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A few video card questions

Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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System: Windows XP
Processor: 2.4GHz Intel Core Duo T8300
RAM: 2.00 GB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
Laptop Case: Micro Express JFL92

Hi, I have been having trouble with an overheating video card, but I would also like to upgrade it to a more powerful one (which i'm sure will overheat faster). I play a couple computer games that require a more powerful video card, because I have to play them at lowest video settings and it still overheats at times, which I'm sure is due to the cooling system.

I would like to know if anyone can help me figure out what kind of video card slot I have, and how installing additional cooling fans works. I would like it to be internal, but would it be much better to get an external cooling pad ($10-20 at electronic stores) to place my laptop on?

When I right-click on My Computer>Properties>Hardware tab>Device Manager>Display Adapters ('+' sign)>Right-Click NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT>Properties I find it tells me the video card location is PCI Slot 6 (PCI bus1, device 0, function 0). I have no idea what this means besides I have some sort of PCI slot. does this mean I have only a PCI and not PCI express etc.? Also, I cannot find the amount of VRAM that I have and cannot find anything on the internet about finding VRAM that works for me.

Thank you to the kind soul who is willing to answer any of these questions.

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Graphics card Authority

There's a very good chance that you do not have any VRAM. It may well be that the GPU shares the system memory with the CPU.

It's a very rare - and expensive - laptop that will let you upgrade the graphics system. You are pretty much stuck with whatever is built into the laptop.
Graphics card Expert

The Geforce 8600M GT is just onboard graphics. That mean's that it's part of your motherboard and not an actual card. There is no possibility to upgrade.
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Okay, thanks for the help, this all seems correct, but I may have found something interesting. I just put in my JFL92 Driver Disc/User Manual and looked at the manual to find some information on replacing the fan/graphics card. Now in this manual it claims my computer has a PCI-E slot right above my headphone/mic openings. I found this to be true, and I can push it in, which makes it spring outward, and through this slot I am supposed to be able to put in PCI-express cards (obviously after disabling my 8600M GT). However, when I popped it out, there was no card there, just the plastic dispenser(for lack of better word). I have no experience with PCI-E cards, so I don't know how big they are, but the only way one would fit in that slot is if it was 1/4" tall and about 2" wide.

Does anyone think it would be possible to put a card in there, and make it functional? It looks like I can upgrade the card, but I have to still keep the other video card in the motherboard.

Upon further investigation of what goes in this port, I'm finding lots of "mini wireless pci cards"...Clearly for wireless networks. Do PCI-express slots accomodate more than video cards? I'm beginning to think this slot is actually only for external wireless cards, though I have an internal already.

I would say what you popped out is similar to pcmcia slot.. may be called ci express. bt I don't think it would have the bandwidth required for graphics card... unless you paid over k for it.. i doubt you have this option.. I could however be wrong, but i dont think so..

What I'm understanding is that I can buy one of these Vidocks (large, external graphics "card") that has a "male component" that would fit into my female PCI slot? Yes, quite pricy, but if what I am understanding is true, it will be an option for me in the future. I'm sure I can control the temp of an external GPU much easier.
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