Are there graphics cards for notebooks that aren't integrated?

I'm not sure if there are graphics cards for notebooks that aren't integrated. I contacted hp and said that there weren't any notebooks that don't have integrated graphics cards. Please respond- I'm a little confused.

 

Yes there exists discrete graphics cards, I own one.

Look up MXM.

 

When you mean integrated, you mean those which are integrated/soldered onto the motherboard and therefore cannot be upgraded?

If so, yes there are a breed of GPUs which can be swapped and upgraded, notably the MXM type GPUs. There are however different standards of MXM(MXMI, MXMII, MXMIII...) so you have to check the format before swapping GPUs.

Also note that there is the issue of heatsinks when changing GPUs. Unlike desktop graphics cards, the GPU and heatsink are not both a single entity which is part of the card, you have to have the right sized heatsink for a more powerful GPU to make the whole laptop cope with heat.

 

Yes, there are discrete graphic cards for notebooks and they are much much better than integrated ones.

 

However, if you buy a laptop (or your current one) that already has an integrated card it's impossible to upgrade to a non-integrated card.

 

fill out the FAQ and I will give you a list of notebooks that fits your budget and needs.

meh... here is a list of notebooks that do have interchangeable videocards (except a few like the Gateway)

here are my current "bang for the buck" high-end gaming notebook picks....
(with 256-bit memory interface videocards)

For 17"+
*(sub-$1500 budget)*
- Sager NP5793 (Clevo M570RU) .... its hot right now since Sager is making it fully loaded with 9800M GTS and even Blu-Ray drive to liquidate its stock so that they can focus on the new (but slightly more expensive) NP5797.... Clevo M570TU/ETU.
- Gateway P FX with 9800M GTS is another good choice but does not have better build quality and cooling than the Clevo M570RU.
- MSI GT725 .... fully loaded 17" with ATI HD 4850
*($1600 to $2000)*
- Clevo M570ETU (aka. Sager NP5797) .... new model with Montevina, quad-core and choice of GTX 280M or 9800M GTS/GT/GTX or Quadro 2700M
- ASUS G71G-Q2 .... the Q2 makes the list since its fully loaded with Nvidia 9800M, Q9000 quad-core CPU, and Blu-ray drive
- Arima W840 DI (aka. OCZ Whitebook, Alîenware m17, etc...) .... new 17" dual ATI 3870, quad-core and dual HDD
*($2000+ budget)*
- ASUS W90Vp .... 18.4" fully loaded with ATI HD 4870 X2 .... processor could be better (like a quad-core)
- Clevo D901C (aka. Sager NP9262) .... 17" with single/dual 9800M GTS/GT/GTX or Quadro 2700M/3700M, uses desktop quad-core CPUs, three internal HDDs, and the best notebook cooling design to date.


For 15"
*(sub-$1400 budget)*
- ASUS G50VT .... 15.6" with 9800M GS (budget high-end card)
- MSI GT627 .... 15.4" with 9800M GS (budget high-end card)
..... and the rest of the mid-range notebooks with Nvidia 9600M/9650M, ATI 3600/3650, etc..
*($1400+ budget)*
- Clevo M860ETU (aka. Sager NP8662) .... fastest 15.4" gaming notebook with Centrino 2 quad-core CPU support... and Nvidia 9800M GTS / GTX 260M / Quadro 2700M

Alîenware (except for M17 which is re-branded Arima W840) and .Dell does not make the list (mainly for the high-end systems), they are quite outdated and configuration upgrades are usually overpriced.

This is a bang for the buck list... if you want to pay for aesthetics and lights, then look elsewhere.

* please read the Clevo Guide for further information about Clevo and their international vendors.

 

Gophn, Newegg has a W90 model for $2250 with a Q9000 2.0ghz Quad-Core processor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220527

 

it supports quad-cores. does NOT support extreme edition cpu's like the QX9300

HP itself doesn't even make notebooks. it's not a manufacturer it's a vendor (with some exclusive models). HP just want to sell you their notebooks of course they would answer you something like that. They were one of the vendors who sold notebooks with soldered MXM graphic cards so they couldn't be upgraded shortly after the release of MXM. they are a bunch of liars... they even sold laptops which the graphic card could be upgraded like the 8710 or the 8510. Of course they don't want you to upgrade, they want to sell you more notebooks they will make much more profit.

 

Careful there - you're getting standards and form factors confused.
MXM-I, -II, -III, -IV, and -HE are all increasing sizes of cards and slots under the MXM 2.1 standard. The slots can accept smaller cards (an MXM-II slot can take an MXM-I card, etc.), but compatibility is dependent on quite a few factors.

MXM-A and MXM-B are the two sizes of cards and slots under the newer MXM 3.0 standard. These should be rolling out shortly, and are completely incompatible with the previous cards and slots.

 

yeah well I basically wanted to point out that there are different breeds of it. I'm really don't have in depth knowledge of MXM form factors >.<

 

Thank you all. That really helped me!

 

Just for clarification, not all discrete cards are MXM compatible.

 

Most aren't; they're soldered onto the motherboard similar to integrated graphics hipsets.

 

Basically it comes down to this: upgrading discrete graphics in some cases is impossible in laptops. When it is possible, it's usually almost next to impossible to do it due to compatibilities in the following areas: MXM type, laptop size and the size allowed for a particular graphics system, cooling system constraints, etc. And the cost can be astronomical as far as getting your hands on a proper compatible MXM card.

 

Yes,its very expensive to upgrade a graphics card. may be like $700-$800 for aa ge force 8800m gtx

 

down to $400-500 now for the new Nvidia GTX 260M and 280M cards.

Clevo notebook owners are buying them separately to upgrade.

the prices have gotten better.

If you were wondering, they are MXM-III (2.x) and IV (2.x).