Graphics card request

[SEseph]

I have a Dell XPS 1710 (we can do without the statements of how I need a diffrent comp for now) and everything worked great with AH. I could have all the settings maxed out and never get a frame rate below 59fps (monitor only handles 60fps). A couple of weeks ago, it went out and the problem is not replacing the card as I know where to find a few but the cost of $500 is not as exciting to me for a semi decent card.

So the reason for my post.. I was hoping (please please please ) someone would know where I can get a
nVidia GeForce Go 7900 GTX or a 7950 for my laptop at a more reasonable cost. I can replace it, so that is a mute point (I know older and alot of current laptops do not allow replacement of certain hardware, mine does)

Thanks in advance.

[Fulmar]

I would say ebay and buy used, but the range for these appears to be $150+.  I'm not sure what you're looking for in price.  Seems to be a small supply of these which causes the price to be quite high.

[Chalenge]

Laptop? Can you change out video on a laptop?

[Fulmar]

Laptop? Can you change out video on a laptop?

On a few you can.

[Chalenge]

That right there is proof you can learn something every day. 

[MrRiplEy[H]]

On a few you can.

Yep you can reprogram your gearbox in Ferrari Enzo too. If you catch my drift.

[batch]

Yep you can reprogram your gearbox in Ferrari Enzo too. If you catch my drift.

If your drift is to imply that just because you can doesnt mean you should, or that it will somehow be disastorous. You couldnt be further from wrong in this particular case.

Notice nobody is talking about ALL laptops, the word "some" was used. Some laptops are designed with replaceable video cards. In fact if I remember correctly some of them were even marketed as such in the past.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

If your drift is to imply that just because you can doesnt mean you should, or that it will somehow be disastorous. You couldnt be further from wrong in this particular case.

Notice nobody is talking about ALL laptops, the word "some" was used. Some laptops are designed with replaceable video cards. In fact if I remember correctly some of them were even marketed as such in the past.

I'm implying that the ones that do have the option are priced like a Ferrari. Much better to get a desktop.

[batch]

I would agree its much better to get a desktop........ unless of course you happen to need a laptop.

[TequilaChaser]

my old employer was upgrading the IBM/thinkpad laptops at our company.......this particular model back then, that SEseph currently owns.is the exact same model I suggest our company buy since we had acquired a DELL business account........each of us who were issued laptops..........got to pick and choose what type of upgrades we wanted.......the Dell XPS 1710 core2duo models were excellent for a laptop to play AH, as long as you upgraded the video from the standard/basic onboard intel videochip........

with Skuzzy's suggestion I had mine sent back to have the Ati Mobility 256 meg video added........ the difference was night & day....... Boss asked why I needed the upgrade, I told him that I could get more done doing CAD & Load calcs........also I needed another gig of ram added to up it to 2 gigs........

those DELL XPS 1710's 17" widescreen monitor had a huge amount of optional upgrades , video, ram, HD, soundcard, wireless features, DVD RW drives etc...... best I recall.......for their time..got mine in Sept of 2005 or may have been 2006........

[Ghastly]

We bought one at work some time ago - it came standard with a backpack to carry it in. 

(It should actually have come with a wheelbarrow, but I bet that the marketing department nixed that ...     )

[SEseph]

Price is the problem. If you've found some on E-bay for less than $450 then they musta been put up recently as every time I've looked I've gotten few hits. While a desktop might be a good option, I made sure to optimize the 1710 with every upgrade possible. This was done when money was plentiful because I earned a wonderful pricetag of $3600. And yes, I even got a packpack with it 

The Dell 1710 was marketed as one of the first to have a replacable video card. There in lays the problem, as stated before, few are available for aftermarket sale unless you are willing to pay an arm and a leg. The system I'm using now is horrible for AH so I need a card, just not excited about the price tag.