The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Gateway ML6230 GMA 950

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by michael_hoang91, Jul 16, 2008.

  1. michael_hoang91

    michael_hoang91 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi everyone! I recently bought a Gateway ML6230 laptop and I was wondering if I can even replace the graphic/video card that was already given to me by default. The graphic card is GMA 950 built on the motherboard itself. I do not know if it is possible to take out the graphic card and replace it with a different one. I experience lagging issues when I am playing one of my favorite games. The game requirements are:

    Pentium 4 - 2.4GHz+
    512 RAM
    GeForce FX 5600 or better

    My laptop specs are:

    http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/2007/Oasis/1014693R/1014693Rsp2.shtml

    I already upgraded my CPU RAM to 1.5 gig. I am using Celeron M and I am planning to replace it with some kind of Dual Processor. I am hoping this will somewhat diminish the lagginess during my gameplay. But what I really want to know is if the GMA 950 is replaceable? That is my big issue right now. I do not want to buy a new computer. I thought enhancing it with custom parts will be cheaper. I greatly appreciate anyone who responds to this thread. Thank you for reading this.


    -Michael
     
    michael_hoang91, Jul 16, 2008
    #1
  2. fabarati

    fabarati Frorum Obfuscator

    Reputations:
    1,904
    Messages:
    3,374
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Sorry, you can't replace it. Only way of getting more gaming performance is buying a new computer.
     
    fabarati, Jul 16, 2008
    #2
  3. The General

    The General Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    211
    Messages:
    477
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    No, as a rule you cannot upgrade most laptops beyond the maximum spec they were originally available and you can never upgrade an integrated graphics card. Buying a new laptop is your best option for better gaming performance.
     
    The General, Jul 16, 2008
    #3
  4. michael_hoang91

    michael_hoang91 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Well, in that case what if I upgrade the processor? Will it make any difference in gameplay?
     
    michael_hoang91, Jul 16, 2008
    #4
  5. Harper2.0

    Harper2.0 Back from the dead?

    Reputations:
    2,078
    Messages:
    3,108
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Games are limited by the graphics processor, so an upgrade for your processor will not really help. Think of it this way: you can have a really strong processor, but all it does is send instruction to the GPU. If your GPU is weak in the first place, getting an even faster processor will not help
     
    Harper2.0, Jul 16, 2008
    #5
  6. chesieofdarock

    chesieofdarock Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    314
    Messages:
    1,156
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    you will not be able to upgrade to a dual core processor either because your computer has a different type of cpu socket.
     
    chesieofdarock, Jul 16, 2008
    #6
  7. michael_hoang91

    michael_hoang91 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    michael_hoang91, Jul 16, 2008
    #7
  8. chesieofdarock

    chesieofdarock Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    314
    Messages:
    1,156
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    chesieofdarock, Jul 16, 2008
    #8
  9. KGann

    KGann NBR Themesong Writer

    Reputations:
    317
    Messages:
    2,742
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    You're going to spend quite a bit of money and see little to no improvement. Celeron chips are built better than they used to be, so even in day to day tasks, unless you are running 10+ programs at a time, RAM makes a bigger difference than CPU.
     
    KGann, Jul 16, 2008
    #9
  10. The General

    The General Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    211
    Messages:
    477
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You may or may not be able to upgrade the cpu but it will not help if a game is gpu limited (Which it almost certainly will be).
     
    The General, Jul 16, 2008
    #10
  11. michael_hoang91

    michael_hoang91 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    oh, so the processor applies to how many programs it can handle at once and not the condition of a single game play?
     
    michael_hoang91, Jul 16, 2008
    #11
  12. Satyrion

    Satyrion Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    123
    Messages:
    1,404
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    The Graphic Card is most used for games, with a card like that u wont get very far. The CPU does not have much to say especially with such a low end card like u got there.
     
    Satyrion, Jul 16, 2008
    #12
  13. KGann

    KGann NBR Themesong Writer

    Reputations:
    317
    Messages:
    2,742
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I guess in simple terms, yes.

    The only real games that require a good CPU, as well as a good GPU, are RTS games, and some of the new titles that are using Real-Time Physics.
     
    KGann, Jul 16, 2008
    #13