Home
This tutorial explains how you can upgrade your Dell Inspiron E1705 a.k.a. Inspiron 9400 by replacing the graphics card and installing more memory.
Dell has done something great here, a laptop that is user-serviceable and user-upgradable…Tonight, I ventured into wild with a few components and upgrades not normally available.
Dell Inspiron E1705/9400 laptop has two user-accessible memory slots. According to Dell specifications, you can install up 2GB into this unit (up to 1GB into each slot). You should use PC2-5400 DDR-II 667MHz modules.
Even though Dell says that you cannot install more then 2GB, the author of this tutorial installed 4GB (two 2GB modules) into his laptop.
The issue with a lot of bios’ out there (desktops, laptops, and even the XPS-line of previous laptops) is that they do not allow full access to all 4096 MB of ram – if you were to stick in 4GB of ram. The E1705 is one of them, and limits you to utilizing only 3.2 GB of ram available to the OS.
In addition to memory upgrade, the author was able to replace his ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 graphics card with a more powerful nVidia Quatro FX2500m 512MB graphics card. In order to install new graphics card, you’ll have to modify the laptop case.
Make sure to read through comments posted after the tutorial. You’ll have to install modified drivers to make your new graphics card to work correctly.
What you want to do is download a special “hacked” set. It’s basically the highend drivers from nvidia “desktop only” series of cards (laptops have lower-end versions). But with a slight tweak to the INI files to allow you to install it for your 2500m Quatra mobile edition.
Here’s another tutorial for upgrading the graphics card in a Dell Inspiron E1705 laptop, you’ll find it here. The author explains how to replace ATI x1400 graphics card with NVIDIA 7800go. In this tutorial you’ll find step-by-step laptop disassembly instructions, graphics card installation instructions and a few benchmarks to show you of the difference in performance.
The top picture in the x1400 that we removed, and the bottom picture is our new baby that is going into the e1705. The 7800go, while not the top of the line for NVIDIA mobile graphics anymore should be more than enough for the gamer that is taking his laptop on the road and will do some gaming. The installation of this card is no different than the x1400 as they use the same heat sink and assembly, so just pop it in, and then put everything back together.
ATI x1400 graphics card
NVIDIA 7800go graphics card
UPDATE: I just found another guide for Dell Inspiron E1705 (9400) users. This guide explains how to disassemble the laptop and replace the video card.
Originally, my notebook, a Dell Inspiron E1705 (9400), was equipped with a NVIDIA GeForce Go 7800 video card. In order to improve its graphical performance, I decided to replace it by a NVIDIA Geforce Go 7900 GTX.
Also, check out my new instructions for replacing a damaged keyboard in a Dell Inspiron 9400 laptop.
Static electricity can kill your laptop. I recommend wearing an anti-static wrist strap while working with internal parts of your laptop.
If you find this article useful, please consider making a donation to the author. Thank you!
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 am
[...] My previous post explains how to add more memory and upgrade the video card. [...]
December 5th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Where did you get the part? I called Dell and they weren’t interested in selling it.
December 5th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Jason,
I think you’ll have to search for a new video card on ebay.
December 26th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Wow – fantasic, I’ve been searching for something like this for a while…
My question is, is this viable on an inspron 1505?
Is this process essentially the same?
I’d dearly love to upgrade my 1505.
Cheers,
Rich
January 24th, 2009 at 5:28 am
I want to tell you about my problem. I hope you can advise me so I am cofused now.I have got Dell 1705/9400, 2Ghz Dual Core, 4GB Ram, 256 MB geforce7800 go, 1920*1200 resolution display.
I had a problem with my power suppy after then my mainboard has crashed. I sent it different services but they couldnt fix it. So I have searched new mainboard from e-bay, alibaba.com etc. Finally I found the board and get it. Even i told seller that i have got extra graphical card, send me card which is avaible for geforce 7800, he sent met he card with integrated card. Whats different is they are looks like same. Difference is new one doesnt have stereo, mic output, heatsink fan power socket. And it has got extra display socket near to PCI-Ex socket.
I cant plug display card to socket cause of other display socket, and i cant plug heatsink fan power cord to socket, cos it hasnt got socket.
So what should i do? I can remove to included display output socket on the board and welding heatsink power socket. Then instal geforce 7800. But i am not sure that it will work or not. Should i remove and force to install my card or work with internal simple intel graphical card?
January 24th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
oguzhan orer,
Sounds like you purchased a wrong motherboard and unfortunately I cannot help you.
The best way for find a new motherboard replacement is searching by the manufacturer’s part number. In most cases you can find the motherboard part number in the memory compartment.
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I have a DELL INSPIRON E1705 with Nvid 256MB graphics card. Couple of weeks ago the display goes distorted after pluging in a network cable to computer. Everything was seems working but some wierd color lines and at the end Windows screen goes unreadable than turned black. After couble of hours work I could it fix it. Then I removed the battery, run the computer and after waiting 4-5 minutes, unplug the power cable to give my laptop a shock. And it worked. After this shock, I restarted it again and it worked normally….Now…I have the same problem but this time my shock tactic does not seem to work. I think the graphic card has a problem. LAst time, by chance, I have reseted it (I guess) but this time it is not working. Any suggestion or any way to reset my graphic card before deciding to buy a new one?
