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    Qs. about separately buying Graphics card for laptop

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by UserTech, Jul 26, 2009.

  1. UserTech

    UserTech Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi I want to buy a laptop and it appears to be a good deal and gives me all the features I want, except that there is no graphics card in it such as the ones offered by ATI etc. other than the basic Intel graphics card present on all machines.

    So can I separately purchase the graphics card and install it in my laptop?

    My concerns are that

    1) It might void the warranty

    2) How do I find out whether my laptop is capable of holding an additional graphics card than the one already present (by Intel) and how do I know which one I should buy for my laptop?

    3) How much will it cost to separately buy and install? Which are some popular websites? And how much will it cost to call a technician and open my laptop to install a graphics card?

    I am based in the US. Thank you.
     
    UserTech, Jul 26, 2009
    #1
  2. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You cannot install a graphics card into a notebook with integrated graphics. Please read the sticky.
     
    sgogeta4, Jul 26, 2009
    #2
  3. zillal

    zillal Notebook Consultant

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    The advanced docking station for my Thinkpad T500 can use a separate graphics card.
     
    zillal, Jul 26, 2009
    #3
  4. TehSuigi

    TehSuigi Notebook Virtuoso

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    But that's a docking station, not within the actual laptop.
    No notebooks that start with Intel integrated graphics can get an upgrade to something better.
     
    TehSuigi, Jul 26, 2009
    #4
  5. LaptopNut

    LaptopNut Notebook Virtuoso

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    Read up on the Vidock 2.
     
    LaptopNut, Jul 26, 2009
    #5
  6. KingRaptor

    KingRaptor Notebook Evangelist

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    You're looking at replacing the motherboard if you want a dedicated GPU. In other words, it isn't worth it.
     
    KingRaptor, Jul 26, 2009
    #6
  7. TevashSzat

    TevashSzat Notebook Deity

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    Odds are that you can't even replace the motherboard because most laptops have custom designed chasis that most likely is only compatible with the motherboard used for this model.
     
    TevashSzat, Jul 26, 2009
    #7
  8. TehSuigi

    TehSuigi Notebook Virtuoso

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    Don't forget the cooling system - you'd need to replace and accomodate that too.
    Put simply, too much hassle. Just sell the notebook for one with a dedicated card.
     
    TehSuigi, Jul 26, 2009
    #8
  9. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You're an Acer moderator now, TehSuigi!? :O
     
    sgogeta4, Jul 26, 2009
    #9
  10. TehSuigi

    TehSuigi Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yes indeed - got promoted yesterday.
     
    TehSuigi, Jul 27, 2009
    #10
  11. classic77

    classic77 Notebook Evangelist

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    Grats! Hey, where in the good old CA do you live?
     
    classic77, Jul 27, 2009
    #11