Dell Inspiron 8000, upgradable graphics?

Anyone know?

Yes it is possible.  Search the forum, TONS of threads on this subject - I have several that i responded to or started.  Get the Radeon Mobility 9000 64mb if you can find.  You can try Dell Spare parts but last I heard they weren't selling them or people were just having a hard time getting them.  Best luck would be on EBAY.

Dude, you have no idea how glad you have made me today!!!


w0000000000000000000000000000t!!!!



thanks so much, i really appreciate it!


thank you kindly!


peace out[side]

This should help you get your new card. http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_video&message.id=98113&highlight=Chuck-E-Cheese+nvidia+quadro4+700#M98113 

NVIDIA'a Quadro4 700 GoGL might work in your i8000, but costs $319.

Message Edited by Shoey Peachew on 12-06-2003 08:44 PM

Will that work?

I am also getting this card almost entirely for pixel shading (and of course better graphics), this card from nvidia has pixel shading of 1.1 or greater capabilities, right?


thanks guys!


also, cost doesnt matter in this.

I know this card has worked with another's i8000 and therefore is the best card you can and will probably ever get. The Quadro 700gogl is the equivalent of the ti4200 go. As for Pixel Shading, I believe it's capable up to 1.3. Here's some more info:

http://support.ap.dell.com/docs/video/s54143/intro.htm

http://support.ap.dell.com/docs/video/s54143/spec.htm

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_video&message.id=93306

Good luck!

i8100 1.13ghz 512mb

15inchUXGA NIVIDIA QUADRO4 700 Go GL Driver 45.91 (Pieter's .inf)

By the way, what are your computer specs?

Message Edited by Shoey Peachew on 12-07-2003 09:24 AM

Message Edited by Shoey Peachew on 12-07-2003 09:29 AM

wait.......let me get this straight.......i have only 2 possible choices to upgrade my graphics card with, and both of these choices are like impossible to get?


i cant only get a NVIDIA'a Quadro4 700 GoGl or a Radeon Mobility 9000? No other choices that will work and still be quality?

Im using a Ati 7500 mobility with modded catalyst drivers. I dont think that upgrading your card to a 350+ dollar card it worth it if you ask me, i got my radeon for 50 new on ebay. Works great on Halo, Max Payne 2, Need for speed underground, and Jedi Academy. I can turn the settings for high quality on everything and make it look spectacular>> Here is where the problems come in, since we stubborn few who will not buy new laptops, the 1ghz wont keep up with the processing, I close everything before playing any of the above games, and there is no way that I can have everything on high without lag, especially when trying to play multiplayer on LAN. Drivers help out alot, I looked a long time for a good card for my 8100, If you ask me just upgrade the ram to 512, close all backround programs, and use a radeon 7500 64mb. And unless you have a good screen like a UXGA why go so crazy on a vid card? And a GREAT upgrade (a madatory one in my book) is a Cooling unit to lay under your laptop, the ram on the inspiron 8xxx is right on the bottom (feel it and see how hot it is) that'll slow your performance, Check on ebay for laptop cooling units. they plug in to USB, install FANGUI and
presto, 10 degrees cooler. check out tweakxp.com for the little things to get the most out of your PIII, when your a poor college student, you try to make the most out of your laptop...

Message Edited by vwaddict on 12-08-2003 05:20 PM

I'm pretty stubborn, too. I won't buy a new computer until Windows releases their new operating system. I don't see the point in wasting money when technology is going to be updated\upgraded in a year. Even then, I'll wait a little longer for hardware prices to come down. In fact, I bought my i8100 when the Pentium4 came out to save money.

Personally I think Ati's Radeon 7500 64mb card wasn't doing enough, even with Omega's drivers overclocking it when I had it. I have a native 1600 by 1200 UXGA screen and prefer games to run well at that setting, which the 7500 struggled at. For me, the 7500 was pretty weak so I chose to upgrade to the Quadro4.

NVIDIA's Quadro4, on the other hand, allows me to play the latest games at that resolution at high quality. Plus, upgrading to the Quadro4 has given my notebook an extra year or so before becomming, well, extinct. With the new card, It performs awesome and I'm glad I did it and don't regret it at all.

But, you have i8000 and weak vid card, so I don't know what to tell you. If your stubborn and think you'll keep the laptop for a looong while or just reeeally like it, maybe investing in Ati's 9000 or NVIDIA's Quadro4 might be an option to explore. Otherwise, I would get Ati's 9000, which would probably be a better buy for your i8000.

i8100 1.13ghz 512mb

15inchUXGA NIVIDIA QUADRO4 700 Go GL Driver 45.91 (Pieter's .inf)

 

 

 

yea, i am planning to do just that.........once dell gets the 9000 in stock. Also, Vwaddict, i dont think i am in the same boat as you man. I can play all those games (i even have all those games) with all the settings maxed and no lag, along with other programs open at the same time......


I love my graphics, they are really nice, but......i need more advanced pixel shading, and i would like a better picture, but mainly for the pixel shading, which is starting to become a big thing with newer games. I talked with dell support last night, and they implied that they had a few 9000's in stock, and asked me if i wanted to purchase one at that moment, i responded in saying later tonite, because i needed to find a check i misplaced (oops!). I call back probably like 45 minutes later, ask for the Radeon Mobility 9000 with 32 mb, and guess what? OUT OF STOCK! i was thoroughly P.O.ed for the rest of the day.

but anyways, thanks a lot guys...and i have been told it would be easier to buy a new one, but i reallllllly dont wanna drop like 1700 for a quality laptop......

Your third option would be a NVIDIA Geforce GO 440 /w 64mb but both the Radeon 9000 and Quatro would be better.  But the 440 would still be alot better than what you have now if that was your last option.  If your going to spend the money and go through the trouble doing the upgrade don't use anything other than these three cards at this point cause everything else is going to be slow... any of the older ATI's (7500). 

Also don't forget to check and see what motherboard revision you have.  Open the access door to where your RAM is and sticker of revision is on motherboard.  A later revision motherboard would make you less likley to have to hold the power button down to turn 8000 on after upgrade.

Message Edited by i8000_coastal on 12-11-2003 01:26 AM

hrm.........i heard that the 440 doesnt support pixel shading high enough for these games that i wanna play....


also, something thats starting to get quite annoying is that, every time i call Dell, their situation on supply of parts changes so dramatically i feel like i participating in one of those call-in-and-win contests or something. Also, they say they will call me or email me, but it doesnt happen.........I pay for technical and other types of support, and if they cant even return my phone call like they tell me they will, then someone needs to re-evaluate Dell's "award winning service and support".....or maybe its just me and im too impatient...but i am still waiting for the email which i was told i was going to recieve......and still waiting for thr phone call.....

How about Dell owes me $157.00 for a return they received 33 days ago. I've called repeatedly and I'm sick of hearing the word "expedite" when they say they will return my money. I'll threaten to bring them to small claims court if I have to. Grrrrrr 

and it's the holiday season...