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I have 3 questions.   1) I got an inspiron 6000 for $844.00. It has a 1.6ghz(533Mhz) 730 Pentium M, 256 of ram, cd-rw/dvd, intels GMA 900, Regular LCD screen(I think it is the wxga) and a 60gb (5400rpm) hdd. I wanted to know if that was a good deal for the money or a bad one. 2) I contacted dell various times and asked them if i could get a radeon x300 for the 6000 and they said it was possible ut i didn't tell them it was for a laptop that has alredy an integrated video chip, my question is, can i still put the x300 on a 6000 that has intels gma 900. 3) does any one know how better or worse the 128mb x300 is against one Geforce 4 MX 440?   Thanks to all!!!

bacillus · Answer

Unfortunately you cannot put the ATI X300 into your present laptop. There is no slot for it to sit in on the motherboard.

FA6000 · Answer

That is messed up.

SR45 · Answer

Still within the 21 days return policy period, send it back now and get the 6000d or the 9300 system...Good luck ...One other thing, 256 mb is not that good, when the integrated video takes some of that memory to draw on the system screen, and that leaves you with even less. Windows xp runs at its best with 512 mb of memory.

Dim 4400 ( June 2002 )
2.6 Ghz
Bios A06
1 Gb DDR 2100
Windows XP Home
SP-2
1703 FP LCD monitor
PC-Cillin Internet Security

Message Edited by SR45 on 05-23-2005 01:52 PM

FA6000 · Answer

Ok, what the heck? Some say it is possible, some say it isn't, to put the x300 in.  I just wanted decent graphics. Has anyone played need for speed undreground 2 on a GMA 900? That is just sad man or prbably as sr45 said, I would need atleast 512 of ram. I bought the laptop from dells outlet store, it was refurbished wich means that the 14 day  return period  already expired 5 days ago. In my opinion I got the best deal ever, since a new one just like mine would probably go over $1000. Laptops should be made so that you could upgrade any part you want, just like desktops. Thanks to anyone whos replied, GB!!!

SR45 · Answer

@FA6000 wrote:
Ok, what the heck? Some say it is possible, some say it isn't, to put the x300 in. I just wanted decent graphics. Has anyone played need for speed undreground 2 on a GMA 900? That is just sad man or prbably as sr45 said, I would need atleast 512 of ram. I bought the laptop from dells outlet store, it was refurbished wich means that the 14 day return period already expired 5 days ago. In my opinion I got the best deal ever, since a new one just like mine would probably go over $1000. Laptops should be made so that you could upgrade any part you want, just like desktops. Thanks to anyone whos replied, GB!!!

They actually do, but not the model you have.( That is why it was sold cheap ) ...The 6000d model can be upgraded with the x300 if you did not get it at first, but the lower cost model in which you got for a good price does not have this option. Desktops are the same, some have only a pci slot for a lower end video card, and cannot be upgraded to the agp slot or the newer pci-express slot, and many are now finding this out, and are they mad. The point is, everyone should lay back for a second, read as much as possible about systems they are looking at, and ask questions first before the purchase. This way, the purchaser will not be shocked later in finding out they got a good price on a system at a cost of not having a way to upgrade the system.

Another thing is, when the system arrives, the owner should play the heck out of it, and come onto a forum such as this to find out more, and if you are not satisfied, you have either a 21 day for new systems and 14 days for refurbished systems to send it back. Too many let the time slide to correct the first mistake made in purchasing the wrong system and no way to correct this mistake because of the time factor. Live and learn the hard way.

FA6000 · Answer

You are right sr45. Over all I'm happy with it, for some reason I still think it is possible to put a video card in. Some guy at dell chat told me something about the 6000 having a pcmcia(or something like that) slot somewhere and that it could be possible. Both sr45 and bacillus seem really experienced, but has any one really tried doing what I want to do before? Thank you.   GB!!!

SR45 · Answer

@FA6000 wrote:

You are right sr45. Over all I'm happy with it, for some reason I still think it is possible to put a video card in. Some guy at dell chat told me something about the 6000 having a pcmcia(or something like that) slot somewhere and that it could be possible. Both sr45 and bacillus seem really experienced, but has any one really tried doing what I want to do before?

Thank you.

GB!!!

Are you asking if a pcmcia slot card is available for a video upgrade ? No, I'm afraid. Correct me if I'm wrong FA6000, if that is what you are asking. If your Inspiron 6000 is the " d " model, than yes you can put the x300 128 mb mobile card into it, from the 64 mb x300, but if its not the "d" model, than sorry again, but nope....Some of the sales rep's are not too up to date on each system, and they do make mistakes.

"PCMCIA or PC Cards are credit card-size peripherals that add memory, mass storage, and I/O capabilities to computers in a rugged, compact form factor.

