Upgrading graphic card on Z61t?

Hey guys, I bought my Z61t that has a fixed Intel(R) GMA 950 graphic card. Now I learn that all versions of Vista beyond Home Basic requires a better graphic card to function fully. Even though my machine can run Window Vista Home Basic version, but I hope I can install the Home Premium version if it comes out. Is there any way I can upgrade my graphic card to meet this demand?

 

No, if you already have intergrated graphics, then it is not possible to upgrade the graphics. You are not alone, as almost all notebooks don't have upgradeable graphics. Vista should be able to run on the graphics you have at the moment, however. It is possible to run Aero on the graphics you have, so I see no reason why you won't be able to run the Premium Version.

 

Zero, thanks for the reply. Can you explain to me what is Aero? If I really want to upgrade my graphic card, does that mean I need to get a new machine?

 

Your video card meets the requirements of all versions of Windows Vista. Aero is the new user interface and you can use it if your notebook is equipped with min 1GB of RAM.

Yes, it does.

 

there is one thing you might be able to try, but there are a lot of downsides.

if you buy the advanced dock (~300$!!!), there is a PCI express slot for you to put in a PCI express video card. The catch is, the slot is only 1x (compared to the top speed 16x), and can only support cards that are low-profile.

Obviously, since the use of a dock, it would only be helpful for when you are at home (or wherever the dock is).

i'm not 100% sure on the details, since i don't have this set up, so other people feel free to correct me if i'm wrong.

I've seen a lot of other posts about it (usually for people trying to get a dual monitor-setup working). Try searching for threads on the topic...

 

My university is only going to offer student licensing for Window Vista Ultimate when it is available, so I guess I need to try it out to see whether there are any problems with that (OS slowing down, etc.).

 

You should be able to run some features and disable others, thus still having "Vista".

 

Hello!

Vista eye candy requires a directX 10 graphics card with minimum 256 for the the effects of the aero to look cool as not as if u r wathing slide show. Aero effects are nothing but your windows stack up behinde each other has a glass touch to see whats behinde the other window and some othe effects to go along.

If is not possible to upgrade ur card,but u can upload the higher ver you will getr everything minius the effects.

RS

 

Vista only requires a DX9 graphics card, not a DX10 card. Also, 256 MB is something that is required for high end games, and Vista will only need 64 MB. Bear in mind, that a GMA 950 will be able to run Aero, and a GMA 950 is a very low end intergrated graphics processor.

 

Aero works -perfectly- fine on my GMA 950 on a Z61t also. And by Aero, I mean the entire thing, not just the basic stuff.

Windows flip gets a little choppy, but it's still well above acceptable (worst, maybe 30 fps when you're transitioning in and out of windows flip).

 

Thanks for all the advices. Looking forward for this cool feature.

 

Any one know how it runs on the z61m with ati x1400?

 

Based on ATI's web site X1400 is vista premium capable. So i think it will run aero pretty well. But i never see it in life though.