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    Can I use my ExpressCard sklot to upgrade my laptop's graphics?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by Ice-Tea, Mar 24, 2006.

  1. Ice-Tea

    Ice-Tea MXM Guru NBR Reviewer

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    Simply? No.

    Even though there are some reports from sales people that try to sell their hardware with this argument, you can't. Here's why...

    1) The ExpressCard is real small. Too small.
    2) The x1 PCI Express lane provides not nearly enough bandwidth for any of the last 2 generations GPU's. Even though it provides roughly twice the BW as the legacy PCI slots.
    3) The power budget of ExpressCard slots is 2.1W. That's not even enough to run the RAM.
    4) Even if all the above wouldn't stop some renegade taiwanese third tier supplier to make a graphics card for the slot, where would the video go? A normal GPU goes either directly to the LCD or passes a converter chip on the MoBo. The ExpressCard is in no way connected to the video path of the notebook.

    Question: But they could make a 2.1W, low end card with only an external VGA port, right?

    *sigh*

    Yes, I suppose they could.

    Just thought I'd share. Sticky this if you want ;)
     
    Ice-Tea, Mar 24, 2006
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  2. Jimbobbeers

    Jimbobbeers Notebook Geek

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    I'm sure that will answer quite a few people.
    I asked this not so long ago so i know :eek:

    Useful info Mate :D
     
    Jimbobbeers, Mar 24, 2006
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  3. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    I would sticky this, but we do have a bit too many stickies right now. I'm going to combine both of the ones I made, and then we'll see if we can come up with an FAQ we can sticky for questions like these. Ice-Tea, thanks for your great contributions to NBR, they're really appreciated. :)

    Chaz
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Mar 24, 2006
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  4. Ice-Tea

    Ice-Tea MXM Guru NBR Reviewer

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    That's ok, I bookmarked this so I'll just link if the question pops up ;)

    Glad to be of help.
     
    Ice-Tea, Mar 25, 2006
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  5. tullnd

    tullnd Notebook Evangelist

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    Just to clarify...I expect there will be some sort of video output on the port eventually. They make them for USB right now, as desktop display extenders. Basically, adding a second monitor. Not for gaming or any such things obviously, and the USB ones are a bit laggy in some instances, but they offer the ability to easily add a second monitor to a system on a budget price, without opening up your computer. I bet at some point, someone will create an express card video output. It just won't be an upgrade in any way shape or form over the included video solution.

    The Tritton See2 is an example.
     
    tullnd, Mar 25, 2006
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