Asus GPU upgrade

The GPU of my Asus model G50VT-EX115C has recently stopped working. When I went to the local computer shop for repair options, I was informed that it was possible to simply remove the GPU and replace it with another one because it was an "inverted MXM model" or something like that. He said that most likely any of the current ASUS GeForce GPUs would work, but I wanted a second opinion.

I've looked around several forums and it indeed seems true that a complete amateur can switch an MXM GPU. My question now, though, is whether I would be losing out on performance if I were to buy a really high-end graphics card since the CPU is only a duo T9400.

I wouldn't want to spend much over €150 in the first place, as long as it can play most of the current games (not necessarily with maxed-out settings).
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

Then you're going to be pretty much out of luck. Standalone notebook GPUs are really expensive. Prices generally start at about €200, and that's for a really old (think Radeon 4xxx series) card.

You'd be better off parting out the good stuff in your system and putting that money toward a new notebook. Even a budget €500 system will likely offer similar or better performance that what you have now.

 

You can upgrade to a gtx 260M pulled from asus g51, a slight upgrade from the default 9800M gs in g50vt, but according to many g50vt owner who did the upgrade, the 260Ms run constantly above 95 C or 100 C+ in their G50VT during gaming.

I did a quick search on ebay, there are some gtx 260M from asus, but they are pretty expensive and many of the seller don't ship internationally.

I agree with saturnotaku, you might want to consider keeping some useful parts in your asus like HDD and buying a new laptop, any laptop with a dual core sandy bridge and HD 6770M or better will beat the g50vt in terms of almost everything.

 

I believe your laptop originally came with either an Nvidia 9700m or 9800m. Another option is the Nvidia GTX 260M

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M - Notebookcheck.net Tech

NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GTS - Notebookcheck.net Tech

NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GS - Notebookcheck.net Tech

You can find these cards on eBay for under $200 or around €150. When you search for these cards, make sure you add "Asus" to the search. That'll make sure you get results for the special Asus MXM cards.

 

Thanks for the quick replies, but once again a newbie question:
are the NVIDIA GTX550 or 560 not suitible replacenents? These are much easier to come by and can be found under €150.

 

Where are you finding an Asus 550M or 560M? I can't find any.

 

Wait, are you saying that the "M" following the digits represents "MXM"?

 

M = mobile .

 

Right, so if there's no "M", it's not for laptops?
If that's the case, then I assume that none of these will cut it?
LowBudgetPC Shop - nVidia

 

Those are desktop cards. Not the same thing. Again, your best option is to part out what you can from your existing machine and use that money to purchase a new notebook.

 

Not necessarily. You can find the Asus 9800m and 260m on eBay for under $200, and they aren't bad cards for medium level gaming in 720p.

 

Except I wouldn't consider that practical for the reasons outlined below:

There's also the fact that the OP seems to be very much a newbie with this stuff, and replacing the GPU in a notebook might be beyond his level of comfort and expertise. If he messes something up, that's $200 down the drain that could have been used to simply buy a new system.

 

I couldn't agree more.

So lets say I decide to buy a new laptop; what could I get potentially get back for the "good parts" of the old one? And would I need an expert to remove such parts or would careful work with a screw driver be sufficient?