Dell XPS M1730 with U3011 or U2711 Monitor

[emeslyaakov]

I have a Dell XPS M1730 with an Nvidia 8700M GT video card.

I want to get either a U2711 or U3011 monitor. Will either one work with my current setup? If I need to upgrade the video card, what is the cheapest card that will work with this setup?

Thanks.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Without knowing what you want to do, that question is just about impossible to answer. And frankly I'm a bit confused about asking what is the cheapest GFX card to use w/ a $1500 monitor.

Those two monitors are built w/ very expensive IPS panels.....excellent choices for Photo buffs and GFX professionals requiring accurate color. If that's not you, then I'd buy a TN monitor and improve. If the goal is gaming, and I assume it is given Dell advertised that unit as a "gaming laptop", the card is way underpowered. Looking here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6950-1gb-geforce-gtx-560-ti-gaming-graphics-card,2857-7.html

It's listed in Tier 19. It certainly will be over matched with any of today's current games.

But, since the Dell XPS M1730 is a laptop, and "It's a Dell", I don't see that you have nay option but to remain w/what you have.

If I was going to spend $1500, and it must involve a laptop, it would be a custom built Clevo P170HM where you do have an option of updating the GFX at some point.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/91510-clevo-guide-v2-0-faq-reseller-info.html
http://www.pro-star.com/index.cfm?mainpage=product&filter=7

 

[emeslyaakov]

I use the laptop mostly for business. I need to bring it to clients' offices, that is why I got a laptop. At the time, the xps m1730 was one of Dell's strongest laptops, that is why i got it.

I also do photo editing.

I want a big monitos and I want an IPS monitor, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I want to spend $1,000 for a video card. If that is what I must do, then it may make more sense to buy a new computer that already has a sufficient video card.

I can get an 8700 SLI for less than $300. If that will work, that may be a way to go. If not, then I need a more expensive card or a different machine.

Dell really has nothing to say on the subject, and their official word is that there is no video card upgrade for my machine, even though we know that that is not so.

 

[emeslyaakov]

Without knowing what you want to do, that question is just about impossible to answer. And frankly I'm a bit confused about asking what is the cheapest GFX card to use w/ a $1500 monitor.

Those two monitors are built w/ very expensive IPS panels.....excellent choices for Photo buffs and GFX professionals requiring accurate color. If that's not you, then I'd buy a TN monitor and improve. If the goal is gaming, and I assume it is given Dell advertised that unit as a "gaming laptop", the card is way underpowered. Looking here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6950-1gb-geforce-gtx-560-ti-gaming-graphics-card,2857-7.html

It's listed in Tier 19. It certainly will be over matched with any of today's current games.

But, since the Dell XPS M1730 is a laptop, and "It's a Dell", I don't see that you have nay option but to remain w/what you have.

If I was going to spend $1500, and it must involve a laptop, it would be a custom built Clevo P170HM where you do have an option of updating the GFX at some point.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/91510-clevo-guide-v2-0-faq-reseller-info.html
http://www.pro-star.com/index.cfm?mainpage=product&filter=7

OK, I have looked at the various laptop offerings, and am ready to go to a desktop (or floor top). What graphics card would you recommend given that the major need will be photo editing, maybe I'll get into video editing, and that I will be getting a 30 inch IPS monitor such as the DEll U3011?

Thank you.

 

[emeslyaakov]

I got the "official" word from sales and from tech, but we see people who quite successfully use better cards.

 

[Vnix]

I have Dell XPS 1730 with GTX9800M SLi sitting next to me on other desk. So either Dell lied to you, or they ran out of higher model cards. Mine was replaced after 2nd breakdown, from 8800 to 9800. But as upgrade alone, it cost 1000 Euros back then. Anyway, not much difference between 8800 and 9800, however I can't confirm performance jump from 8700 to 9800.