Mobile Graphics Cards

[Armus]

Hello all! I did some searching in the forums but could not find the kind of info I'm looking for.

I have a 17" Alienware 7700 notebook with a Nvidia Go 6800 Ultra and I'm interested in upgrading the graphics card. Im under the impression that the 7000 series would be interchangable. Does anyone know if it would be possible to replace my existing card with something like a GeForce Go 7950 GTX?

Also if someone has a suggestion on where to purchase such a card... I know mobile graphics cards are not sold regularly like standard versions, but any suggestions would be appreciated. :)

[ultima]

wow this was hard to find

http://ztronics.com/store/alienware-nvidia-geforce-7950gtx-laptop-video-modulemaster-p-470.html


now that was the good news

the maybe bad news
i'm not sure what type of interface your alienware 7700 uses, i can't seem to find that

you'll need to either have your manual, or contact alienware support to find out
what it is

your video card needs to be MXM II or MXM III
if it is not, then you CAN NOT upgrade your video card

[-RK]

You can indeed upgrade that particular laptop, but your motherboard's limit is the mobile 7950gtx.

Really though you're going to have a hell of a time finding one for any kind of decent price. You might be able to contact alienware and ask them about it.


edit: yeah, $500... I would suggest you save the money to buy another computer... the 7950gtx isn't worth it in performance.

[ultima]

some instructions on removal if needed and you can
replace the card

http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/alienware.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=3077&p_created=1101247180&p_sid=WAzheenj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=4395&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9Nyw3JnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0zNTYsMzYwJnB fcHY9JnBfY3Y9Mi4zNjAmcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzL nNlYXJjaF9mbmwmcF9zY2ZfNj0yMDUmcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWF yY2hfdGV4dD03NzAwIG14bQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1

[ultima]

i happen to agree with RK- there

you can get a new laptop for around $800.00
with a dual cpu and a 9600 GT video card

or even a 9650 gt (same as 9600 gt, just smaller die size, runs cooler)

[Armus]

Thanks for the replies, I'm happy you guys know a thing or two about it =P

The thing that concerns me isn't just if the card fits into the laptop, obviously it needs to - from all the pics I've seen it looks like they are all uniform in size. What concerns me is the differences in power. My 6800 Ultra uses 89 Watts, where as the 7950GTX uses 45 Watts. If I installed the newer card would it burn out or would it simply draw less power? I'd hate to drop $$$ on something and kill it lol.

I guess what I need to know is: Does the power supply in the laptop dictate how much power is going to the GFX card or does the card only use what it needs?

::Armus

[ultima]

the card only uses what it needs


however i would check that it is a MXM slot
if its not, you can't get that video card anyways

[Armus]

After some searching I've found that the 6800 series does indeed have module support. It would have to be at least a MXM2, but the more I look I think it may possibly be MXM3.
Also, these cards might need new bios in order to function... seems like a hit or miss kind of situation.
I'm a little frustrated that these computers are sold with this MXM technology, but it is hardly user friendly like upgrading a card on a standard tower PC.

Thank you all for the help! It's much appreciated!

[-RK]

You're quite welcome, but seriously man - it would be a much better choice to get a new laptop rather than spend $500 on an extremely outdated card.

[Armus]

Yeah :( ...my laptop has been awesome. Right now I cant afford to get what i really want, so I've just been looking into upgrading this one. Seems prety impractical though at 500 bucks ><

Also I contacted Alienware and they finaly got back to me. They said:
"The following list of video graphics adapters has been validated for the Area-51 m7700"

This list included the GeForce Go 6800, Go 6800 Ultra, ATI Mobility Radeon x800, the x800 Pro, GeForce Go 7800 Ultra (I think he meant 7800 GTX? Im not aware of a 7800 ultra), and the Quadro 1400 Go.

I dont know if their "validated" list is ones they simply approved, or if they are the only ones that would function. I imagine others might work but I dont want to spend that much.

Alienware doesnt sell parts for upgrades etc. They say they keep their remaining stock of cards for warranty repairs. And why bother selling a replacement graphics card when their alternative is to sell a new laptop heh.