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    Video Card Upgrades - Possible?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by nash345, Jun 13, 2008.

  1. nash345

    nash345 Newbie

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    Hi All,

    I've been building friend's custom computers in my basement for a couple of years. They are easy to work with and upgrades are plentiful.

    Recently I was given a Laptop (to keep! w00t!). It's about 4 years old, a Sony Vaio, and it runs like a dog with 3 legs. I replaced the 512 MB RAM with 2 GB and it was a significant upgrade. But I want to use it to play 3D video games and it just can't handle it. Even EVE on lowest graphics it still stumbles.

    I'm using a Pentium M 1.7 GHZ processor and the (terribad) Intel G915GM video with 128 MB shared video.

    I was wondering if it's even possible to upgrade the video to a different card. If so, where can I find a list of upgrades?

    Thanks
    Nash345
     
  2. dtwn

    dtwn C'thulhu fhtagn

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    Nope, that's an integrated card.

    Also, terribad is awesome.
    A driver update *might* help.
     
  3. nash345

    nash345 Newbie

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    Haha, yeah it is. I only use it when I'm truly PO'd though.

    So if I can't switch out the card, is there a workaround? Has anyone figured USB add in video memory? (I doubt it but man there's money to be had there).

    Is the video then part of the motherboard? If so, where can I find a better motherboard that will work w/ the case?

    I've already hit it w/ a new driver and somehow I think it's worse. Definately not better. The driver is Jan 2007 dated.
     
  4. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    I would just buy new. When all is said and done will still be a three legged dog but with vet bills.
     
  5. sirmetman

    sirmetman Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yeah, unfortunately in this case, beggers can't be choosers. It's free. It'll be good for regular laptop uses, but not gaming. Or at least nothing in any way modern. You could play older games though.
     
  6. nash345

    nash345 Newbie

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    True. Someday the market will be there for upgradeable laptops, or at least the ability to build your own (cuz the vendors always seem to find a way to screw it up). Time to rip out the SNES emulator and play some Mario RPG.
     
  7. sirmetman

    sirmetman Notebook Virtuoso

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    The market is there, but due to the tight quarters in a laptop, standardizing and componentizing across makes and models is tough. Also, just like desktops, on the low end, there is no upgradability. And you can build your own, you just have to start with a barebones model. The GPU is often soldered/built in to the mobo though.
     
  8. notyou

    notyou Notebook Deity

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    Super Mario RPG? That game is awesome.
     
  9. Nirvana

    Nirvana Notebook Prophet

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    there are some external GPUs coming soon, but you will be require at least an express card slot.