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    Upgrading my Laptop video card

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Pepsibottle1, Jan 19, 2010.

  1. Pepsibottle1

    Pepsibottle1 Newbie

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    Well, I was doing research on laptops and such, and had seen that it is said that "It is impossible to upgrade a laptop video card". Well, I have an Intel 950GM integrated video card on my IBM Thinkpad R60, and before you say that it is not possible to do such a swap, consider this.

    I have Intel documentation that specifically says that my motherboard has an extra PCI-E X16 slot, and that I could upgrade to a dedicated video card if desired. I've also taken the laptop apart, and have seen with my own eyes that the port was indeed vacant. Therefore, yes, I can upgrade my video card. Yes, I know it is not feasible, but I just want to install something older, so that I at least have dedicated video for my games. However, I have a question.

    How do I determine the power of my power supply?

    - Matt
     
    Pepsibottle1, Jan 19, 2010
    #1
  2. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Matt,

    Power (Watts) = Voltage x Amperage.

    What is your R60's power adaptor rated for? This will be the maximum that the notebook's onboard power supply can supply in theory, realistically it will be 15 to 25% less, depending on how efficient it is and how 'overbuilt' the power adaptor is, it may even be less. But, we're just guessing here.

    Assuming that you could do this, how do you intend to put a heat sink in for the discrete graphics card? Sure, you can get it to 'work' in theory, but making it work continuously, without degrading (heat) the rest of the components is why I recommend you look at a new notebook, if you really need more graphics processing power.

    But, I wish you all the best in your quest here - I know I'd be interested in how far you get with this idea. :)

    Cheers!
     
    tilleroftheearth, Jan 19, 2010
    #2
  3. millermagic

    millermagic Rockin the pinktop

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    Your PCIE slot can't be used for a video card, the interface itself is significantly different than that of a PCIE desktop card. The PCIE slots on laptops are used for wireless cards, 3g wireless cards, bluetooth, gps and (in some cases) SSDs.

    The standard for laptops is MXM 1, 2, 3 etc and some laptops use proprietary stuff.

    The video card on your thinkpad is likely part of the motherboard. Assuming this is the case, you are going to have to upgrade the whole motherboard to a different motherboard with upgraded video card.
     
    millermagic, Jan 19, 2010
    #3
  4. Kdawgca

    Kdawgca rotaredoM repudrepuS RBN

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    Thread closed.

    From the threads mentioned in the sticky:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=86864

    If you know a way to enable the slot and disable the onboard(aswell as handle the thermal properties), please share it with us...in the above linked thread.
     
    Kdawgca, Jan 19, 2010
    #4