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Okan,
You’ll have to test your laptop with an external monitor and check the external video. Does your laptop work with an external monitor? Can you get any video at all?
February 19th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I had the same malfunction in my inspiron e1705 video card(nvidia geforce go 7800) after plugging into a network cable. Geeksquad said i need a new video card. Is there a way to replace/upgrade the video card without having to modify the new card (geforce 7900 gtx by cutting off one of the heatsinks?!) or the computer?
February 24th, 2009 at 11:24 am
The e1705/9400 has an issue with frying its video card. Try to get your warranty extended. They will replace your entire system with a newer model.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Larz,
How do you do that? Do you have to call Dell and ask for that or they do it for all e1705/9400 laptops?
Have you been able to extend warranty on your laptop?
March 25th, 2009 at 4:06 am
“The e1705/9400 has an issue with frying its video card. Try to get your warranty extended. They will replace your entire system with a newer model.”
I believe I have this issue, I have a 9400 with the 7900GS card the warranty is over this august.
I have been having blue screen errors the last while. It seems to happen after the computer has been on overnight or I play a 3d game. If I reboot right after the blue screen the dell screen comes up with a lot of random pixels being the wrong color like the video memory / frame buffer has been corrupted or something. If I turn the laptop off and let it cool down for 5 or 10 mins and turn it on the screen comes back on correctly, no random colored pixels.
The error that comes up is a NMI Memory Parity Error. I have reseated my system ram, 2 X 1 gig sticks, ran with 1 stick then the other the error always returns. I have ran all the built in memory tests and the memory diagnotic utility in vista with no errors. So this plus the wierd pixel colors after a blue screen reboot is pushing me towards blaming the video card.
I have also ran the video card memory stress test application overnight without it detecting any errors and the nvidia ntune stability test and no errors on that either.
What I am wondering is how I can get dell to replace the video card or the entire system prefferably, I have been on the phone with thier support for over a hour on sunday and they are telling me since none of the tests come up with an error they are sayings its a software / driver error and they cant replace anything.
March 25th, 2009 at 4:10 am
Laptop Tech Says:
“Have you been able to extend warranty on your laptop?”
When I was on tech support on Sunday, Canada tech support the guy was trying to get me to extend my warranty for 1 year for about $130 or 2 years for about $210.
I told him I would love to do that but only if I can get this issue resolved since whats the point of extending a warranty when they cant fix my current issue.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:49 am
I’m having the exact same problem, and mine is out of warranty. Has anyone purchased the extended warranty and had the card replaced under it? Did they send you a new card, or do you have to ship the laptop to them?
April 19th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Just an FYI – I had the same issue with the video going all ASCII on me and then pretty much becoming unusable. After considerable time with Dell offshore tech support (still under warranty), I convinced them to send the nVidia GO 7800 AND a new motherboard. Turns out, when the tech was here, that if you don’t replace them both at the same time, you end up with the same problem.
Anyway, that was over a year ago and has been working fine since. Now, once my warranty runs out, I might just give the upgrade a try. Good info, thanks a lot
May 5th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I have a Dell E1705. I had the NV card go out twice and had a terrible go round with tech support. They were good but it just seems to be Dells policy to stonewall you. Took several days, have tech go through every test they could think of. I have had similar video card problems in the past with a desk top and was pretty sure that was the problem. One time they sent out a tech and they had me send the unit away to have them fix it. replaced video card like I said. the second time was even longer and more of a hassle, same, bad card, they sent me an ATI after they wanted me to wait 3 months for NV backlog, right. Haven’t had a problem since but will never buy a Dell product again, just because of the run around. NV has had problems with some of their cards for a LONG time. Both them and Dell have known and done nothing. Do a google search about NV card problems
May 28th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
My Inspiron 9400 equiped with a Nvidia GeForce 7900 GS has been experiencing graphics display issues (just as described above, giving “The Matrix” like effect on the start up Dell page). Once booted the screen is pixelated in the background. Tried to install the Nvidia driver but it wouldn’t recognize the hardware. Tried a second time the installation blanked out my screen completely, had to go into Safe Mode and restore to the last working starting point. Presently running on default driver.
Being still under warranty (ending in a few weeks from now), I called Dell Tech Support and was able to have them take my laptop to be fixed (being picked up by Puralator). Also took the opportunity to extend the warranty … better be covered otherwise it’s $500 to have them take care of the laptop.
Can anyone tell me whether the graphic card (not sure whether it is embedded or not) will be the same or a different model?
May 29th, 2009 at 1:03 am
My two year old Inspiron 9400/E1705 came with Nvidia GeForce 7900 GS. The video card was fried 4 times since December 2008. Fortunately I purchased extended warranty at the time of purchase and was able to get the card replaced. It took more than 2 weeks each time as Nvidia is not manufacturing this card any more, So Dell used refurbished cards instead of new ones. This time around Dell Australia agreed to replace the system. I’m waiting for the configuration of the new system from the Dell Customer Service. Hopefully this nightmare will be over soon.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I have not had any issues with my x1400 but I would like an upgrade. Is the 7900GTX the best option right now for compatibility with the E1705?
