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    Help With Sony Vaio Cw Upgrades

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by mets3214, Sep 12, 2011.

  1. mets3214

    mets3214 Notebook Consultant

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    I have a Sony Vaio CW thats almost 2 years old. I want to upgrade this laptop instead of just buying a new one because it will be cheaper.

    My current specs are
    Intel core i5-520M @ 2.40 ghz with turbo boost to ghz (quad-core)
    8 GB RAM- I upgraded from 4GB ram for $45
    NVIDIA GeForce 310M with 256MB VRAM
    14" 1366x768 LED-back-lit display
    320GB 5400RPM hard-drive

    I want to install an SSD on this laptop. What is the best SSD to get at around 80GB? I want to replace my optical drive with a hard-drive. What hard-drive to you recommend at 500GB or more and 7200RPM?
    Is there any way to make the keyboard a back-lit keyboard?
    I have a spot on my screen, do any of you know what it is and how to fix it? If it cant be fixed, is there any way to get a better display on this like a 1600x900 display. I have a pic here-- ddecca02.jpg picture by Mets3214 - Photobucket

    I also want to upgrade my graphics card so I can do some light gaming, any advice on that?

    The battery life is pretty horrible so I think I should just get a 9 cell battery from Sony.

    I know I'm asking alot of questions so I want to say thank you to anybody who takes time to read this and give me some advice.
     
    mets3214, Sep 12, 2011
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  2. clone63

    clone63 Notebook Consultant

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    -You will not be able to upgrade the graphics card unless you set up an external DIYdock. Easily found when searched for.

    -That bright hook shaped spot? I believe you are stuck with it.

    -As far as I know, there are no screens better than 1600x900 for 14".

    -A 9 cell would help a bit but check a battery wear program to see if yours is half dead and you truly need the extra cells or just a replacement.

    -Someone that knows more about vaio's could say if the KB has a backlight version, but I would guess no.

    -As for an SSD that depends on your budget, they are all over in price. Crucial M4's are nice for the price. For an extra 7.2k rpm, try the newer Hitachi model, or a WD7500BPKT
     
    clone63, Sep 12, 2011
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  3. mets3214

    mets3214 Notebook Consultant

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    I have a 1366x768, where can I find a 1600x900 display?
     
    mets3214, Sep 12, 2011
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  4. wildman_33

    wildman_33 Notebook Evangelist

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    The GPU could be upgraded although it would involve swapping out the entire mobo (expensive) as the CW was available with the gt330m which is what i have and it still manages to game perfectly well at the default 1336x768 res. There is a 1600x900 display available as it was an option on the sony website so im sure you could get one off ebay athough the gpu would struggle with the higher resolution as even the gt330m only has 512mb GDDR3 and is only a mid range card.

    I doubt a backlit keyboard would be possible as it was never an option.
     
    wildman_33, Sep 15, 2011
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