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Can I upgrade my integrated graphics card on my laptop?

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dacvak   11-05-2009 at 04:59:54 AM

I have a Gateway Laptop with an integrated Radeon HD 3200. I'd like to upgrade it, but I'm not sure if that's possible.

I'm very experienced in desktop hardware, but not so much when it comes to laptops. Any idea how to get started on this or if it's even possible?

Thanks!

~Dac

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Bronze Graphics badge EXT64   11-05-2009 at 05:05:52 AM

No, I'm afraid it isn't possible. The 3200 is an integrated (part of Northbridge) but even if it were a discrete laptop chip, often they are attached in (and you can't get the parts anyway). So, unfortunately no.

------------------------------ Phenom II X4 940 BE 3.0GHz - 1.25V > GA-MA790GP-DS4H > XFX ATI 4850 1GB > 4GB OCZ Platinum 1066MHz 5-5-5-15-2T > PCP&C 610W
Athlon II X2 250 3.0GHz > GA-MA770T-UD3P > Sapphire ATI 4650 512MB DDR3 > 4GB OCZ Platinum 1600MHz@1066MHz > XP/Win7 Enter 64
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megamanx00   11-05-2009 at 05:20:58 AM

No. You would have to replace the motherboard and there are only a few, if there are any at all, that would fit inside that casing. Basically if Gateway offers that same laptop with a dedicated GPU, then you would have to find out what model number that is and get the motherboard, as well as the cooling solution, for that model. You would need to take the entire laptop apart, replace the parts, and put it all back together carefully without breaking any of those darn little parts.

------------------------------ Playing X-Men Origins: Wolverine Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @3.24 Brisbane | GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 | 4GB Mushkin DDR2 1066 | Plextor 760A| 2x 3850 512M CF| WD 1TB Black| Fortron Blue Storm II 500W | APEVIA X-Dreamer Black | Win XP Pro & Vista Buisness 32bit
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dacvak   11-05-2009 at 05:47:32 AM

Ok. Thanks for the advice, guys. It handles L4D2 at lowest settings, so I guess I'm ok with it. =)

Reply to dacvak
CRosko42   11-05-2009 at 06:31:02 AM

Asus tried to market a USB graphics card setup.

Results were crap and it never made it to market if I recall correctly.

Save your money and build a desktop for gaming.

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