Unfortunately, the Inspiron 1525 cannot be upgraded to either 8400M GS or 8600M GT. It's motherboard is different from 1520.

Intel X3100 is an integrated GPU solution. It's different from the dedicated GPU solution such as 8400M GS or 8600M GT.

so unless I get the entire motherboard changed.. there wouldnt be any opportunities?

You have a motherboard that can support dedicated GPU?
Most unlikely DELL malaysia got it. Laptop Parts so difficult to find here.esp newer laptops.

Deznom, no way fren.
inspiron 1525 only 1 type motherboard.
not like inspiron 1420 and 1520, there models come with 2 different type of motherboard.

Get 1530 , why get 1525? Its not for gaming

Perhaps he just realized after buying that Intel X3100 has not enough juice.
Buy another one la.

Alrite, here we go. I've taken the liberty to test out some of the newest games (and older games too) and I hope that everyone can use these for their base reference. I've included OC'ed bench too.

*Note: Just in case some of you are wondering, some of the games are borrowed. I do not own all the games. I hope that every Inspiron 1520 can contribute to this list as a base reference.

@alex, maybe you should put this list in the front page for future ref. Thanks.

Specification: Intel C2D T7250 2.00GHz, 2GB DDR2-800, 256MB NVIDIA 8600M GT, 250GB Hitachi SATA 5400RPM, Windows Vista SP1, Forceware 180.84.
Note: OC'ed NVIDIA 8600M GT is clocked at 650/1300/550.

3DMark 2006 (1280x800; Default Settings; PhysX in Control Panel OFF):
Default: 3649 3DMarks
OC'ed: 5019 3DMarks
*Note: PhysX is turned oFF because it will cause the GPU to throttle to 2D Clocks if enabled. Not sure why this happens though.
*Note: If I have time, I'll tryout Vantage.

Dead Space (1280x800; Max Settings; Vsync OFF) Measured using FRAPS.
Default: Min 23FPS; Avg: 31FPS; Max: 40FPS
OC'ed: Min: 32FPS; Avg: 44FPS; Max: 50FPS
Maximum measured temperature: 78°C for CPU, 72°C for GPU
*Note: Vsync causes the game to capped to 30FPS. I don't think Vsync is required since it already runs below 60FPS.

Counter-Strike: Source Video Stress Test (1280x800, Max Settings, 4xAA, 16xAF)
OC'ed: 133.84 FPS
Default: 96.65 FPS
*Note: Video Stress Test is not a good measurement if compared to practical gameplay session.

Counter-Strike: Source 16 Bots (Same settings as above)
Default: Min 35FPS; Avg 57FPS; Max 68FPS
OC'ed: Min 44FPS; Avg 65FPS; Max 84FPS
Recommended Settings: 1280x800, Max Settings, 2xAA (4xAA if overclock), 16xAF
*Note: Minimum FPS happens when there are heavy actions. If you're playing in a server less than 16 players, then you can go for 4xAA without OC.

Need for Speed™ Undercover (1280x800, Everything High, No AA, No AF, Reflection On)
Default: Min 22FPS; Avg: 27FPS; Max: 34FPS
OC'ed: Min 25FPS; Avg: 30FPS; Max: 42FPS
Recommended Settings: 1280x800, Everything on High, Shadows OFF, No AA and AF, Reflection OFF)
*Note: Maximum measured temperature: 61°C for GPU

Crysis® (1280x800, Custom Config, Shadows OFF, Godray ON, No AA, No AF, Volumetric Effects OFF, Motion Blur OFF, HDR ON, Default view distance, DX9-codepath, SSAO OFF, LowSpec Texture (Not enough VRAM))
Default: Min 24FPS; Avg 32FPS
OC'ed: Min 27FPS; Avg 36FPS
*Note: It's very playable with the custom config. And definitely I think the GodRay is a better choice than enabling shadows.
*Note: Maximum observed temperature is 77°C.

Unreal Tournament III Deathmatch 7 Bots (1280x800, Sliders on 5, Hardware Physics OFF, FOV 100)
Default: Min 26FPS; Avg 36FPS
OC'ed: Min 34FPS; Avg 45FPS
Recommended Settings: 1280x800, Sliders on 4, Hardware Physics OFF, FOV 100 (Widescreen)
*Note: Since this game uses Unreal Engine 3, the setting and performance guideline can be used for Gears of War too. Remember to turn off PhysX for this game too. It will likely to take up the resources of the graphic card if enabled.

