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    mini PCI-E videocard

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by godlyatheist, Dec 10, 2009.

  1. godlyatheist

    godlyatheist Notebook Evangelist

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    I know there are mini PCI-E ssd cards. So I'm wondering if there is such a thing as mini pcie video card, like a 9400m or 4500mhd. They would be used to save power in notebooks with dedicated gpu.
     
    godlyatheist, Dec 10, 2009
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  2. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    Nope. Not realistically feasible since you'd need to connect your display to that card somehow, which would mean proprietary wiring for every single laptop.

    You can get a mini PCI-E HD decoder which will offload some rendering off the CPU/GPU to the card when watching HD video, but that would lower your battery life, not improve it.
     
    Hep!, Dec 10, 2009
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  3. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    moral hazard, Dec 12, 2009
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  4. $immond$

    $immond$ Notebook Consultant

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    Dell has replaceable/upgradeable video cards. I wish there was standard set for all notebooks making it easier to replace video cards. It is feasible but it needs to be ratified, something companies don't want to commit to at this point.
     
    $immond$, Dec 12, 2009
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  5. Judicator

    Judicator Judged and found wanting.

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    There is, after a fashion, called MXM. The problem is, as you stated, getting everyone to commit to it. Most companies would rather stick to their proprietary formats and force people to buy their products. Also, this way, they have fewer warranty issues, and worries about people mis-upgrading their systems.
     
    Judicator, Dec 12, 2009
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  6. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    Hep!, Dec 12, 2009
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  7. $immond$

    $immond$ Notebook Consultant

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    Yea I forgot about MXM. I guess MXM 3.0 was recently ratified however its hard find a laptop that has MXM 2, or MXM 3 slots.
     
    $immond$, Dec 12, 2009
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  8. $immond$

    $immond$ Notebook Consultant

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    $immond$, Dec 12, 2009
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  9. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    ok, I see.

    So the OP wants to disable his GPU and use a weak one instead?

    That sounds possible, it's not really going to be practical.

    You could follow nando4s guide on how to disable onboard graphics in the link I gave. Then try using a USB video card. It's going to be weak, but it will save power.
     
    moral hazard, Dec 12, 2009
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  10. $immond$

    $immond$ Notebook Consultant

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    Is there any laptop that will support a next gen upgrade of video cards? Or should I just say I am SOL on finding something that is upgradeable?
     
    $immond$, Dec 12, 2009
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  11. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    I doubt that would even save power TBH.
     
    Hep!, Dec 12, 2009
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  12. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    lol, and you would have to use an external monitor for the usb video card.
     
    moral hazard, Dec 12, 2009
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  13. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    Cheapest solution to extend battery life would be to use Nvidia powermizer to undervolt/underclock the GPU and rmclock to do the same with the cpu, and a bigger battery.

    Otherwise consider selling up, buying a IGP system with a DIY ViDock for accelerated graphics to an external monitor. Expresscard 2.0 systems in 2010 will mean DIY ViDock can deliver exceptional performance with HD5700/HD5800 series desktop cards.

    Or consider purchasing a switchable graphics system like a Lenovo T500, BenQ S42 or Asus ULx0VT series.
     
    User Retired 2, Dec 12, 2009
    #13