Before you undertake any upgrade, realize that the video chip you have isn't on a separate card - it's part of the system board and cannot be upgraded in any way short of buying a newer notebook.
The system will take any of the Core 2 CPUs on Socket P designs. The newer Core i3/5/7 WILL NOT work - they use a different socket completely.
As far as I understand, the ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 in the Dell Studio 1737 is a discrete video card, and not integrated with the mother board. I had discussion with Dell Support about this. Dell support said it would void the warranty, but did confirm that it could be replaced. The current Studio 17's come with 512 to 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon cards, ie. 4650. Problem is, where can one get such a card now--it should be available in a year or two, as such systems get older. Does anyone know someone at Dell who can source these cards?
Now how accurate is the manual? For instance, the manual says that the Studio 1737 can take a max of 4GB of RAM yet it also supports 8GB max. I also want to do upgrades to mine and have been considering changing my CPU and adding a SSD drive.
If I am not mistaken, the 1735 has a max of 4gb running 64bit OS 3gb on 32bit. The 1737 has a 4gb per slot with 8gb max running 64bit OS and 3gb per slot on 32bit.
I know that on the mobo for 1735, the Vid Card is part of. I cant speak for the 1737 but I will crack one open soon and let you know!
And I was hoping that the video card could be upgraded but I guess not. I've been hearing conflicting stories but I'm almost positive as well that it's part of the motherboard. :emotion-7:
The studio 17 ie 1737 has a graphics chip located on the motherboard and the only way to upgrade it is to get a mainboard with a more powerful graphics card built into it whether or not it will support 8gb of memory is dependent on the chip set, i know for a fact that mine supports 4gb, but i'm not going to waste the money on 2x 4gb sticks of ram when it would only serve to lower battery life with minimal performance increase for the average user.
As far as the Dell Manual is concerned it was a basicaly a cut and paste job, this has been explained over two years ago. Officially @ release time of the 1737 the info wasn't there about the specifics it supported for RAM. However, it is valid and true and logical that the 1737 among other systems that share the core type are capable of running 8GB of ram. Again I have 8GB did my research, purchased ram from newegg.com, installed fine and ran fine in all OS'es that I use.
Please put the rumor mill of 4GB being max to rest it is simply human error that isn't corrected.
HDD - Upgrade to a main drive of SSD install OS and apps, and a secondary HDD for data, preferably 7400 rpm 500GB up to 1TB.
CPU - Up to a 3.2 ghz Core 2 (Supposedly too hot for the heatsink so I'd hover around 2.7-2.8ghz)
RAM - 8GBB DDR2
WiFi - Update to any compatible N Compliant device.
GFX - Get an external powered gfx card and storage unit. I use it on my for my laptop for hardcore gaming otherwise it's not on. Typically only used for stationary gaming or high demand graphics work. I wouldn't take this around as it isn't really all that portable as its like sticking 2-3 usb external drives in a bag.
So far the only upgrades that I've done to my 1737 is changed from 4GB to 8GB of RAM, swapped my 320GB 5400rpm to a 320GB 7200rpm HDD.and the CPU from the T3400 2.0GHz to a T6600 2.2GHz which also went from 1MB to 2MB L2 cache. That's about it and so far I seem pretty happy with it. :emotion-1:
I will be glad if you can advice me on the external powered GFX cards available in the market, because I have a Dell Studio 1737 with GMA 4500 MHD which is like a snail for gaming.
krisleslie
17 Posts
1
September 19th, 2011 20:00
I find it quite hilarious you think the Dell Studio 1737 can't handle 8GB of RAM...funny cause that's what I have in mine and runs like a champ...
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
May 5th, 2010 09:00
Before you undertake any upgrade, realize that the video chip you have isn't on a separate card - it's part of the system board and cannot be upgraded in any way short of buying a newer notebook.
The system will take any of the Core 2 CPUs on Socket P designs. The newer Core i3/5/7 WILL NOT work - they use a different socket completely.
patsaison
3 Posts
0
July 4th, 2010 21:00
As far as I understand, the ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 in the Dell Studio 1737 is a discrete video card, and not integrated with the mother board. I had discussion with Dell Support about this. Dell support said it would void the warranty, but did confirm that it could be replaced. The current Studio 17's come with 512 to 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon cards, ie. 4650. Problem is, where can one get such a card now--it should be available in a year or two, as such systems get older. Does anyone know someone at Dell who can source these cards?
