Need a hand upgrading

Okay. I just got a new HP laptop (for free) and I'm trying to figure out what parts need upgrading/replacement.

First off is the video card. This thing came with and integrated Intel chipset series 4. I'm aware that these can't be removed and in order to replace them you have to replace the entire motherboard. Something I'm willing to do. The problem is I can't seem to tell if there's a difference between laptop and desktop motherboards when viewing them on sites such as newegg.com.

The other problem is that the processor seems slow...but it may just be being slowed by other parts. This is exactly what I have if anyone can help or give advice on upgrades or what exactly my problems seem to be. Thanks!

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2345516,00.asp

 

You just answered your own question, my friend. Even if you were to attempt it, the cost of a new motherboard with a decent GPU will cost you a pretty penny, which you can use to buy a complete laptop with a dedicated GPU.

If you can't tell the difference, then it would be best not to attempt to upgrade the laptop.

The T6400 is plenty of power for light work. What do you plan to use your laptop for?

 

Here are the steps to upgrade.

1. Sell your laptop
2. Buy a new laptop

 

neilnat speaks the truth.

Actually that is not a bad laptop, T6400 Core 2 Duo (2.0GHz), 4GB RAM, 4500MHD GPU, 320GB Hard Drive. The GPU won't play Crysis, but it will play most other stuff with settings reduced.

Bottom line is 99% of notebooks aren't easily, if at all, upgradeable besides hard drive and RAM (well wi-fi and bluetooth usually too, but those rarely need and "upgrade"). Just for the record desktop and notebook motherboards are two different birds completely. I'd say they're a bird and and an octopus. Notebook motherboards carry most everything integrated on the motherboard (soldered), the GPU and even CPU frequently is soldered.

Considering you got the laptop for free, either be happy with it or do as neilnat suggests: Sell it, put the cash towards a different laptop that will do what you want it to.

 

motherboards are specially designed for their make/model .. its extremely unlikely there is even a different motherboard you could buy to upgrade at all... 99.99% of the time, laptop motherboards are non-upgradable.

 

The additional problem for the notebooks is that if their mobo's WERE completely modular like the ones in desktops ... the notebook sells would likely drop as people could simply upgrade their systems until they reach their limit and THEN replace the notebook in question.

A degree of modularity is always possible actually if you have skills with soldering and all ... but then again, you have to be willing to take chances and risk bricking a functioning laptop.

 

Thanks for the tips...two more questions though. 1. Anyone know of a solid and trustworthy website to make a custom laptop that wont break the bank? and 2. Any place other than craigslist and ebay to sell laptops?

 

Erm...Dell? You get into the Inspiron or XPS line and you can customize some pretty decent options.

Perhaps here @ NBR or maybe thru your local paper like a Bargain Finder (what we call our local Buy & Sell paper) or something?