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    Upgrade Graphics Card on G50vt-a2

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Kretren, Apr 10, 2009.

  1. Kretren

    Kretren Newbie

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    The laptop:

    ASUS G50Vt-A2 Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 (2.53GHz) Processor, 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) Display, 4GB DDR2 Memory, 640GB (2 x 320GB 7200RPM) Hard Drive, Blu-Ray Disc Drive, NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GS 512MB Graphics Card, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit

    The problem:

    I'm looking to buy this laptop in the near future but I want to know if I can upgrade the graphics card. I've contacted ASUS direct but they can't help me on this, and any distributors won't install things so really I just need to know if the items listed below are even compatible.

    Also, can I upgrade the RAM from 4gb to more than that?

    Hope someone knows the answer. Thanks.

    The models I'm interested in for graphics cards are below:

    GeForce GTX 260M

    GeForce GTX 280M SLI

    GeForce GTX 280M
     
    Kretren, Apr 10, 2009
    #1
  2. Althernai

    Althernai Notebook Virtuoso

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    You will not be able to do SLI because there is almost certainly no physical space for the second card to go. Given that this is a 15.4" laptop, the probability of you being to stuff a GTX280M into it without causing it to overheat and/or draw more power than its adapter supplies is pretty much zero. The GTX260 is cooler and draws less power so I suppose it's not impossible, but it's still extremely unlikely.

    Why don't you save yourself the trouble and just buy the Clevo M860TU (aka Sager NP8662, etc.)? Even if by some miracle you managed to stuff a GTX260 into the ASUS, it will still be more expensive because you have to buy the card separately.
     
    Althernai, Apr 10, 2009
    #2
  3. catacylsm

    catacylsm Notebook Prophet

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    Well he could try some of the 4850+ Radeon cards, they can use a fair bit of power and heat up alot, but it will most likely fit if at present he has a 9800m gs in it.
     
    catacylsm, Apr 10, 2009
    #3
  4. TehSuigi

    TehSuigi Notebook Virtuoso

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    And before you get caught up in the subject, you need to check whether this fellow's ASUS notebook has an MXM card in it. Otherwise, the graphics can't be upgraded, end of story.
     
    TehSuigi, Apr 10, 2009
    #4
  5. eurasianbro

    eurasianbro Notebook Consultant

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    Yup, Clevo M860 was on my head too. But that Asus is pretty kick- still.
     
    eurasianbro, Apr 10, 2009
    #5
  6. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Why do you need more than 4GB? Games don't need more than that. 8GB is pretty expensive now and only necessary for work applications (calculations, graphic design, etc.)
     
    sgogeta4, Apr 10, 2009
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  7. Kretren

    Kretren Newbie

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    Well in my experience it's best to have too much than too little. The computer I'm working with now is pretty much done, as will be the case 2-3 years after I get the ASUS (at least, the graphics card will). Getting the upgrade, as someone said, would increase the lifespan of the graphics card by 1-1.5 years on decent settings.

    Okay, general consensus: I don't need to upgrade? Because I won't if I don't have to but notebooks are generally weaker than desktops so upgrading, I thought, would be necessary.

    Thanks!

    -also, the clevo's nice but the graphics card is actually weaker (the computer is 9800-capable though) so I fail to see how this would solve the problem.
     
    Kretren, Apr 11, 2009
    #7
  8. L4d_Gr00pie

    L4d_Gr00pie Notebook Evangelist

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    The clevo they are talking about is the 15'4 M860TU with a GTX 260M in it, which is far superior than the 9800 GS of the G50vt.
     
    L4d_Gr00pie, Apr 11, 2009
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  9. Althernai

    Althernai Notebook Virtuoso

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    Whether you need to upgrade or not depends on what you intend to use the laptop for. Whether or not it is possible to upgrade the G50Vt-A2 with those cards is a different question and the answer is: probably not.
    You are looking at the wrong laptop. I was talking about this Clevo, which comes with one of the graphics cards you wanted to upgrade to.
     
    Althernai, Apr 11, 2009
    #9
  10. stevezachtech

    stevezachtech Notebook Evangelist

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    Upgrading the graphics card could cost you more than you more than just your graphics but probably also your entire system if you don't research it properly. Good luck with your attempt.
     
    stevezachtech, Apr 16, 2009
    #10