Expert Knowledge Required - Updating GPUs?

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  1. Posts : 1,705
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 ®™
       #1

    Expert Knowledge Required - Updating GPUs?


    Sorry, the title should read "upgrading"

    If my graphics card fails, and I have to send it of to Sony, if it's the actual chip that is at fault, would they just replace the chip, or the whole card, and if it is one or the other, can it be replaced with something else?
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  2. Posts : 4,573
       #2

    No way they replace the chip. The labor cost alone is too high, never mind the admin costs.

    You will receive at least a duplicate as a replacement, and it is not unheard of to get a next gen replacement.

    It is cheaper for me to give a customer a new mobo than it is to solder on a new PS/2 port. Sad but true.
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  3. Posts : 1,705
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 ®™
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Antman said:
    You will receive at least a duplicate as a replacement, and it is not unheard of to get a next gen replacement
    Let me ask this then, if I came to you, and I said I wanted to upgrade the card in my laptop, and I have £500, would/could you do it, and what card would you replace my 8600 with?
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  4. Posts : 795
    windows 7 RTM x64
       #4

    laptops are a different story, the video card (chip) is usually soldered directly onto the motherboard, there is no way to upgrade the video in most laptops. Some you can, but you will spend almost as much as just buying a new laptop with the better video card in it already.

    I just checked, your model does not have a seperate video card, you have no way of upgrading the graphics on this laptop.

    Also, could a Mod please move this to the right forum, its not a "chill-out" topic.
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  5. Posts : 279
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #5

    Thats why you need an alien ware or something.
    I think it would be easier to upgrade the CPU than the GPU.
    I think laptops aren't really made to be gaming computers yet.
    Which means that in most laptops you can only upgrade the RAM and HDD.
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  6. Posts : 1,705
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 ®™
    Thread Starter
       #6

    ccatlett1984 said:
    I just checked, your model does not have a seperate video card, you have no way of upgrading the graphics on this laptop.
    So should the chip fail, Sony would replace the MB?

    ccatlett1984 said:
    Also, could a Mod please move this to the right forum, its not a "chill-out" topic.
    It was posted in chill-out because it's not a Windows 7 issue.
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  7. Posts : 1,705
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 ®™
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Fastboy42 said:
    I think laptops aren't really made to be gaming computers yet.
    I'm not after a gaming machine, but if it is possible to upgrade something on my laptop, then of course I'm going to want to do it.
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  8. Posts : 4,573
       #8

    FZ21Z said:
    Let me ask this then, if I came to you, and I said I wanted to upgrade the card in my laptop, and I have £500, would/could you do it, and what card would you replace my 8600 with?
    The upgrade could be done. I would not do it. I am a businessman and a pragmatist. I would sell you a new platform.
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  9. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #9

    You're best bet is going to be to look for a new laptop. Most laptops don't have a swappable graphics card, as others have mentioned. The good news is, given you have a Sony, you'll be able to buy another brand in time for far less money, and then spend some of the difference in upgraded graphics. At least over here, Sony's are very expensive compared to equally equipped Dells and HPs.
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  10. Posts : 1,705
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 ®™
    Thread Starter
       #10

    DeaconFrost said:
    Most laptops don't have a swappable graphics card, as others have mentioned.
    It's also been mentioned that it is possible, and this is why asked for experts, because there is conflicting information no matter where I look.


    DeaconFrost said:
    Sony's are very expensive compared to equally equipped Dells and HPs.
    But I would buy neither of those two, and although I do admire Alienware laptops, those too are expensive, and bulky. My Vaio is going nowhere soon, and as there is a possibility that the card could indeed be changed, I'll hold out for now.
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