Any Laptops That You Can Upgrade The GPU?

I'm interested in buying a high end laptop that will be used as a desktop replacement. Is there a laptop mfg or builder that has this feature? :hi2:

 

The high-end Alienware, Clevo, and MSI laptops have this; but future compatibility is not always guaranteed.

 

I'm in a chat with a Dell rep and it doesn't look possible for Alienware. I'll check the others, I may have to build a micro PC rig.

 

You can definitely change the GPU in the m17x and m18x, but not the m14x. You can also change the GPU in the Precision M6700 and M4700. The M4700 has a MXM type A connector though which severely limits your options. The GTX680m works in the M6700 by the way.

The other contenders (CLevo/MSI) have already been mentioned.

 

Thanks for the info guys !

Any suggestions for a gaming beast? :thumbsup:

 

a few Microstars, many of the Clevo/Sager 15" and 17" models. Alienwares including the M15x, M17x and the M18x. Portable workstations including the Dell m4700, m6700, Elitebook 8570W and 8770W as well as the Thinkpad W530. for current models that is all I can think of

 

the w530 gpu is soldered

 

How about this one? :hi2:

ASUS Republic of Gamers G75VW-AS71 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop $1,279.99

http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Game...Gaming/dp/B007MW73C2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Intel Core_i7_2.7_GHz Processor 2.3GHz
16 GB DIMM RAM
750GB 7200rpm Hard Drive
17.3-Inch Screen, Nvidia GTX 660M 2G GDDR5
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

 

nope AFIK no current asus has replaceable video cards, some of the older models could but it was a non standard propitiatory system.

thanks for the update, I guess lenovo decided to ditch upgades too. many of the older ones could

 

Even when Asus uses MXM GPUs, they always find a way to use a strange PCB design that makes upgrades not really possible or quite complicated. The G73 was a rare breed since you could upgrade the GPU with some modding, but the G74 and G75 are another story.

If you want a gaming beast, I would go MSI, Clevo or Alienware. If you have a lot of cash to spend and you want something that looks more professional and is made out of aluminium, you could get a Precision M6700 with the K5000m (slightly weaker than a 680m in gaming) or an Elitebook 8770w with the same GPU (I think HP whitelists their GPUs though so your upgrade paths with the 8770w will be rather limited).

 

Only W7xx series offered MXM. Old ASUS G series, before G74 were ASUS proprietary MXM.

Think of a laptop that has an upgradable graphics card as a side-benefit, you shouldn't just be out to find laptops with MXM cards.

 

In the end a high end Gamer that is GPU upgradeable will cost significantly more. Just the nature of the beasts. These systems too though usually offer better cooling and power distrobution ETC. Just to your reasearch as all systems seem to have their little quirks here and or there................

 

it uses a mxm slot, however the pcb is very different from standard.

Sincerely if you like upgrading your gpu, go for the m17x

when you see a m15x with a 7970m, its a whole another story, almost a 3 year notebook getting something right there in terms of gaming performance is quite a great thing, the m17x r2 can do that as well, even sli those cards

 

Yeah after checking out the Alienware/Sager/Clevo/MSI laptops i'm leaning on Alienware at the moment. I don't know if the M18x is too big but I think the 17x is the sweet spot for gaming.

It seems that XOTICPC has the best deals for Alienware laptops, although i'm keeping an eye out for an Alienware holiday deal.

 

Alienware or Clevo are the best way to go IMHO. Easy to work on and easy to upgrade. I'm partial to Clevo's over Alienware for a couple reasons: 1. Clevo's are more "business friendly" in their appearance and 2. They usually quite a bit cheaper than a similarly equipped Alienware.

Otherwise you can't go wrong with either. They both sport similar components and are good quality and offer top end components. MXM IIIb has been around for a little while, so who knows if this gets replaced with a revised MXM form factor with next gen GPU's or not.

 

Aren't macs the only ones that have GOOD video cards that are soldered on?

 

Nope
Sager np9130 for one of many examples.
Ge60 too I think

 

If you are buying Alienware, I recommend buying directly from Alienware. You get Dell's 21 day return policy, something you lose when you buy through a reseller. Not worth saving 3% and losing customer service.

 

the np9130 has a mxm slot, afterall the only difference between that and the np9150 is just a little bit of cosmetic change to the chassis.

and really depends on your definition of good

 

All be damned.

This is me but, if i was gonna spend that much money i'd tack on a 3 year warranty.

 

It has a MXM slot but I'm pretty sure it's still soldered on.

I know the reason to get a 9150 over 30 is that you cannot replace the gpu on the 9130.

 

what you just wrote doesnt make sense. no its not soldered, upgrading the gpu on this model entails getting a larger psu as well and sometimes a new heatsink assembly

 

Fair enough but on top of a 3% discount, I don't get charged tax. They also offer other services such as PC tuning and aftermarket cooling options. I do prefer dealing with Dell but the savings and options are worth the consideration.