Toshiba M45-S355 graphics question

Hello,

This is taken from http://www.intel.com/cd/products/services/emea/eng/150529.htm

3D Gaming
Intel GMA 900 graphics now include hardware acceleration for 3D applications that utilize DirectX* 9 and OpenGL*, so you can play games for fun and enjoyment. If you decide to play games for sport or competition, you can always utilize the PCI Express graphics slot to upgrade to a graphics card, and “frag” with the best.

I'm wondering where the so called "PCI Express graphics slot" is located. I didn't know it was possible to upgrade the graphics on laptops? I'm sick of getting 60-65 fps max when I play Counter-Strike 1.6.

 

That is only true for desktop systems. It has nothing to do with GMA 900 or Intel. If the laptop manufacturer decides to include a PCIe slot then they can. Most dont. Although there are couple of Sagers which can utilize both integrated as well as dedicated graphics. 99% of the laptops sold do not have upgradable graphics cards, there are some exceptions but they are few and even then upgradability is limited since graphics cards for laptops are propreitary design.

 

Aw rats .

 

Yeah sorry dude, I used to think the same way. They should really invent a graphics card that can fit in a pc card slot or something. I mean, my notebook has plenty of ram, a very fast processor, a large, fast hard drive but then integrated graphics completely ruin it for gaming, which is a REAL ****ing shame!!

 

Taken from http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2212

"Peter indicated that he was experiencing some frustration trying to figure out how to access the Express Card slot. Well, I had the same, but it turns out that the slot is non-functional. Toshiba stuck a plastic dummy in there and they apparently at one time were going to have this slot available, but then changed their minds. The bad thing is that on their website in places they indicate this slot as being available, but it is not."

Mine won't open either, it seems like the slot entrance is superglued or something. Wow, Toshiba is so misleading!

 

I was wondering if its possible to change out the system board of one of these M45 units with another from the same model only with better graphics? My current one has the intel 910 GMA series inbedded graphics. I'd like to switch it out with a system board that has the ATI mobile. (less directx issues).

Lazarus

 

It is very, very, very unlikely that you will be able to switch out the MOBO in your notebook - you'd have to find a newer MOBO that would fit in your notebook and have similar power consumption, or risk overheats/shut-downs. Even if you could, the cost of the new MOBO would cost about the same as buying a brand new notebook.