Laptop graphics card and RAM upgrades

I currently own an Alienware M5500 (yes, I know Alienware sucks), and since upgrading to a newer laptop is out of question, my only option is to upgrade its hardware.

Well, since you cannot upgrade mobile graphics cards, would that mean you would need to buy a new motherboard to "upgrade" to a better graphics card? The one card I currently have sucks to say the least. What would be the best solution for this issue? My current graphics card doesn't allow me to play newer games without having an FPS of 5 or less.

For RAM, depending on the price I'd like 2gb or 4gb total memory. I have dual memory slots, currently each is equipped with 512mb cards, and as time progresses, 1gb of memory becomes less practical.

My current computer specs (if you should need them):

Operating System: XP Service Pack 3 Media Center Edition
Processor: Intel Pentium M @ 1.73GHz
Graphics Card: Mobile Intel 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express
Memory: 1024mb (512mb x 2)

Links to products would be nice if possible. If you require any additional information, just post.

Thanks!

 

If you want to play newer games buy a new machine.

 

Agreed, swapping on the mobo for laptops, im guessing, is pretty hard, the only other option i can see is upgrade like crazy, and go for some extreme overclocking hehe.

 

Tweaking with your laptops video cards is a very touchy situation, and the consequences could cost you both your machine and the new card.. Agreed it is usually better to get a new and better one.

 

I'd get a new computer if I could, but right now it wouldn't please the mistress, so upgrading would be the only choice.

 

There's not too much upgrading you can do short of replacing the entire motherboard, which would definitely not be cost-effective. You could add some more memory (I presume that machine uses DDR memory?), but it won't help too much in gaming - you're getting bottlenecked by the graphics card.

I think your best bet is to hang in there, save up, and get yourself a better laptop.

 

He wants actual help guys not advice on buying a new laptop and he clearly stated that. According to this http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/Table.html your laptop has mxm. Now yours dosent have a dedicated graphics card already so i think you would need to buy a new motherboard with an mxm slot and sell your old one. According to that you could use up to an nvidia 8600m gt which is pretty good. Im not to good with mxm and such so you will have to talk to another member but hey at least i tried.

 

I doubt its cost effective. Just trying to save him money. Cheapest route would be to go the desktop route.

 

A brand new dual core laptop, 16" screen, nicely accellerated graphics, 4 Gb ram, dual core running at 2 GB, reasonably large HD and DVD super-multi runs less than $600- these days.

With a warranty.

 

follow my tweaks guide for xp in my sig.... let me know if you notice the difference