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    Is the HP Pavilion dv8t Quad Edition graphics card upgradeable?

    Discussion in 'HP' started by AlphaFlight, Nov 11, 2009.

  1. AlphaFlight

    AlphaFlight Notebook Guru

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    I'm thinking about diving into the purchase of the HP dv8t, everything about looks good on paper except that the video card is a bit anemic.

    I want to know if the motherboard uses the MXM standard and if the GeForce GT 230M inside is upgradeable in the future or is it soldered onto the motherboard?

    Really? I thought it was a pretty simple Q. Isn't it the replacement for HDX18?
     
    AlphaFlight, Nov 11, 2009
    #1
  2. abaddon4180

    abaddon4180 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Most HPs have soldered GPUs
     
    abaddon4180, Nov 11, 2009
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  3. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    most probably no...
     
    sean473, Nov 11, 2009
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  4. jpzsports

    jpzsports Notebook Evangelist

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    The GPU is soldered onto the motherboard, so no.

    But why would you ever need to upgrade it? The GT 230M is plenty powerful.
     
    jpzsports, Nov 11, 2009
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  5. tariqari

    tariqari Newbie

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    Hi Im new here. He probably is hoping to eventually upgrade to dx11 enabled cards. I am also currently looking for a gaming laptop that would be able to upgrade the GPU when dx11 cards for laptops come out, but I am comming to the realization that there may be no choice but to wait for a laptop with one preinstalled. It would still be nice to know though if there is a gaming laptop with an upgradeable GPU on the market right now.
     
    tariqari, Nov 17, 2009
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  6. mikeo1313

    mikeo1313 Notebook Enthusiast

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    it would be good to know which actually do have upgradeable video cards, if any????????
     
    mikeo1313, Dec 15, 2009
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  7. dtwn

    dtwn C'thulhu fhtagn

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    Which? Which what? Which HP?

    Try the 8730/8530/8710/8510 machines. They have removable, not necessarily upgradeable, since the best cards in the machines are the FX3700M for the 8730, FX770m for the 8530, FX3600m for the 8710, FX570m for the 8510.
     
    dtwn, Dec 15, 2009
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  8. fantomasz

    fantomasz Notebook Deity

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    fantomasz, Dec 15, 2009
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  9. smoses799

    smoses799 Notebook Consultant

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    also $350-500 more then the dv8t. My dv8t was $1000 after taxes shipped :p the aspire comes out to $1479 after taxes. imho, ill bank the $479 difference and use that for beer or a ssd.

    the aspire has a better video card and a backlit keyboard
    looks are in the eye of the beholder.

    dv8t has 7200rpm hd vs the aspire's 5200rpm hd ... negligible difference but its still there.

    also hp runs 1333 ram vs aspires 1066.. same. negligible difference but still there.


    so basicly, the aspire has a better gpu but is more expensive. Imho, it depends on what your going for if you want.. the dv8t is a powerhouse that can do it all. It's not a bleeding edge gaming laptop, but can it do it. absolutely.

    The aspire is not bad anyway you put it, I just feel that they are striving for too much and cutting some corners with the 250m (vs 260m), 5200 hd (vs 7200), no bluetooth,and 1066 ram (vs 1333).

    agian, not a bad laptop anyway you look at it, but imho should be priced closer to $1150
     
    smoses799, Dec 15, 2009
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  10. fantomasz

    fantomasz Notebook Deity

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    because Yours was on sale
    regular price for dv8t is now 1299$ which is to high


    Aspire also have better LED display
    hard drive? everybody change drivers soon or later
    it's 1329$ from J&R (free shipping no tax) http://www.jr.com/acer-computer/pe/ACE_AS8940G6865/

    1299$ for HP vs 1329$ for Aspire
     
    fantomasz, Dec 15, 2009
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  11. smoses799

    smoses799 Notebook Consultant

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    1299+ $300 off coupon= 999+75tax= 1075... still not bad.

    I don't think you can discount the hp online coupons. They happen so often that I wouldn't really consider it a "sale"... but I do agree, the aspire is a better buy if you were going to buy a hp from BB,Costco, or any retail store.

    The tax still applies if your in Ca, NJ, or one of the other states where its applicable. if i lived anywhere else.. or had it shipped to ups in nevada, then my comp would have been $940 shipped.
     
    smoses799, Dec 15, 2009
    #11
  12. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    definitely get the acer... it will own the Dv8t...
     
    sean473, Dec 16, 2009
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  13. xenon2050

    xenon2050 Notebook Geek

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    I would have to say that the Acer is significantly better (gaming wise at least) than the HP, plus even with a coupon it isn't much more.
    The Nvidia 250 vs the 230 is a big difference, its a nearly 20FPS difference in Crysis and more than 2000 point difference in 3dmark 06
    So yeah...
     
    xenon2050, Dec 16, 2009
    #13
  14. fantomasz

    fantomasz Notebook Deity

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    Im in NJ and store in NY
    I place order and I was not charged for tax or shipping
     
    fantomasz, Dec 16, 2009
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  15. smoses799

    smoses799 Notebook Consultant

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    wow. i stand corrected. that's pretty cool. grats on the new comp :)
     
    smoses799, Dec 16, 2009
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  16. fantomasz

    fantomasz Notebook Deity

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    I don't have it
    I hope I get this by friday
     
    fantomasz, Dec 16, 2009
    #16