As stated on Dell's sales site for the 6000 system :

" Integrated graphics use the CPU of the computer to create graphics, and shares the system memory, so it typically will not process pictures, video, or games as quickly as dedicated graphics. "

Message Edited by SR45 on 05-24-2005 01:24 PM

jeffcmfrt · Answer

As a rule of thumb if you want to run graphic intense programs or game.Stay away from intergrated graphics and entry level budget systems.You moreless get what you pay for. If you want to game you need a high end system weather it be a desktop or laptop.I would go no less then the 9300 with the 6800 video card for a laptop.And no less then the 4700 with dedicated graphics not intergrated for a desktop.And the sweet spot for now is 1 gig of Ram for gaming.Anything less you loose the ability to upgrade in the future and the lower you go the more limitations your machine will have.

Sr45 hit the nail on the head if you are within your return period send it back and order a machine that will suit your needs before it is too late.And i agree Read,Study,research and ask questions before you buy it saves you grief, disappointment and money in the long run.I for one had to learn the hard way.Best wishes

Inspiron XPS Gen 1
3.4 H/T processor
1 gig ram
256 ddr ati 9800
15.4 wide aspect ultra sharp
wuxga(1920x1200) display
Operating system windows xp home
Service pk 2
Logitech MX750 wireless mouse
Nostromo n52 gamepad

FA6000 · Answer

Well, nothing I can do now but try to sell it or live with it. I'm planning on studying computer engineering, you guys think i could trick it out and put a different video card then? Anyways, thanks to all who replied!!!

SR45 · Answer

We, that are responding to your question, will tell you, that you are really out of luck on this video upgrade thing, but you have learned a very good lesson for the next time.   Its still a good system for work and you can purchase the new X-box 360 or the PS3 when they come out for the games.  They will be great gaming consoles.

ejn63 · Answer

The only option would be to replace the board with one from a 6000d, which at least right now would be an exceedingly expensive option, as the boards are probably only available from Dell.

If that's the path you want, you'll do better financially to sell the old system and re-order - and at that, another 6000 will not net you high end video; if you go that route, I'd suggest ordering an 9300, XPS - or a Latitude D810.

jeffcmfrt · Answer

@FA6000 wrote:

out of the 9300, xps, xps2 and an alienware m 700. Which one is better for gaming, keeping in mind battery life?

Hi FA6000

All three are great laptops alto in my opinion Alianware is overpriced and i just prefer dell to be honest.Either the 9300 or the XPS gen 2 will handle anything you throw at it and perform the 6800 and the 6800 ultra will handel it all.As for battery life i can't comment i do know that all laptop manufactures lie a little on the battery life but i do know the battery life is better then the XPS gen 1 which i own.And by the way my XPS gen 1 with the ati 9800 card still performs great. I run graphic intense programs and play all the latest games with high system requirements very well on high or maxed out game settings and it handel's evrything i throw at it still .Which is the only reason i haven't upgraded to the 9300 or XPS gen 2 with the 6800 and 6800 ultra.In my opinion you can't go wrong with the 9300 or the XPS just remember when ordering the sweet spot for gaming is 1 gig of RAM.Best wishes

Inspiron XPS Gen 1
3.4 H/T processor
1 gig ram
256 ddr ati 9800
15.4 wide aspect ultra sharp
wuxga(1920x1200) display
Operating system windows xp home
Service pk 2
Logitech MX750 wireless mouse
Nostromo n52 gamepad

FA6000 · Answer

out of the 9300, xps, xps2 and an alienware m 700. Which one is better for gaming, keeping in mind battery life?

SR45 · Answer

Alienware has a lousy battery life in their new system, and the heat issue is higher in the Alienware as well. Since the older first generation XPS notebook has the 9800 video, the winner would be XPS Gen 2 hands down for now. I want the 9300 system for the best of both worlds, very good gaming, a little cheaper, case looks more professional than the XPS, and the price is good with a 35% off, when and if it comes around again. Also, the video will prolong the life of the Gen 2 better than the other systems. However, if the XPS Gen 2 has a 35% off coupon before the 9300 system does, I'll be looking hard at that one for sure. 9300 has the better battery life, and the video will serve you well for gaming, for about 1 1/2 to 2 years, than the games coming out then, may need something stronger, but still will be very playable on the 9300.

Other's may weigh in on this as well to give you their point of view....:smileywink:

Dim 4400 ( June 2002 )
2.6 Ghz
Bios A06
1 Gb DDR 2100
Windows XP Home
SP-2
1703 FP LCD monitor
PC-Cillin Internet Security

Message Edited by SR45 on 05-25-2005 01:38 PM

Locked Topics – Laptops General

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