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    External PCI Express, is it all BS?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by T0b3rm0r3y, May 22, 2006.

  1. T0b3rm0r3y

    T0b3rm0r3y Newbie

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    I have a HP Pavillion ZD8000 which is not too bad for games & can manage photoshop etc well enough. It can't manage far cry, HDR in HL2 or POP 3/warrior within without cronic lag. It comes with a PCI Express slot that is supposed to be for a slot in graphics card, however I can't seem to find any information on whether they even exist yet & the info I have found suggests they won't work anyway? Can someone please give me a better idea on whether I can buy one & if it would be worth while?
     
    T0b3rm0r3y, May 22, 2006
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  2. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    There is no such thing as an external graphics card.

    What are the specs of your system? It should be able to handle Far Cry fine.

    Chaz
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, May 22, 2006
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  3. Elderlycrawfish

    Elderlycrawfish Notebook Consultant

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    You might be confusing it with an Express Card slot?

    Regardless, like Chazman says, there's no external graphics solution. Might explain the difficulty in finding stuff about it. :eek:
     
    Elderlycrawfish, May 22, 2006
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  4. T0b3rm0r3y

    T0b3rm0r3y Newbie

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    Hmm I was told by the retailer that it was a card slot for external graphics card :mad: ... System is 3.2Ghz P4, 1Gb Ram, raedon x600, 17" wide. It can play far cry but the lag pisses me off, same for POP3...

    So if it's an express slot what usefull things can I use it for?... (Yes I am new to laptops)
     
    T0b3rm0r3y, May 22, 2006
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  5. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    You can use it for expansion cards - wireless if you don't have it, some cards have extra ports or media readers, TV tuners, etc. There's not nearly as much of a need for external expansion cards now as there was years ago when laptops did not have all the ports, such as Ethernet, integrated.

    The X600 is not the fastest card but it shouldn't have that much trouble playing Far Cry on balanced settings. Turn some stuff down, especially the resolution. Try 1024x768, no AA/AF, medium settings. Also, updating your drivers would help. www.omegadrivers.net has great ATI drivers.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, May 22, 2006
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  6. Vcdechagn

    Vcdechagn Notebook Geek

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    www.expresscard.org for more info about it. Not much to use it for right now.

    I have one in my SZ (which is filled with an SD/MMC/XD adapter) and it works ok. Might come in handy if you need external SATA or the like, I suppose.
     
    Vcdechagn, May 22, 2006
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  7. Elderlycrawfish

    Elderlycrawfish Notebook Consultant

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    Elderlycrawfish, May 22, 2006
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  8. MYK

    MYK Newbie NBR Reviewer

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    Guys I know this sounds dumb, but I've actually heard that ATI has an upcoming card that has not been announced yet. It actually fits on the express card slot.
     
    MYK, May 23, 2006
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  9. Ice-Tea

    Ice-Tea MXM Guru NBR Reviewer

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    Ice-Tea, May 23, 2006
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  10. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    Where did you hear that? Even if it is true, the card is going to be useless from a 3D performance standpoint; the performance just won't be there. I think it may be an adapter for an external monitor like Village Tronic's VTBook PCMCIA card.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, May 23, 2006
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  11. prasys

    prasys Notebook Geek

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    Yes , ExpressCard slot is aint that fast. It would be only great for dual monitor link or its an adapter for external monitor....
     
    prasys, May 23, 2006
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  12. T0b3rm0r3y

    T0b3rm0r3y Newbie

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    Cheers for the info, I have the new drivers & will test it all out tonight... Is it easy enough to put a better card in here & if so what is a good card to suit?
     
    T0b3rm0r3y, May 24, 2006
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