Upgrade ThinkPad Video Card?

Hi everyone, I've been shopping around for a laptop for a while now and have really taken a liking to Lenovo. I like the performance I can get from the notebook, however, the one thing that holds me back is the video card. Here are the specs of the machine I want:

ThinkPad R61:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
14.1 WXGA TFT, w/ Camera
nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Enhanced
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
9 cell Li-Ion Battery

I can get that for $981, which is a good deal. But like I said, I'm hesitant on that video card (which is the only one offered for that line). I read that it is the equivalent to an nVidia GeForce Go 7500, which is not all that impressive. So what I was wondering is if there is a way to buy another card and upgrade it.

The card has a PCI-e x16 interface, which I found many of on newegg. I'm just not too sure about their compatibility, since all laptop video cards seem to have an "M" after the number, and none of the aftermarket ones do. I am not sure if those cards would work.

I am also concerned about heat buildup as that tends to pose a large problem in laptops. Would there be room for a card with a heatsink and fan?

Otherwise, if I need a laptop specific card, could someone point me in the right direction to go in order to find one?

Any help is much appreciated, thanks in advance.

Edit- I just realized that there is an entire section for graphics cards. Sorry for posting in the wrong section, if this could be moved it would be appreciated.

 

No you cannot upgrade lenovo GPU's...if you want a stronger graphics card go with the t61p. don't worry about heat on thinkpads...they manage heat better than almost any laptop out there.

 

You cannot upgrade almost any video card in a notebook. The NewEgg cards are for desktops, which obviously will not fit.

 

BTW that NVS 140m is equal to 8400GS and should be good enough for older games.

 

For the 'upgrade' options available, you'd be better off going with the T61p as already mentioned.

The Q 140M will never be a great gamer, but it depends on what you're playing, and really you options are so limited it's better to just buy a better GPU in the laptop to begin with.

 

They all said above. But just for discussion if it was possible it would still not make any sense. The cost and voided warranty would exceed the cost of going to the T61 as mentioned above. And sadly looks like you just missed the 25% off sale ended the 17th. With that sale ThinkPads were hard to beat for value. The 570m is a very nice card like the 8600m GDDR3 (actually better).

 

Yeah, I've been watching that sale for a while now. It's been there since February, they just say it expires every week. Right now it expires on April 7th I believe.

Thanks for the suggestions; it looks like the T61p is a better laptop for the money. Can anyone tell me anything about the nVidia Quadro FX 570M? I have been having a hard time finding a lot of information on it. What would its GeForce equivalent be?

I'm not much of a gamer, but every now and then I enjoy playing one or two. I just don't want my video card to be obsolete a year after I buy the laptop.

Thanks again.

 

Well you quoted me, I said it. 8600m GT with GDDR3. The gaming card (8600) is the same as the profesional design card but 8600 has some functionality disabled. If you want to only game on 570m you can get drivers that will maximise direct X. You can't get drivers to make a 8600 a 570 as I said 8600 has some features disabled, it is a crippled 570m it will be fine for gaming for a couple more years but remember it started as a midlevel card so that is the best it will ever be they don't move up as they age, not wine. It should be fine.