Is it possible to update my Graphics Card for my Dell Inspiron 1720?

Question

I am not pleased with the performance of my laptop.
I am a gamer and have come to find out it is not possible for me to play the 7 Games for Windows games i have purchased.

I seek help about my laptop from others because on this case, i do not know what im talking about.

These are the specs for my Dell Inspiron 1720:

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.080917-1612)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Inspiron 1720
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A03
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU T2310 @ 1.46GHz (2=2 0CPUs), ~1.5GHz
Memory: 1014MB RAM
Page File: 1319MB used, 960MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6000.16386 32bit Unicode
DxDiag Previously: Crashed in DirectShow (stage 1)

Display Specs:
Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A02&SUBSYS_01F21028&REV_0C
Display Memory: 251 MB
Dedicated Memory: 0 MB
Shared Memory: 251 MB
Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: igdumd32.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.1272 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/2/2007 00:13:58, 2363392 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6942-11CF-6077-F 821ADC2CA35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2A02
SubSys ID: 0x01F21028
Revision ID: 0x000C
Revision ID: 0x000C
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

If there is anything else you would need to know, just ask.
Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The best thing you can do is update your video drivers and upgrade the RAM to the maximum supported amount. There's not much else you can do for most laptops.



Unless you've ordered the laptop with the card you wanted, you can't swap it out. Unlike Desktop graphics cards, which are limited only by available slots, Laptop graphics cards are hard to find, and even harder to replace.



Laptop GPUs are not cards at all, but GPU chips soldered into the motherboard (which is why the ones with dedicated cards are said to have "discrete graphics" and others have the built-in "integrated graphics" rather than having "cards"), so as are some of the CPUs - meaning you have to melt the metal solder to even take them out. This is the way most laptops today are made. You'll have to be a real expert to be able to swap them successfully - even then success isn't 100%. Manufacturers will not take them back for an upgrade.



Furthermore, your laptop motherboard chipset will not allow for you to upgrade to a discrete GPU if you ordered it with the integrated card.



Unless you have a laptop with a separate graphics unit or an MXM slot, you won't be able to upgrade/replace it. Check your manual to see if they allow any upgrades. Few laptops today allow you to do so (the Alienware line being one of the very last) I know for sure that recent Dell laptops use the soldering style.



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The only option you have left is to use an Expresscard-adpated graphics unit, but not yet. Maybe in the near future; right now external graphics through Expresscard is in the process of development/release.



There aren't that many for sale yet in the U.S., but if you're lucky, you can find an ASUS XG Station for sale somewhere (but it won't be cheap considering its around $300 for the dock alone). You just need to have an Expresscard slot. They're only offering the 7900GS and 8600GT (desktop card) for the dock so far, but from the looks of the design you might fit other PCI-E x16 graphic cards into it in the future.



However, because of the slower transfer bandwith through the ExpressCard port in comparison to the PCI-E x16 GPUS usually use, they will not perform nearly as well as built-in/native cards.



http://www.hwupgrade.com/articles/print/mobile/18/asusxg.jpg

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/1671/asusxguh9.jpg

Answer 2

As far as I know, updating graphics cards for laptops is well near impossible due to the fact that they are made differently, and consequently are not as easily upgraded as desktop graphics cards. I know RAM can be upgraded, but in general laptops are not built for upgrading.

Answer 3

Update the computer by getting another one and not a Dell. Get a Mac or any other.