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    ExpressCard/54 Slot...Any news on video cards for it yet?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Methuselah, Nov 30, 2006.

  1. Methuselah

    Methuselah Notebook Enthusiast

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    At one time I read mention of the new slot format being used for PCI-E graphics cards by ATI but haven't seen much about it since then. I recently bought an HP dv9000 that has a ExpressCard/54 slot that is used with the TV tuner it came with. I've yet to actually try the tuner out. The laptop is a C2D 1.66Ghz with 2GB of ram and a Go7600 video card so at the moment I haven't had any issues with game performance. I'm just curious if anyone has heard anymore about video card usage of this fast port or if my current laptop will be "old" before they get around to that tech. I typically get a new laptop every 2-2.5 years but if such cards were available I might entertain such an upgrade in a year's time.
     
    Methuselah, Nov 30, 2006
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  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    NO...not enough bandwidth for a better GPU. Actually, not enough bandwidth for any GPU that does 3D work. You might be able to use it to drive another DVI port, but that is it.

    However, TV Tuners are in the works apparently.
     
    Greg, Nov 30, 2006
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  3. circa86

    circa86 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    oh there isn't enough bandwidth? i thought Express card had enough??? guess not.

    If someone designed some type of connection that went to some type of external PCI-E enclosure that would be amazing, or just have a GPU standard in notebooks damnit. and have companies actually sell notebook GPUs
     
    circa86, Nov 30, 2006
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  4. Methuselah

    Methuselah Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well the only info I found on the bandwidth of the cards was from the spec site:

    As noted that is a PCI-E x1 not a PCI-E x16 as used in most modern video card installs. The x1 is only a single duplex lane at 2.5Gbps whereas the x16 uses 16 lanes for a 40Gbps rate if I read the PCI spec correctly. There is supposedly an x32 as well but it is not used.
     
    Methuselah, Nov 30, 2006
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  5. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Always alot of speculation but nothing solid.
     
    coriolis, Nov 30, 2006
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  6. Angelic

    Angelic Kickin' back :3

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    There are already at least 2 tv tuners available. Its simple guys, all new info on express cards made can be found out at www.expressscard.org
     
    Angelic, Nov 30, 2006
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  7. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Can't USB 2.0 and Firewire both be used to drive an external graphics card?

    I mean, buy one, and plug it in to a USB and Firewire port.
     
    usapatriot, Nov 30, 2006
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  8. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    All those will do is give you another monitor port. No additional graphics power.
     
    Greg, Nov 30, 2006
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