Changing Onboard Graphics Card in Laptop

[smartman]

Hi guys, I'm a noob here, and was just wondering if there was any way to change my onboard graphics card in my laptop? My laptop is a Acer Aspire 5520, with the default Nvidia Geforce 7000m.

I'm usually alright with it, but I'm trying to start playing serious games (Arkham Asylum ), and I get this error "1x32 fb render target issue".

I really hope this is more of a software issue than anything.

Thanks,
Smartman

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi guys, I'm a noob here, and was just wondering if there was any way to change my onboard graphics card in my laptop? My laptop is a Acer Aspire 5520, with the default Nvidia Geforce 7000m.

I'm usually alright with it, but I'm trying to start playing serious games (Arkham Asylum ), and I get this error "1x32 fb render target issue".

I really hope this is more of a software issue than anything.

Thanks,
Smartman

Have you looked to see if your current graphics chipset is capable of running your games. That error IS usually a software issue and you may not have to change at all


IF you have to change, it isnt the kind of change that most laptop owners (unless pretty handy and unless you dont mind voiding your warranty) can or should do.



Ken

 

[Lordbob75]

Just to point out, MOST laptops have their graphics cards permanently built into the motherboards, so there is no way to change them.

As for the error, you should try updating your graphics drivers and directx.

~Lordbob

 

[bobkn]

Is it really "1x32 fp render target issue"?

Probably hardware; the 7000m may lack a feature required by the game.

Most laptop PCs don't have discrete graphics cards. I think that your Acer isn't one of the rare (large, heavy, expensive) exceptions.

 

[Lordbob75]

Is it really "1x32 fp render target issue"?

Probably hardware; the 7000m may lack a feature required by the game.

Most laptop PCs don't have discrete graphics cards. I think that your Acer isn't one of the rare (large, heavy, expensive) exceptions.

That would be the final answer yes. I am fairly certain that Arkham Asylum WONT run on a 7 series...

~Lordbob

 

[stormy13]

That would be the final answer yes. I am fairly certain that Arkham Asylum WONT run on a 7 series...

~Lordbob

Unfortunately you are correct. Specs for that game,

Batman Arkham Asylum System Requirements ~ Pc Games Requirements,Trailers,Screenshots,Cheats,Trainers

and specs and a couple of benchmarks for that video chip,

Notebookcheck: NVIDIA GeForce 7000M

smartman, unfortunately if you want to play games you're going to have to look at either a new laptop, or better a desktop.

 

[smartman]

Are you guys 100% sure I couldn't change it? Wouldn't it be possible if I soldered a new chip to the mobo?

 

[Tews]

Im not sure that is even possible, and you would more than likely fry your board trying to do so...

 

[fishnbanjo]

Are you guys 100% sure I couldn't change it? Wouldn't it be possible if I soldered a new chip to the mobo?

You can change IC's on your mobo that are in an IC Socket, tying to desolder anything on that board that is not soldered topically, i.e. top of board solder joint and underside of board solder joint would render the board useless since most of today's board architecture is 4, 6 and 8 layers deep meaning there are solder connections sandwiched between the layers. These connections are done during manufacture on expensive wave soldering machines and no common soldering iron with a human on the other end of it could possibly do this function.

You would need to purchase a mobo that could fit your laptop by your manufaturer and the cost would more than likely be beyond what a new laptop would cost factoring in the cost of the video card if, in fact, there were an upgrade mobo/video card combo available and it would fit your current laptop footprint. If you do decide to purchase a new laptop it might be in your best interest to know up front if it has onboard only video, or like the Alienware laptops both onboard for battery use and upgradable video card(s) available in SLi (nVidia) and CrossFireX (ATi).

 

[bobkn]

Are you guys 100% sure I couldn't change it? Wouldn't it be possible if I soldered a new chip to the mobo?

Possible? It's difficult to say that something is impossible.

Have you done a lot of repair of multi-layer PC boards, with flow-soldered surface mount components? (I use terms that I recall from 35 years ago. I imagine the technology has changed a little since then.) Are you prepared to pay a repair tech more to do that for you than a new laptop would cost?

I understand buyer's remorse, but it's time to get real.

 

[smartman]

I understand buyer's remorse, but it's time to get real.

Thanks, Anyways... I guess I'm just gonna buy a console...
Anybody know where I could get a cheap, possibly used PS3, online or in Toronto?

 

[Lordbob75]

I understand buyer's remorse, but it's time to get real.

Thanks, Anyways... I guess I'm just gonna buy a console...
Anybody know where I could get a cheap, possibly used PS3, online or in Toronto?

Ebay, Amazon...

~Lordbob

 

[dottorepc]

Wake up! Maybe the card is not soldered on the MOB!

In Acer Aspire 5520 the GPU card is additional. There is a slot and in this slot there is a card. In my case this is GeForce 8600M GS. You can change it.

Maybe in older models you have not got this slot. You need to check it before buy anything!

Check this picture out!

 

[bobkn]

In Acer Aspire 5520 the GPU card is additional. There is a slot and in this slot there is a card. In my case this is GeForce 8600M GS. You can change it.

Maybe in older models you have not got this slot. You need to check it before buy anything!

Check this picture out!

That'd be nice.

The link that you provide requires a login, unfortunately.

I checked eBay. The 5520 seems to use discrete graphics cards. I See an nVidia 8400m offered for sale. I'm not sure how good it is, but I guess that it's a DX10 card.

My apologies. I was not only harsh in my advice, but I was probably wrong as well.

 

[stormy13]

Can it be done? yes it can. Can it be done easily? No it can't.

First off you have to have a laptop that the GPU is socketed and not soldered. Then you have to actually find one, and you can't just walk into any computer shop (or online for that matter) and buy a laptop video card, short of finding a likely used one on ebay. Next is any thermal considerations as a faster more powerful card can and will generate more heat, and it is unlikely that the laptop can cope with it.

I See an nVidia 8400m offered for sale. I'm not sure how good it is

Not very. It was slower than the desktop equivalent 8400 GS. I also wouldn't put to much faith in many (or any) of the Nvidia 8400/8600m series for laptop GPU's; just look up the Nvidia bumpgate problem.

 

[dottorepc]

In Acer Aspire 5520 the GPU card is additional. There is a slot and in this slot there is a card. In my case this is GeForce 8600M GS. You can change it.

Maybe in older models you have not got this slot. You need to check it before buy anything!

Check this picture out!

That'd be nice.

The link that you provide requires a login, unfortunately.

I checked eBay. The 5520 seems to use discrete graphics cards. I See an nVidia 8400m offered for sale. I'm not sure how good it is, but I guess that it's a DX10 card.

My apologies. I was not only harsh in my advice, but I was probably wrong as well.

Sorry for the link, I registered myself it is worthy because of the story details (Acer Aspire 5520 UPGREDES!! Yes MXM II), but here is the picture what actually I did this afternoon:

On the left upper side you can see the card below the cooler sink. You can see the white slot also. And here is the card:

In my case this is a GF8600M GS, not so weak, but there are others which could be nice as well: GF8600M GT, GF9650M GT, GF9300GS, GF9500GS, GF9600GS

Also there are some ATI Radeon card: HD3470, HD3650, HD4570, HD4650

I am at this point right now. If I can find something similar, it could be around USD100. If I want something stronger, could be USD200-300. It is not worthy (we are talking about a4-5 years old lappy) I think but if someone wants to do it he/she can I am sure.