The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    W3J - swapping ATI for NVIDIA; possible?

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by P A U L, Nov 30, 2007.

  1. P A U L

    P A U L Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    123
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    i guess title says it all...

    would i be able to take out the ATI card in my laptop and replace it with a NVIDIA??
     
    P A U L, Nov 30, 2007
    #1
  2. stamar

    stamar Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    454
    Messages:
    6,802
    Likes Received:
    102
    Trophy Points:
    231
    no but in theory its possible to put the x1700 that was in the w2j in it because its the same form factor.

    there never was an nvidia card made for the asus machines that used this particular gpu form factor.
     
    stamar, Nov 30, 2007
    #2
  3. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

    Reputations:
    1,572
    Messages:
    8,632
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Even if the form factor is the same the TDP (generated heat) usually is not, and the cooling system on the laptop might not handle it. So I suggest you don't try it.

    Laptop GPUs are not upgradeable, in general.
     
    E.B.E., Dec 1, 2007
    #3
  4. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,126
    Messages:
    2,395
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Not to mention that you would have to have a compatible BIOS, correct? Which, you won't.
     
    CalebSchmerge, Dec 1, 2007
    #4
  5. stamar

    stamar Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    454
    Messages:
    6,802
    Likes Received:
    102
    Trophy Points:
    231
    sometimes you do sometimes you dont.

    There are two main technologies for upgradeable gpus. One is mxm which was made by nvidia. SOMETIMES this one has vbios on the module.

    The other is a series of them that were designed by ati. Like is in dell inspirons. And the w3j. All of these that I know of have the video bios in the laptop. So if the machine didnt come out with the gpu for sale in it somewhere it wouldnt post.
    So since no one tried it I couldnt be certain but you are almost certainly right.
     
    stamar, Dec 1, 2007
    #5
  6. Redline

    Redline Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,213
    Messages:
    4,482
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Wait, what was the FF on the W3J GPU? I know that the F8S, A8J, G1p/S, and V1J/S all used the reverse MXM form factor, but I have never seen the W3J GPU....

    If its the same, you might actually have a shot at replacing the X1600 with a Go7600 or Go7700 from the A8Jm/s. If it isn't, as stamar said, you don't have many options. The X1700 probably isn't worth the upgrade from an X1600, since performance didn't increase by more than 10% at absolute best. You could easily outdo that just by overclocking, which is nearly free and doesn't void your warranty.
     
    Redline, Dec 1, 2007
    #6
  7. AlexF

    AlexF Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    142
    Messages:
    795
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It's a really bad idea since there are so many seemingly-minor but very significant things that can trip you up, plain and simple.

    It would involve:
    - finding a similar form-factored card that does not physically interfere with anything (ie: right height for the existing heatsink, doesn't get blocked by any other components),
    - hoping the pinouts (EVEN if it is their reverse MXM) are the same and that they didn't take any shortcuts that are specific to that model GPU,
    - getting the BIOS for the laptop model you got this GPU from,
    - ripping the VBIOS out of the other laptop BIOS,
    - splicing it into your own system's BIOS, and
    - trying to get it to POST.

    You would also need a means of flashing it back blind if it botched up.

    If even ONE of those steps doesn't go through, you might find yourself looking for a completely new laptop in the worst case... (ie: better off giving/selling this laptop and getting a new one)
     
    AlexF, Dec 2, 2007
    #7