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
July 5th, 2010 04:00
You do not understand correctly. There is no card - the chip is part of the mainboard, and cannot be upgraded.
The service manual will tell the story to correct your misunderstanding:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/1735/en/SM/index.htm
JuanChiChi
11 Posts
0
April 22nd, 2011 14:00
Now how accurate is the manual? For instance, the manual says that the Studio 1737 can take a max of 4GB of RAM yet it also supports 8GB max. I also want to do upgrades to mine and have been considering changing my CPU and adding a SSD drive.
Jarokk
1 Message
0
June 7th, 2011 09:00
If I am not mistaken, the 1735 has a max of 4gb running 64bit OS 3gb on 32bit. The 1737 has a 4gb per slot with 8gb max running 64bit OS and 3gb per slot on 32bit.
I know that on the mobo for 1735, the Vid Card is part of. I cant speak for the 1737 but I will crack one open soon and let you know!
JuanChiChi
11 Posts
0
June 7th, 2011 17:00
And I was hoping that the video card could be upgraded but I guess not. I've been hearing conflicting stories but I'm almost positive as well that it's part of the motherboard. :emotion-7:
Enceladus
297 Posts
0
June 7th, 2011 20:00
Downgrade to XP 32 bit or upgrade to Windows 7 32 bit or 64 bit. Either will be a performance upgrade compared with Vista.
Chaingun
1 Message
1
September 13th, 2011 21:00
The studio 17 ie 1737 has a graphics chip located on the motherboard and the only way to upgrade it is to get a mainboard with a more powerful graphics card built into it whether or not it will support 8gb of memory is dependent on the chip set, i know for a fact that mine supports 4gb, but i'm not going to waste the money on 2x 4gb sticks of ram when it would only serve to lower battery life with minimal performance increase for the average user.
krisleslie
17 Posts
0
September 19th, 2011 20:00
As far as the Dell Manual is concerned it was a basicaly a cut and paste job, this has been explained over two years ago. Officially @ release time of the 1737 the info wasn't there about the specifics it supported for RAM. However, it is valid and true and logical that the 1737 among other systems that share the core type are capable of running 8GB of ram. Again I have 8GB did my research, purchased ram from newegg.com, installed fine and ran fine in all OS'es that I use.
Please put the rumor mill of 4GB being max to rest it is simply human error that isn't corrected.
krisleslie
17 Posts
0
September 19th, 2011 22:00
Upgrades to help your system:
HDD - Upgrade to a main drive of SSD install OS and apps, and a secondary HDD for data, preferably 7400 rpm 500GB up to 1TB.
CPU - Up to a 3.2 ghz Core 2 (Supposedly too hot for the heatsink so I'd hover around 2.7-2.8ghz)
RAM - 8GBB DDR2
WiFi - Update to any compatible N Compliant device.
GFX - Get an external powered gfx card and storage unit. I use it on my for my laptop for hardcore gaming otherwise it's not on. Typically only used for stationary gaming or high demand graphics work. I wouldn't take this around as it isn't really all that portable as its like sticking 2-3 usb external drives in a bag.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
September 20th, 2011 05:00
1. There's no such thing as a 7400 rpm hard drive.
2. The 1737 won't take anything as fast as 3.2 GHz.
3. Not "any" N-compliant "device" will work.
4. Just what model external graphics box are you using? Exact model, please?
JuanChiChi
11 Posts
0
September 20th, 2011 19:00
Oh and my wifi card to N. :)
JuanChiChi
11 Posts
0
September 20th, 2011 19:00
So far the only upgrades that I've done to my 1737 is changed from 4GB to 8GB of RAM, swapped my 320GB 5400rpm to a 320GB 7200rpm HDD.and the CPU from the T3400 2.0GHz to a T6600 2.2GHz which also went from 1MB to 2MB L2 cache. That's about it and so far I seem pretty happy with it. :emotion-1:
srikumarradha
3 Posts
0
January 20th, 2012 19:00
Hello Krisleslie,
I will be glad if you can advice me on the external powered GFX cards available in the market, because I have a Dell Studio 1737 with GMA 4500 MHD which is like a snail for gaming.
Bye