Upgrading Laptop Graphics?

I need a workstation notebook so I was thinking of buying a gaming notebook (since they're cheaper) and separately upgrading the graphics card. What I was thinking of doing was getting a notebook with a gtx 765m/760m/750m/770m/780m and then upgrading it later to a Quadro k2100m.

Is this possible? Does it only work on certain notebooks? And if it IS possible would it be worth the trouble?

 

760M/765M/750M are mostly soldered GPUs, only exceptions is the Alienware 17/18 with the 765M. I think the cheapest MXM laptop will probably be a Clevo or an MSI gaming laptop with a 675MX (Force series barebones). Just make sure if you buy a Clevo vs Alienware, you will more than likely need to buy that manufacturer vBIOS on that GPU.

 

As Tsunade has said only MXM laptops allow you to actually replace the GPU. The only laptops that allow you to improve the GPU are Lenovo's y400/410p/500/510p laptops, which have the ulrabay GPU add-on. There is also the option of adding an external desktop GPU if your laptop has a Thunderbolt (or possibly USB 3.0) port.

 

Okay so this is the graphics card I would want to use to replace the one already in it:

New NVIDIA Quadro K2100M 2GB N15P Q3 A1 GDDR5 Video Card Graphics GPU Haswell | eBay

If I got the Lenovo Y510p, could I put this into it's ultrabay adapter? Would I have to buy the ultrabay model or do all of its models have ultrabay?

 

No, that card is an MXM card, and worse off it's MXM 3.0A (most powerful gaming notebooks use GPUs that eat alot of power, and thus use MXM 3.0B). All Lenovo with the ultrabay, you must buy Lenovo's proprietary GPU.

 

So the card I mentioned (k2100m) won't work on most gaming notebooks since they'll be MXM 3.0B? So basically replacing a graphics card with the k2100m is almost impossible unless it's a barebone laptop with an mxm3.0a or something of the sort right?

Also how can you tell if it's a MXM 3.0A or 3.0B? I'm guessing k3100m is MXM3.0b

New NVIDIA Quadro K3100M 4GB N15E Q1 A2 GDDR5 Video Graphics Card | eBay

 

Correct, I believe the M4600/M4700 are MXM 3.0A. You might want to consider a 3.0B card.

3.0A are wider while 3.0B cards are "taller".

 

What would be a relatively cheap laptop with an MXM 3.0B configuration since k3100m looks like it's taller and able to be put into a 3.0B slot?

 

With what you would have to spend to get this, you would be better off simply buying a workstation notebook from the get-go. Dell frequently offers 20-30% off coupons for its Precision and Latitude workstations from their outlet store. This way you have a complete system with a proper factory warranty.

 

I agree. Look at buying a workstation with base components where upgradeable (get a HDD and swap for SSD, add memory as needed, etc.) and definitely look for a deal.


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that $650 added to your gaming notebook plus a small $2~300 could've got you a proper workstation with working drivers and vbios, not to mention the level of support and expected life under long-and-high CPU and GPU load

if you really want it the way they are, try with RJTech who lets you order the notebook without a GPU, then grab one of the k3100m and install them yourselves, BUT if you can't flash the vbios to the correct, working one, you'll be effectively obtaining a brick

 

Schenker as a clevo-barebone-reseller might just be worth a look. the W504 or NBs like this would be good basis' for your plan.

mySN.de | SCHENKER XMG | Schenker Technologies - SCHENKER W503 mobile Workstation 39,6cm (15.6")

I pointed to the W503, which is 100€ cheaper. as you want to replace the GPU anyway, that makes sense, IMHO.

or you just use the K3100 they offer as an upgrade. 500 € areent' that much and you don't have to exchange them yourself.