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    Are the GPUs in Gateway laptops upgradeable?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by lostboykev, Apr 17, 2009.

  1. lostboykev

    lostboykev Notebook Consultant

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    I'm getting a Gateway P-6860 in a couple of days. And was wondering, for future reference, if you can upgrade the graphic cards in gateway laptops? Do they use MXM cards? Or are they specifically made for Gateways?
     
    lostboykev, Apr 17, 2009
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  2. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    nope sorry.
     
    Gophn, Apr 17, 2009
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  3. emike09

    emike09 Overclocking Champion

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    Since they are MXM, they might be. Doubt its covered in the warranty. However, I once owned a high end gateway, and was told by a Gateway representative I can upgrade the CPU on my own without voiding the system warranty. So who knows.
     
    emike09, Apr 17, 2009
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  4. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    I do not think Gateway gaming notebooks are using MXM... especially that older model with the 8800M GTS.
     
    Gophn, Apr 17, 2009
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  5. narsnail

    narsnail Notebook Prophet

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    they are not MXM
     
    narsnail, Apr 17, 2009
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  6. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    as you can see here, the videocard is intergrated onto the motherboard... not even a removable module:
    [​IMG]
     
    Gophn, Apr 17, 2009
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  7. Micaiah

    Micaiah Notebook Deity

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    The only Gateway laptops with MXM cards on the market right now is the MC7803u and the MD7826u.
     
    Micaiah, Apr 17, 2009
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  8. Cheeseman

    Cheeseman Eats alot of Cheese

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    I don't see why you'd want to anyhow. First of all a newer high-end GPU would cost nearly as much as your laptop if not more. Second, the Geforce 8800M GTS is basically equal to the 9700M GTS and it's still pretty darn good. Plus a more powerful GPU would have its bottleneck with your CPU.
     
    Cheeseman, Apr 17, 2009
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  9. xxERIKxx

    xxERIKxx Notebook Deity

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    thats crazy i just had my mobo repaced so my gpu is new also, i didnt know that.
     
    xxERIKxx, Apr 17, 2009
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  10. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    thats why you have to pay a slight premium for other high-end notebooks that have videocard modules (MXM)
     
    Gophn, Apr 17, 2009
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  11. narsnail

    narsnail Notebook Prophet

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    8800m GTS is better, trust me.

    I have an Toshiba X305 while my 6860FX is being fixed, and ive had to tune down just a few settings, not much, but the difference is noticeable.

    it has16 more shader units so those do make a small difference.
     
    narsnail, Apr 17, 2009
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  12. KernalPanic

    KernalPanic White Knight

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    Gonna say, I think the 8800GTS is pretty much on par with the 9800m GS at stock clocks.

    Given what this GPU does, I cannot really see a reason to even worry about upgrading that gateway for awhile.

    Yeah, there is better out there, but you are gonna pay more for it too.
     
    KernalPanic, Apr 17, 2009
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  13. Beatsiz

    Beatsiz Life Enthusiast

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    P-6831FX: The first best Price/Performance laptop <$2000 that could play Crysis reasonably...

    All I can say is that it seems like 8800m GTS 9800m GTS or whatever doesnt seem powerful, but in all honesty... you dont HAVE TO be able to play at the most extreme resolution and settings... if you do, you honestly have to be paying for an expensive laptop... I hate people who say gaming laptops suck, are expensive etc... Its just how it works


    But anyways... you will be set for 2-3 years minimum
     
    Beatsiz, Apr 17, 2009
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  14. LongLiveLife

    LongLiveLife Notebook Consultant

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    Ha, I just bought my 6860fx off of ebay for $660, how much are you getting yours for?

    On topic, I'm sure if you really wanted to you could buy the mobo from a 7811fx and replace it, of course you would break it.
     
    LongLiveLife, Apr 18, 2009
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  15. motherpuncher22

    motherpuncher22 Notebook Consultant

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    Well..... no
     
    motherpuncher22, Apr 18, 2009
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  16. xxERIKxx

    xxERIKxx Notebook Deity

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    haha would be a crazy upgrade.
     
    xxERIKxx, Apr 18, 2009
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  17. narsnail

    narsnail Notebook Prophet

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    it would be a pointless upgrade as they are the same card, the clocks are just raised.

    the only thing being gained out of a MB upgrade would be the newer socket.
     
    narsnail, Apr 18, 2009
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  18. Cheeseman

    Cheeseman Eats alot of Cheese

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    The 9800M GS still has higher clocks than the 8800M GTS so there will be a slight difference, but nothing an overclock can't bring in pair.
     
    Cheeseman, Apr 18, 2009
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  19. lostboykev

    lostboykev Notebook Consultant

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    Wow, Thanks guys for responding!

    I just got it today. Removed Vista already and installed XP. Installing drivers is a pain with this laptop.

    Now all I have to do is upgrade the CPU to something a little less pathetic and I'm good to go.
     
    lostboykev, Apr 18, 2009
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  20. LongLiveLife

    LongLiveLife Notebook Consultant

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    I'd go for the x7800, but I'm upgrading mine yet again to a t9300 from a friend who rips apart broken laptops and sells the goodies. only $200!

    BTW, I'd go for a new keyboard and mouse it you don't have one. Like most gaming laptops, this thing overheats a lot, and if you prop it up your wrists go into the edges and it gets annoying after awhile. I'm getting a sidewinder and a lycosa to compliment mine :cool:
     
    LongLiveLife, Apr 18, 2009
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