Printable View
I am having dell inspiron 5100 and I want to know if it is possible to upgrade its GPU. Currently it is having ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 - 32 MB. I have asked about it to some of my friend and they said that it’s not upgradable where as some said that I can. So if it is upgradable then which will be the best compatible card for it???
As far as I am aware it is upgradable but I don’t know which one will be the best choice for it. Better go through Dell inspiron 5100 video card compatibility list and upgrade to the one you find best.
I have been looking after video card compatibility list for Dell inspiron 5100 but I am not able to find it anywhere. It seems as if dell doesn’t have it, can you cross check it for me and let me know if you find it anywhere???
I also wanted to know if replacing video card of a laptop is a difficult task or I can install the new one myself as well?? I don’t have much experience in all these things so I am bit worried.
Below are the video cards that I have found I compatibility list of Inspiron 5100:
ATI Radeon Mobility 7500, M7 32MB
ATI Radeon Mobility 7500, M7 64MB
ATI Radeon Mobility 9000, M9 32MB
ATI Radeon Mobility 9000, M9 64MB
Since your inspiron 5100 is having ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 - 32 MB your best choice will be ATI Radeon Mobility 9000, M9 64MB.
Replacing video card of laptop doesn’t need much experience but you do need good information. So in that case you can follow below article:
EMI Shield, Video Card, and Palm Rest Dell Inspiron 1100, 5100, and 5150 Service Manual Documentation.
It’s provided by dell and they have explained everything in detail along with pictures, In case you face any issue in understanding anything you can revert back for further help.
Hey thanks for that guide, things look simple now. However, I want to know if I am having above limited options only or there are some other options out there??
Yes you have above limited upgrade options only. Anyways I wanted to add that you will have to update your bios to latest I5100 BIOS before upgrading. In case you get flickering blue lines after installing the card than you will have to get your card replaced. Some people using Dell inspiron 5150 have already faced that issue, so there are possibilities of it to occur in your case as well.
As far as driver is concerned make sure that you are installing 2.5.14 one and not any other. Other version of drivers have been found to cause artifacts so be careful.