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Upgrade 1520 video
I have an older Inspiron 1520.. It says the video is
"Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset Family 384MB"
Is this built into the motherboard?
Can I upgrade to the NVidia 8600GT? I can pick one up on ebay for about $20..
Will it be better than the Intel video?
ejn63
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March 8th, 2012 04:00
This model has one of two different mainobards - the one you have (with integrated video) cannot be upgraded to take a video card.
So, to use the 8600GT (which is a very risky buy, given the unreliability of the nVidia 8400 and 8600 chips), you'd need to replace the mainboard and buy a video card (the other 1520 model has no onboard video, but has a socket for the video card).
B.B
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March 7th, 2012 20:00
Be careful... these Lap tops Crash and the mother board and processor go out right after warranty expires..
3DPiper
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March 7th, 2012 22:00
What's a warranty? :)
This is an old laptop someone gave to us, I'm just fixing it up for my daughter..
3DPiper
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March 8th, 2012 05:00
Thank you ejn63, that is just the answer I needed..!
3DPiper
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March 8th, 2012 05:00
Can I replace a 1520 motherboard with a 1521 and it fit in the case?
The 1521 has a better video card and HDMI output..
ejn63
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March 8th, 2012 07:00
Don't count on it - though the chassis are similar there can be plenty of pitfalls. Bear in mind the 1521 won't take Intel CPUs (it's an AMD system).
3DPiper
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March 8th, 2012 09:00
Thanks again, ejn63.. You are a wealth of knowlege!
ejn63
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September 1st, 2014 10:00
Use the service tag to look up the original specifications at support.dell.com -- if you see the term UMA, it's Intel.
Chances are, if the video card failed, it's nVIdia, not Intel.
cas0001
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September 1st, 2014 10:00
I have an inspiron 1520 and the graphics card has gone out. How can I verify if my 1520 is the model with a socket for the video card?
cas0001
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September 1st, 2014 11:00
Ok. Great thanks! Which one can be replaced?
ejn63
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September 1st, 2014 12:00
Yes. Bear in mind it's a proprietary card and given the age of the system and the fact that all these chips were defective in design, it may not be a recipe for the long term.
cas0001
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September 1st, 2014 12:00
Sorry to ask so many questions, but let me make sure I have it.
I do have the nvidia chip. That means I can buy a replacement and install it, correct?
ejn63
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September 1st, 2014 12:00
If the Intel video fails, the mainboard needs replacement -- the nVidia chip is on a card that can be replaced (assuming you can still find a working one - they are well known for unreliability).