Upgrading Grafix Card in a Laptop?

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous' started by Tehwafflez, Jun 25, 2012.

  1. Hey guys, I've always wonderred if this is possible.. As minecraft for me has always run not the best.. I have 4GB RAM, and I think an outdated AMD Raedon 5490? Not sure on the numbers there..

    If I was to upgrade it how would I do it? Would I send it into a company or something and how much would it cost?

    Thanks, Waf
  2. Can't update laptop gpu's 99.999% of the time. You can however on desktops
  3. Being a Mac user, I don't know a ton about this. :p However, I have owned my share of PCs. I can't recommend doing it yourself unless you REALLY know what you're doing. It's not as easy as screwing open a door and popping the thing in, like you can do with RAM.
  4. yeah I know bout the RAM thing and found out my comp came maxed out on it :\.. I wasn't planning on DIY mainly b/c I don't want t screw with it lol.. I have a Gateway NV53 Laptop and yes I do realize that doesn't help much lol just thought it'd be a ok idea to put it out there :p
  5. I'm not the smartest computer guy, but laptops are difficult to change graphics cards. laptops usually come maxed out on what they come with. Laptops are just very difficult. I would say if anything, make a custom desktop. You can make one, with some of the highest stats for very cheap. Around 800$ is what mines at currently, and I love it.
    A very good website to check out is newegg btw.
    Tai2323 likes this.
  6. That helps quite a bit actually. Of course, it appears that your processor could be one of many, but that's not important in this case. Gateway NV53 Specs [link]

    It appears that you are already running with updated RAM, as you said. Seems strange that the laptop would come like that.

    I think your best bet would be to tweak your PC in general. You know, clear out the junk. Maybe do a reformat?

    Also, are you using OptiFine? It can help quite a bit... Aikar forced me into trying it, and I have to admit....it is wondrous.
  7. Yep this right here.
    Laptops are not only a pain to do the installation, but expensive. Not to mention if you let someone else do it.

    With a Desktop, it is SO easy to build and replace parts. Just like a puzzle.

    Not to mention cheaper, I also have some builds saved up on newegg (with out monitor and speakers)
  8. yup most updated optifine.. I most likely need to defrag and disc clean mainly because I use it for recording stuff.. Its a 500Gig HDD I got close one time and had to delete a lot of vids so I probably should defrag :p
  9. I'm just wondering tho guys IF someone can find me a link or can my local computer store not BestBuy but a repair place can upgrade it?
  10. They could if it isn't an "intergrated"(built into motherboard) card. But I am sure you have a mobility card(normally the number on the spec with end in M,example 5780m)

    BUT you will be paying not only for the card but for the labor( more than likely 100$+ for labor)
  11. Per the spec link I posted, it looks like you have a ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4570. It doesn't appear to be a horrible card, which is why I suggest tweaking. I mean, the laptop I use has an onboard card.

    If you really have your heart set on replacing it, take a look at this slideshow.

    I've taken apart a number of laptops, and it is no easy task. I wouldn't call it "hard" either. But I have huge hands and they have little screws. I have a bad memory and they have tons of parts. What I usually do is lay out a large piece of paper, take out all similar screws and place them in small circles that are labeled with their location / screw number...etc.... If pcworld says 45 minutes, and you've never done it before... bet on a 2 hour minimum, a ton of headaches, lost parts, and a laptop that will never fit together the same way again.

    Also, the price on video cards for laptops is generally pretty outrageous. And you are looking to upgrade, not replace... A quick search shows me pricing (on the card you already have) anywhere between $100 (used) to $250 (new.) So, imagine what a better card will be....
  12. You can't change Laptop GPU's without getting a completely new Motherboard anyways.
  13. yes they said you can if you have a mobility one that isn't intergrated into the motherboard which it seems my series of laptop has which is good news
    bonzd67 likes this.
  14. You also have to make sure you chipset, BIOS, CPU, Motherboard, RAM, support it, Also if your battery can provide the extra current.
  15. bet if I go to some well known site enter my model number they can tell me everything.. Thing is I need ur help lol I'm on my phone and away from home ;)
  16. I really don't recommend it. Your best bet is to save that $ and put it towards a new system. Laptop or Desktop, your call... but it'll be much better in the long run. You know, more bang for your buck that way. I learned the hard way that it's best to save and get what you really want/need, than to try and go cheap.

    For example, I keep coral reef aquariums. When I first got into the hobby, I tried to go cheap on a protein skimmer. They generally run a minimum of $200 for something decent.... I ended up buying 6 different cheap ones, and spent over $450.

    Obviously, its a slightly different situation with computers. I've built my own desktops for 10+ years, and have a degree in IT from PSU. I doubt anyone will disagree with me when I say again, save your money.

    On a side note, PC's have (in my opinion) reached a peak. For the last few years, we've been adding cores, adding memory, etc...to no real performance advantage. My desktop is a Core2 DUO E7400 (2.8 ghz) with 2 GB of Corsair RAM (DDR 2 :eek:), 32 bit win7, 256MB RADEON X850 PRO... and I can do everything my brand new laptop can, with zero performance difference. I'm a heavy user of CAD, Photoshop, and tons of other resource intensive programs. Of course, I can't play Minecraft on this guy because my video card is too old to support the required OpenGL. But, then again, I don't like gaming in the same room that I work from.... The downside of working from home!
  17. Can you run diablo 3 Maxed out? Or render a video at 28 FPS?
  18. LOL. Of course not. I should have phrased it this way... I can do everything [that I want or need to do currently] that my brand new laptop can. :D

    And I only refer to "normal" users. I doubt my Mom needs to run a 64 bit OS with 6GB to play flash and java games!
  19. The first thing I'm worried about is the way you spelled "graphics"