Asus X51r upgrades

cheers everybody!

i bought my first laptop this winter, and this summer i'd like to spend some money in upgrading it. point is it is not at all a bad notebook (so i've been told, and from my limited knowledge in computer fields i can tell that also).

anyhow, here is the system info:

Model: Asus X51r (came with free os, and i installed xp sp2)
CPU Speed: 2.00 GHz Performance Rated at 3.74 GHz (whatever that means )
Processors: Intel Core Duo, 2 procs running, 2gh each
RAM: 1024 (768 -> see below)
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon Xpress 1100, shared memory. Right now i set it to share 256 megs of RAM, so currently it has 512 megs, Pixel Shader 2.0, Vertex Shader 2.0, Video Card 3D Acceleration and Video HW Transform & Lighting.
HDD: 120 gig.

Point is that for my job, this is perfect. I'm a book editor, and for using Microsoft Word, Adobe and the likes, this computer should last me a lifetme. However, considering the fact that i do have free time, i'd pretty much like to play some games. And basically that requires adding some more rams and upgrading (if possible) the videocard, right?

From what i have heard, it is possible to replace the videocard, just that i have to replace it with one that fits in perfectly, and obviously is the same brand, prolly a newer model.

So here are my questions: How can i tell how many gigs of RAM can i add? and can i really replace the videocard? And if so, what model would you guys suggest? I believe that something with Pixel Shader 3.0 or 4.0 would be required. Am i right here?

Anyhow, i think that basically covers it. I'd appreciate if you could help me out on this one, and feel free to add some more stuff concering any upgrade avaliable. I won't mind

cheers again, and thanx in advance.

 

One CAN'T replace the gpu, at least not easily or even practically, in the vast majority of notebooks and what you're using it for doesn't need anything more that IGP. I wish people would stop perpetuating that myth. On top of that, what you have in there right now is Integrated, not discrete, so in your case any video upgrade is *impossible* because the chip is soldered onto the motherboard.

RAM is 3GB (4GB is wasted money), pick a major manufacturer and you'll be fine.

 

i see. so basically if i want a new graphics card, i gotta get a new laptop.
and the only thing i can do, is add more RAM, right?

 

Besides the RAM, a new HDD in a year or two (to take advantage of speed improvements and cheaper storage) would be about the only other thing, yes. Or you can put it in now if you need the space or have the money, the new WD 250GB 5400rpm drives are quick.

 

you're talking about an external HDD, right?
and one more thing .... is there any chance for the video card to run better with Windows Vista rather than XP?

 

1. No, internal HDD. You'd have to get an external USB enclosure to do the clone, and then swap the drives.

2. Probably not. Vista tends to chew up IGP chipsets pretty bad when you have all the Aero and eye candy turned on, and for gaming XP is still somewhat better than Vista (although the latter is catching up).

 

cool, thanx!
can you give me some more details about switching hard drives?

 

hello everybody

i have the same laptop and i am wanting to upgrade my internal HDD from a SATA 120gb 5400 rpm to either a 320gb 7200rpm or a 500gb 5400rpm. Now my question is: is this possible and which would be the better choice speed or space

thanks

 

here if you follow this link it shows you a good video tutorial on how to switch the HDD

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11379_7-6445033-1.html

 

welcome to the forum!

Answer is yes and yes, to both configs. As to which, depends on your space needs as the lower density 7200 drives are nearly matched (not quite, but close) in performance by the higher density 5400s due to more compact data placement. Mostly the performance of the 7200s is not something that will be obvious to the majority of users, although for game level loading and such HDD intense operations you might be able to tell the difference. Personally, I'd go for space (since the two types of drives you mention are similar cost) but that's just me since a few seconds isn't a tradeoff I'd be willing to make if I had that much data to store.

 

awesome, Thanks!

 

I also want to upgrade my CPU from Duo T2130 with a processing speed of 1.86GHZ is it possible? what type of upgrades would i want to choose?

thanks