Could I replace my motherboard on my XPS L702X?

[shangrila500]

Hey everyone,
So I ordered a Dell XPS 17 L702x with an Intel i7-2670QM processor, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M 3GB graphics with Optimus, and 8 GB of RAM. As with most of the other people with 702's found out we got screwed out of our 4 DIMM slots and only have 2. So I have read just about everything I can find on this problem and have yet to find a fix. Dell won't replace my laptop or MOBO or do anything. I had to call in to CS to get my order to go through 3 different times and spoke with at least 7 people including a supervisor and I asked them all if I had the 4 DIMM's and they said yes. When Dell contacted me today on the phone they told me that they had no record of me ever talking to anyone except for the night before and that since I didn't record the phone conversations I was SOL. So I looked into other options such as soldering on the 2 DIMM slots, well no one can get them at all thanks to Dell, and I also looked into just replacing my MOBO. That seems to be the only option to get my 4 DIMM slots, but I have no idea which MOBO to get and I have no clue if it will work with my laptops other parts. Will someone please advise me on how to do this, which MOBO to get, how to replace it and if it will work right and if not what other parts I need to exchange to make everything work right. Also if there is another way to get my other 2 DIMM slots then by all means tell me please.
Any help at all is welcome. Thank you so much.
--Derek

[madmattd]

I feel your pain. I argued for days with Dell over this, every other rep would tell me I had 4 slots, and wanted to know how I knew I didn't (DUH, I looked fools!). In the end I gave up because I liked the system overall and didn't really need 16GB for my uses, I just wanted the future-proofing. At the time 8GB sticks were over $800 each. Now they are $40-$50!

The ONLY way to get 4 DIMMS is to get the 3D-screen system, which means no Optimus, more heat, less battery life, no quick sync, etc. However, if you need more RAM, 8GB sticks are pretty cheap now and are confirmed to work in the l702x with no problems.

[shangrila500]

That's what I have gathered so far from what dell told me but I find it hard to believe that i cannot change out my MOBO since it is the only problem. They have told me that the 3d MOBO and the regular 3g MOBO are completely different and I can't believe that either. I may be completely wrong about that also, but i really think it is just a way for dell to slip out of replacing anything. Granted my computer works fairly well and I can upgrade to 16 GB of RAM for fairly cheap now that the prices have dropped, but it still pisses me off that dell didn't do what they told me they would and they gave me a computer that isn't what its supposed to me. I am not trying to be rude, I am just venting, it really irks me that when confronted they tell me they have no record of me ever calling them when if i hadn't I still wouldn't have a computer. Looking back I should have never called and either built my own laptop or bought one from somewhere else. Anyway, is there really no MOBO that is made for my computer that has 4 DIMM slots that will work with my other hardware? If no then what will i have to change? I can't afford to buy a new one but I see MOBO's on eBay that are for XPS L702x with 4 DIMM slots that say nothing about 3d. If i did go with using a 3d board what will I have to change?

[dave-p]

It highlights the problem that the Sales and customer service reps do not really know what thiey are talking about when it comes to technical questions,

You should still have the option of return for refund in the first 21 days don't you ?

[shangrila500]

I wish i still had the 21 day return policy, it ran up last month, I didn't know I had to check my laptop out to make sure it was assembled correctly though. I will from now on out though. If i had any other options I would go for them but i don't. So I am really hoping I can change out my MOBO or that there is some other option to get my 4 DIMM slots

[madmattd]

That's what I have gathered so far from what dell told me but I find it hard to believe that i cannot change out my MOBO since it is the only problem. They have told me that the 3d MOBO and the regular 3g MOBO are completely different and I can't believe that either. I may be completely wrong about that also, but i really think it is just a way for dell to slip out of replacing anything. Granted my computer works fairly well and I can upgrade to 16 GB of RAM for fairly cheap now that the prices have dropped, but it still pisses me off that dell didn't do what they told me they would and they gave me a computer that isn't what its supposed to me. I am not trying to be rude, I am just venting, it really irks me that when confronted they tell me they have no record of me ever calling them when if i hadn't I still wouldn't have a computer. Looking back I should have never called and either built my own laptop or bought one from somewhere else. Anyway, is there really no MOBO that is made for my computer that has 4 DIMM slots that will work with my other hardware? If no then what will i have to change? I can't afford to buy a new one but I see MOBO's on eBay that are for XPS L702x with 4 DIMM slots that say nothing about 3d. If i did go with using a 3d board what will I have to change?

