ATI MOBILITY

If the word "mobility" is plastered right next to ATI's name, does that mean I can be take the graphics card out and replace it with a different graphics card?

On the same note, can I replace this card ---->"ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 4X AGP and 3D architecture with 64MB DDR (shared)" with something else? Perhaps a 128 or 256 MB?

 

No, you can only replace the card if the manufacturer supports it. For instance you can upgrade many of the Dell units, but not all machines work this way.

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That's shared graphics, which instantly tells you "no", you cannot upgrade.

I can't wait until Axiom and MXM become available, then I can start saying YES to this question.

* Inspiron 8600c * 1.8ghz Pentium M * 128 MB Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo * 2x512 MB DDR2700 SDRAM * 60GB 7200RPM HDD *

 

Im assuming if it says "shared graphics", the graphics card shares memory with the RAM.... If I am wrong please correct me. So, in order to "upgrade" the vid. card, (or make my game run faster), I must put more RAM inside right?

 

Drunk,

You're correct about "shared graphics" sharing system ram. But adding memory to your system may not upgrade your video memory. Most manufacturers limit the amount of video memory that is available (usually at 64MB), therefore adding more memory will give a slight performance increase, but maybe no increase in video memory unless your systems allows to go higher than 64MB.

Also, with shared video systems, it's not just because the video memory is shared, but it's also because CPU resources to handle some of the graphics as well, therefore further reducing the effectiveness of this type of system for gaming or anything graphics intensive.

If you want a system for gaming, it's best to get a notebook with "Dedicated Video Memory", therefore it has it's own video memory. The GPU's used in a system with dedicated video memory are usually also more powerful than the ones used in a shared video system, therefore it's better for gaming.

-Vb-

 

No, usually it means no. Unless you have a special notebook like Inspiron XPS or Alienware Area-51 that can allow this.

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the word "MOBILITY" just means it is the notebook version. Like how there is a desktop 9600, 9700,9800,x300,x600,and x800 (and 9200 and 9000), there are notebook versions of all of those, and those are called "MOBILITY" for that very reason (notebook version).