WIDTH: 80px">1</TD><TD class=gridCell style="WIDTH: 50px">1</TD><TD class=gridCell style="WIDTH: 75px">CG054</TD><TD class=gridCell style="WIDTH: 595px">Module,Card,Graphics,512MB,G71M1710</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Do you guys think it is the 7900gtx?

Ok so i opened up my laptop today, and yes that power button/light connector is immovable, but what about getting rid of the lights, and just wiring the power button connector straingt onto the mobo? if we can identify which one it is it stands a chance. The other issue is the connection to the screen, is it the same for the 7800/6800 to the 7900?

Say I noticed that some who did the 7800GTX mod had problems with their screens auto-off power saving mode. Did you notice this with the 7900GTX?

Didn't you ask them when you ordered? You think I could order one to drop in my e1705? What number did you call to order? Thanks.

Yes that should be the 7900gtx but how did you get it for that price can you order me one too. Also if you take another look at the picture you have to worry about this pin also if you can get it to work there will be alot of modding involved i just dont think it is worth it.

I just ordered one myself. But the Part Number they said was YF227 again. They told me that CG054 is the sub-part number that shows up in the invoice. You should also see a pointless sub-part number that says "90 day warranty or remainder of Dell system warranty, whichever is longer blah blah blah".

The price was 265$. Ship Date was also told to me as May 17th also. I ordered it under my 9400 Service Tag and did a lil social engineering to get the order accepted by the rep.

We'll see if the card is the right one when it arrives. Time to finally open up my 9400 and see if it works to my satisfaction. LOL

WOOT... confirmed part number = Sticky status.

Congrats on your sticky Mbosys. I may add to this Guide once my 7900GTX arrives.

Folide, what shipping did you pay for? I just got the basic 8$ shipping (usually shows up in 2 days for me anyhow).

She did not give me an option on shipping. Mine came out to $293.13. I got the 1705 for $1228 ($850 off) with the same specs as the M1710 except the video card and now with the 7900gtx at $293 I am going to definitely return my M1710.