Acutally, it is true, the 3D 555m board and the non-3D 555m board ARE different. On the 3D board, the monitor output is hardwired to the video card, where on the non-3D it is wired to the Intel graphics to allow Optimus to work. Physically different modes, which is why you can't just swap then either. if you see a 4-slot board listed, it either is missing the 2 clips like all non-3D ones (software will still report 4 slots there as electrically it is capable), or it is a 3D board. To use the 3D board you would need the 3D screen and emitter (and perhaps the monitor cable). The parts can be swapped as the chassis are identical. But like I said, you lose Optimus, which means more heat/power consumption so less battery life (about 1/2) and more fan noise. Up to you though.

There is NO 4-slot non-3D option, period. One person back at the very beginning last year claimed to get one, but this was never proved out to my recollection. And based on what I have learned since, it never could have existed.

[shangrila500]

OK, so if I did want to go with the 3d option and just change everything out, I am always plugged in, how much do you think it would run?

[madmattd]

OK, so if I did want to go with the 3d option and just change everything out, I am always plugged in, how much do you think it would run?

Several hundred $$ I'd say. But I don't know for sure what the market value on the mobo and screen and emitter is.

[Mourin @ Dell]

Hey everyone,
So I ordered a Dell XPS 17 L702x with an Intel i7-2670QM processor, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M 3GB graphics with Optimus, and 8 GB of RAM. As with most of the other people with 702's found out we got screwed out of our 4 DIMM slots and only have 2. So I have read just about everything I can find on this problem and have yet to find a fix. Dell won't replace my laptop or MOBO or do anything. I had to call in to CS to get my order to go through 3 different times and spoke with at least 7 people including a supervisor and I asked them all if I had the 4 DIMM's and they said yes. When Dell contacted me today on the phone they told me that they had no record of me ever talking to anyone except for the night before and that since I didn't record the phone conversations I was SOL. So I looked into other options such as soldering on the 2 DIMM slots, well no one can get them at all thanks to Dell, and I also looked into just replacing my MOBO. That seems to be the only option to get my 4 DIMM slots, but I have no idea which MOBO to get and I have no clue if it will work with my laptops other parts. Will someone please advise me on how to do this, which MOBO to get, how to replace it and if it will work right and if not what other parts I need to exchange to make everything work right. Also if there is another way to get my other 2 DIMM slots then by all means tell me please.
Any help at all is welcome. Thank you so much.
--Derek

Hey Derek,

This thread will provide some relevant information about the DIMM slots.
Re: Dell L702x RAM Slots issue !!! - Laptop General Hardware Forum - Laptop - Dell Community

Mourin@Dell

[shangrila500]

Mourin @ Dell

I have read all of that thread. The problem is that Dell blatantly lied to me when I was ordering over the phone and when I confronted them about it I was told that they had no record of me ever calling in to Dell which is ANOTHER LIE. I had to call in 3 separate times and spoke with at the very least 7 different people, one of which was a supervisor, and I asked each of them if my laptop would come with 4 DIMM slots and they all checked my specs and said yes, not once did they tell me I needed the 3D screen. So I don't know why you're telling me to look at that post when it offer no more relevant information except for Dell telling everyone there that they already have their money and they are past the 21 days and to screw off. I will be damned if I or anyone in my family ever buys another Dell laptop, so you can kiss all the money 15+spend every year on your computers goodbye. We have been faithful customers since the company started and have never had a problem up until this point. It is sad that I trusted my laptop would be built the way it was supposed to be and when I found it wasn't Dell pretty much says our bad and gives me the middle finger. It wouldn't bother me so bad if Dell would agree to exchange my system for one with equal or better specs and the 4 DIMM slots but when I spoke with them just trying to figure out why I was lied to they told me there is no record of my call and to shove off. This is ridiculous, I just don't understand how they can get away with this.