Add a video card to a laptop?

Onkel Neal · 03-10-09, 09:00 AM

Just for fun, say I wanted to upgrade my Dell Inspiron 1318 with a video card, can this be done? It came with integrated graphics, which is ok, I don't plan to use it for gaming (well,, maybe the occasional game of AOE or Sub Command), but does a laptop generally have room and capability to upgrade?

VipertheSniper · 03-10-09, 09:30 AM

Hmmm... Fujitsu-Siemens made a laptop (Amilo Sa 3650) with an external graphics booster (Radeon HD3870 512MB GDDR3)... that won't help you much tho, as this graphics booster will only work with that laptop and is not sold seperatly. And when you connect it to the laptop you need an external display, although there is a beta-driver out, that allows video output on the laptop display.

To answer your question: Apart from the upgrades like more ram or a bigger HDD, there's generally no possibility to upgrade a laptops gfx card.

SteamWake · 03-10-09, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Just for fun, say I wanted to upgrade my Dell Inspiron 1318 with a video card, can this be done? It came with integrated graphics, which is ok, I don't plan to use it for gaming (well,, maybe the occasional game of AOE or Sub Command), but does a laptop generally have room and capability to upgrade?

Typically not, your not going to be able to buy off the shelf a video card that will physically fit and cooling is an issue as well.

Most video cards for laptops are custum designed to fit in a latptop(s).

I know the video card in my desktop is about the size of a laptop :rotfl:

Digital_Trucker · 03-10-09, 01:23 PM

Judging by their website, it doesn't look like you can add a video card. Going through the "build" option, under video card, there is no option for anything except the onboard video. I'm sure, if the capability were there on the motherboard to add a video card, they would be ready and willing to sell you one.

Onkel Neal · 03-10-09, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital_Trucker

Judging by their website, it doesn't look like you can add a video card. Going through the "build" option, under video card, there is no option for anything except the onboard video. I'm sure, if the capability were there on the motherboard to add a video card, they would be ready and willing to sell you one.

Ah, yeah, that makes sense. Thanks

SUBMAN1 · 03-10-09, 08:43 PM

Some of the larger docking stations make room for PCI or AGP (probably PCI-E now days). Not sure if yours does, but this is more common than you think.

-S

03-10-09, 09:00 AM	#1
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,385 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	Add a video card to a laptop? Just for fun, say I wanted to upgrade my Dell Inspiron 1318 with a video card, can this be done? It came with integrated graphics, which is ok, I don't plan to use it for gaming (well,, maybe the occasional game of AOE or Sub Command), but does a laptop generally have room and capability to upgrade? __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

03-10-09, 01:23 PM	#4
Digital_Trucker Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Peach State Posts: 4,171 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 10	Judging by their website, it doesn't look like you can add a video card. Going through the "build" option, under video card, there is no option for anything except the onboard video. I'm sure, if the capability were there on the motherboard to add a video card, they would be ready and willing to sell you one. __________________ RSM-GIEP-Killflags-LV Tribute-Playable Elco __Peace be with you, Dave.

03-10-09, 08:43 PM	#6
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Some of the larger docking stations make room for PCI or AGP (probably PCI-E now days). Not sure if yours does, but this is more common than you think. -S __________________

03-10-09, 09:30 AM	#2
VipertheSniper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Austria Posts: 1,072 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Hmmm... Fujitsu-Siemens made a laptop (Amilo Sa 3650) with an external graphics booster (Radeon HD3870 512MB GDDR3)... that won't help you much tho, as this graphics booster will only work with that laptop and is not sold seperatly. And when you connect it to the laptop you need an external display, although there is a beta-driver out, that allows video output on the laptop display. To answer your question: Apart from the upgrades like more ram or a bigger HDD, there's generally no possibility to upgrade a laptops gfx card.