Command & Conquers 3: Kane's Wrath (1280x800, Settings on High, Shaders Ultra High, Shadows Ultra High, No AA, No AF)
Default: Min 24FPS; Avg 27FPS; Max 30FPS
OC'ed: Min 29FPS; Avg 30FPS; Max 30FPS
*Note: This game has a frame limit of 30FPS. Therefore, the max FPS is 30FPS only.

Fallout 3 (1280x800, Custom Config, Lowest view distance, Shadows ON, HDR On, 2xAA)
Default: Min 31FPS; Avg 39FPS
OC'ed: Not tested
*Note: I don't have the game with me now. So, I forgot the custom config settings.

EDIT: New game added
Rainbow Six Vegas 2 v1.03 (1280x800, AR 16:10, All settings Maximum, No AA)
Default: Min 23 FPS, Avg 34 FPS
OC'ed: Min 34 FPS, Avg 46 FPS
*Note: Game very playable.

This post has been edited by Demonic Wrath: Dec 29 2008, 10:36 AM

WOW , there is a HUGE improvement!!!!!

And are you sure its safe to overclock more than what you proposed last time?

As for now , i dont have any major problem on my com , but sometimes the game crash.

Grany screen only occurs once , and my temperature never exceed 80C....

Really scared to destroy this thing because if i destroy it , i will need to work 3 months to buy another one.....T.T

Hmm, you may OC more than what I proposed last time. Every GPU is made different, some may OC higher. Some games may crash even at stable OC because it is too sensitive. From what I experience, if I OC too high, it'll throttle down my GPU to 2D clocks when I run some heavy graphics game or application. Maximum stable OC I can get is 680/1360/570. Any higher than that will result in GPU throttling.

HOHO , you are going to the extreme man..

BTW , a noob question here , do you know the temperature shown in the Rivertuner is the temperature of the GPU or the Intel core temperaure?

It just written thee "core temperature"

The temperature shown is for the GPU core. Actually for temperature monitoring I'd suggest HWMonitor as you can monitor the temperature of your CPU, GPU and HDD too.

I have an Ispiron 1520 and are experiencing some Issues with playing games in general.

I used to be able to play all of my games fine with medium graphics. (Team Fortress 2, CoD4, Crysis, CSS)
Now all of a sudden I cannot play anything except for CoD4 and CSS.

The computer can't even handle runescape... I don't understand how come CoD4 works yet less graphic intensive games cannot.
TF2 is fine in the respawn room, but if there are more then 6 people on the screen then it starts to slow down, and if there are over 12 people it slows to around .5 fps.

The specs are:
2 gHz Core 2 Duo T5750
3gb DDR2 RAM
8600M GT w/256mb VRAM
250g SATA HD

If anyone knows what the problem is or could be that would be a great help.

I've tryed defrags, fresh installs of the games, updating all my drivers yet to to no avail. The only problem I can think of is any overheating issue.

Try these steps:-
1) Download Powermizer Switch. Set to Maximum Performance for both AC and Battery. This will disable the Powermizer function for NVIDIA.
2) Download i8kfanGUI, then by using the program, set to "Force fans to high speed". This is to increase the speed of your fan. Put your hand at the exhaust port to feel whether there's wind coming out or not.
3) If you suspect high temperature, use HWMonitor to check out the temperature.
4) Can you also please state your version of graphic driver you're using?
5) Please make sure you have not overclock your laptop.

Don't OC unless you want to send your unit to notebook heaven ..
If you seriously into OC, a cheaper alternative is to get a desktop.. you will have more head room for OC..

This post has been edited by mych: Dec 30 2008, 08:08 PM

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!! FELLOW 1520 USERS!!!!

This post has been edited by wilsonjay: Jan 1 2009, 12:10 AM

Happy new year!

Happy New Year 2009 to all Inspiron users!

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009 !!!!!!!!

happy new year too...any resolution for this lappy?lol

may this year help to increase our inspirons lifespan!!!! XD