June 10th, 2009 at 4:21 am
Guys the whole deal is that, the NV’s 7900GS has 2 modifications. The one (the factory screwed one) is with one heat radiator, that causes the overheating of the card, and causes failure ot the RAM of the card(you have to replace the video card). The other (better) modification is the NV 7900 GS with 2 radiators(same like the GTX but this one is with 256RAM). So DON’T buy or take the one radiator video card it’ll crash again for sure.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Hey folks – this isn’t a graphics/memory question, but can anyone help with suggestions for my E1705 DVD RW drive? It seems to have crapped out. Can I easily replace it or am I out of luck? THANKS!
June 18th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
That is a link to one for sale on eBay. You can replace the drive. 1 screw in the bottom of the case. Less than a 60 second repair. Good luck!
July 9th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Thanks for all the great info! After ready some of your articles, I’ve decided to upgrade a few things instead of buying a new computer. Allll was going well until…
At restart, I get the blue Dell screen then display goes blank (where Windows XP would normally begin loading) and I have no control except powering off.
I have the laptop disassembled and am cleaning/checking components and connections. The cooling fans had a RIDICULOUS amount of dust collected! I also upgraded memory cards (both): from *512MB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz to *2GB DDR2 SO-DIMM 200-pin 667MHz cards that I got for under $50 total at RadioShack. They are distributed by company called Centon, but looks lik they’re actually Samsung parts. Haven’t gotten a chance to see them in action because of previously mentioned BSoD. Display is off hinges (not opened yet), keyboard off, hard drive optical drive battery removed. Now I’m stuck and don’t know what my next step is…
Checking to make sure all connections are correct and see if I can put all back and restart. Do you have any suggestion, or thoughts on why computer blanks out? Also, while I have this thing open, my onboard speakers haven’t work for awhile now. Is this a regular problem on the E1705 (was reading about 700m model)? Any suggestions on how I can test speakers? I actually think its a missing driver but havent had a chance check it out.
Thank you for any feedback and insight.
July 11th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Everyone’s having this E1705 bsod/screen-distortion video problem… and same here. Why doesn’t Dell just make it easy to replace? Every wronged/pissed-off customer is another lost customer, and another 30 people being warned against buying Dell.
July 20th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
i have an inspiron 9400 and took out an extended warranty. so far it has had three replacdment hard drives and three replacement video cards.
the last time it went back, a month ago, i heard nothing from dell which was unusual as they usually ring or text. when i rang them they said my pc had water spillage damage and they refused to replace the video card.
they offered to replace the ‘damaged’ hard drive, mother board and video card at a cost of £400.
i was absolutely furious and accused them of wriggling out of their extended warranty. i asked for the machine back with a report and the photographs they said they had of the interior of the machine.
i then took it to pc world for an independent report. there had been spillage according to pc world but it was not recent and had damaged the cd drive which is temperamental in opening. so it seems dell were using this as an excuse because they had replaced parts on four previous occasions without this damage being mentioned.
i got back to dell but they were just not interested.
i ran the pc in safe mode and the next time i logged in it ran perfectly so much for the £400 for the complete replacement of water spilled parts which dell claimed was necessary.
i have bought three dells in the past but never again. i feel i have been defrauded and i still have two years to run on the extended warranty which they have now cancelled without a refund.
July 25th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Where can I find two 2GB modules ?
August 31st, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I was just wondering where i can get the “special “hacked” set” of drivers for the nVidia Quatro FX2500m 512MB graphics card used in this upgrade. Im seriously considering doing this upgrade, but i would like to know i have or can get all the drivers and parts required before i start. Thanks.
September 4th, 2009 at 6:14 am
With the decrease in price of acceptable laptops i tend to think of them as throw away items now and buy a new budget one every year!
September 29th, 2009 at 7:32 am
After considering upgrading my 9400’s X1400 graphics card I think I’ve changed my mind. Mine’s been a well travelled work horse for years and have never had a minutes grief. I’m taking rakebacks comments to heart and leaving my 9400 (1920*1200 resolution) well alone in favour of buying a new laptop. I shall keep it as a backup/slave machine!
Budgeting for a new one every 2-3 years seems realistic to me, given the leaps in performance you can expect in that time.
Besides the 9400 I also have three Dell desktops and apart from the poor choice of CD/DVD drives none of them have given me any real hassle, even when upgrading. Having worked with numerous systems for several companies that are regularly crashing & burning, Dell get the thumbs up from me.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Helo All Dell 9400 users Help
I have broken my screen it is WUXGA TrueBright, can any one tell me the Dell part number/s for the screen so I can purchase a replacement.
Wouls a screen from XPS140, M1710 be usable?
Many Many Thanks
October 17th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Hi,
I;ve recently purchased the new dell inspiron 1720, which is little more than a glorified netbook.
The graphics are terrible. and i was wondering if i can uppgrade my graphics card. (Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family. 780 mb)
Any advice greatly appreciated.