Can I put a GPU in my laptop?

[Music Guy123]

Hi there, I currently have integrated graphics in my laptop, is there anyway to improve this? Possibly by adding a proper graphics card, does my laptop have a spare PCI- (E) slot or not??? My laptop is a Packard Bell Easynote LJ71, the 1TB HDD version. Any help would be much appreciated! Also, i did accidently post this thread in the wrong section earlier and didn't know how to delete the thread...sorry!!!

 

[Maguscreed]

There is no way to upgrade laptop graphics for any model I currently know of. While the new thunderbolt interface allows for this to possibly happen in the near future the upgrade would actually be something you plugged into the laptop externally.

Unfortunately by necessity of design the large majority of laptop motherboards are simply as is.
This is not an absolute, but it may as well be...

To delete a post you should be able to click edit and then find a delete button there.

 

[Music Guy123]

Thank you, I did think that was the case!!! I need to delete a whole thread though, not just a post!!! Anyway, doesn't matter, it will just get ignored!!! Thank you for your reply though.

 

[bassfisher6522]

There are external GPU's you can use. Here is a link for ViDock and a link for youtube video showing how it works.


ViDock Gfx: High Performance Dual Display Notebook Expansion

External Graphics Card for Laptop (ViDock 2) - YouTube

 

[bassfisher6522]

Here is a better link to ViDock, it's ViDock 2.

ViDock 2: High Performance Dual Display Notebook Expansion

Have a look at this...installation of standard GPU.

http://www.villagetronic.com/vidock2/installation.html

 

[Maguscreed]

Those have been around for awhile, I can't attest to their effectiveness given the limitations in bandwidth.
Gaming is high demand. A lot more so than a lot of people seem to realize.

 

[Music Guy123]

Yeah thank you, looks like an improvement to my integrated graphics!!! I know this sounds stupid but how does it connect to your laptop and how much does the thing cost? Thanks for the help, very interesting!

 

[Corazon]

Not cheap...prices seem to start at US$199 and go up from there. And that's only for the ViDock itself - you'll still need a PCI-E videocard to install in it.

Also, this solution (while genuinely cool) is useless if your laptop doesn't have an ExpressCard slot.

With the total expense you're looking at, you're approaching the point where a new laptop with better onboard graphics might make more sense.

Which laptop do you have anyway?

 

[Music Guy123]

Ok, I think I will wait a bit it isn't too necessary and I think it is a little too expensive for me. Also, i don't have a pci-e express slot so that isn't going to help!!! I have a Packard Bell Easynote LJ71. I have the 1TB version. Thanks for the replies but I think it is a little too expensive!!!

 

[Maguscreed]

Honestly it's the holidays if you shop around... for about 400 bucks you could probably get a whole new laptop with a better graphics chip already in it.

 

[smarteyeball]

There is no way to upgrade laptop graphics for any model I currently know of

There are quite a few models actually, but they are mainboards with dedicated cards (not intergrated) and are usually a found in the upper-end ($$$) bracket.

But you're right about upgrading intergrated GPUS - can't be done without replacing the mainboard.


OP, just had a look at your model - an addon card is simply not worth the effort/expense.

 

[Maguscreed]

Yeah, I don't see the point in upgrading a laptop that cost over 1500-2000 to start with though.
It would seem more like I was intentionally creating my own money pit than upgrading at that point.