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    Changing Graphics Card - NVIDIA

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by danboss69, Dec 2, 2009.

  1. danboss69

    danboss69 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello folks, I'd like to purchase this laptop:

    Code: 
    Full specification
	
Operating system 	Genuine Windows (R) 7 Home Premium 	
Processor Type 	Intel Core 2 Duo processor T6600 	
Processor speed 	(2.2Ghz, 800Mhz, 2MB Cache) 	
Memory Size 	4GB MB 	
Memory Type 	DDR2 	
Hard Drive Capacity 	500 GB 	
Optical Drives 	DVD RW 	
Floppy Disk Drive 	NO 	
Screen Size/Type 	17.3" 	
Graphics Card Type 	NVIDIA GeForce G210M 	
Graphics Memory 	512MB dedicated MB 	
TV-out 	YES 	
Sound Type 	DOLBY HOME THEATRE 	
Modem Type 	10/100/100 gigabit Ethernet 	faxing
Wireless Enabled 	YES 	
No. of USB Connections 	4 	
No. of Firewire Connections 	0 	
Infrared Port Included 	NO 	
Other Interfaces 	Card Reader, HDMI,VGA 	
Battery Type 	Lithium-ion 	
Battery life (up to) 	3.5 hours 	
Software Titles Included 	Works, Office H&S Trial 	
Colour 	Blue
    ... and then change the graphics card to an NVIDIA GeForce GT240M. Would this be possible? Would it simply be a case of removing the G210M, installing the GT240M and finding the correct drivers for the new card? This would save me about £50 ($83).

    Thanks for your time and help!
     
    danboss69, Dec 2, 2009
    #1
  2. KimoT

    KimoT Are we not men?

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    Probably not, but need to know the exact model to be certain. Most laptops require changing the entire motherboard to change the GPU. The few that are able to change the GPU using MXM or a proprietary connector have very limited options, and you have to get the right combination of GPU and connector, as well as possibly a new cooling system. And laptop video cards are far more expensive than desktop models, even if there is an upgrade that works. Far more than the $83 that you would save on the laptop.
     
    KimoT, Dec 2, 2009
    #2
  3. Melody

    Melody How's It Made Addict

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    What laptop is it specifically? Only 1% of laptops can have their GPUs upgraded and it needs to be of a specific format.

    Short Answer: most likely you can't.

    Even if you could...buying a separate GPU is expensive(over 200$US) and the money you'd save on the upgrade wouldn't be worth the cost.
     
    Melody, Dec 2, 2009
    #3
  4. hustheman

    hustheman Notebook Evangelist

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    most likely no, depending on your brand, and even if you could would most likely be spending more money when you buy the 240m
     
    hustheman, Dec 2, 2009
    #4
  5. danboss69

    danboss69 Notebook Enthusiast

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    danboss69, Dec 2, 2009
    #5
  6. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    That's likely to have an MXM II slot, which would mean the 240m would be out, the best you could get is 9600m GT or 4650...
     
    Meaker@Sager, Dec 2, 2009
    #6
  7. danboss69

    danboss69 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ah... Amazon are selling the exact same model but with the GT240M so I assumed that I could make the conversion myself. Off to search for another model I guess! :mad:
     
    danboss69, Dec 2, 2009
    #7
  8. tianxia

    tianxia kitty!!!

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    for this laptop, you probably could. but the graphics card itself would be very expensive and difficult to get your hands on. chances are it would be selling on ebay for over 150 pounds. you're better off buying it from amazon.
     
    tianxia, Dec 2, 2009
    #8
  9. neilnat

    neilnat Notebook Evangelist

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    Absolutely never, ever buy a laptop planning to upgrade the video card within the next one-two years. It is always cheaper to just buy a better laptop.
     
    neilnat, Dec 2, 2009
    #9