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External Graphics Card?

I know this sounds kinda silly but anyway, is it at all possible to have an external graphics card plugged into my laptop? I currently have a 230M (I know right) on my laptop and well, it sucks. Would I be able to have say a 660ti or something somehow working on my laptop? Presuming if it is possible I'll need a PSU?

Laptop model- Toshiba Satellite A500

GPU- nVidia 230m

CPU- P7450 Intel core duo @2.1 ghz
11 answers Last reply Best Answer
More about external graphics card
  1. External GPUs are somewhat different. I don't think you can just get any GPU and run it as an external, it has to be a special one. Example:

    http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/External_Graphics_Card/XG_Station/#specifications
  2. Short answer = No!

    Long answer = there are solutions available, but are not cost worthy for the performance!
  3. It is true, there is not really such a thing as an external graphics card. There are walk arounds, however. But they are very, very costly and for the cost of that… why not get this?
    http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Battalion_101_CX-7_Gaming_Laptop
  4. vileynye said:
    It is true, there is not really such a thing as an external graphics card. There are walk arounds, however. But they are very, very costly and for the cost of that… why not get this?
    http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Battalion_101_CX-7_Gaming_Laptop


    With integrated graphics? No...
  5. Quote:
    With integrated graphics? No...


    I was being mostly tongue in cheek.
  6. Best answer
    Okay so I feel bad that I didn’t actually give you any advice, so here you go. In order to get external graphics you’re going to need a passive PCI-e x16 to x1 adapter. As far as I’m aware you can only get that here:

    http://www.hwtools.net/#PCIe_Extender_go

    You are going to need a Power Supply to run the video card, a PCI card to connect the video card to and then all the necessary connectors/Cables. The Adapter its self runs about 100 dollars before shipping. I even found a little guide for you:

    http://www.techradar.com/us/news/computing-components/graphics-cards/how-to-make-an-external-laptop-graphics-adaptor-915616

    and a picture of the monstrosity it will become:

    http://blog.laptopmag.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Lucid-Thunderbolt-Graphics-.jpg

    Good luck, and Regards.
  7. vileynye said:
    Okay so I feel bad that I didn’t actually give you any advice, so here you go. In order to get external graphics you’re going to need a passive PCI-e x16 to x1 adapter. As far as I’m aware you can only get that here:

    http://www.hwtools.net/#PCIe_Extender_go

    You are going to need a Power Supply to run the video card, a PCI card to connect the video card to and then all the necessary connectors/Cables. The Adapter its self runs about 100 dollars before shipping. I even found a little guide for you:

    http://www.techradar.com/us/news/computing-components/graphics-cards/how-to-make-an-external-laptop-graphics-adaptor-915616

    and a picture of the monstrosity it will become:

    http://blog.laptopmag.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Lucid-Thunderbolt-Graphics-.jpg

    Good luck, and Regards.



    Thanks for the reply! I think I have some research to do! :D looks like I'll be able to do it though :)
  8. vileynye said:
    Okay so I feel bad that I didn’t actually give you any advice, so here you go. In order to get external graphics you’re going to need a passive PCI-e x16 to x1 adapter. As far as I’m aware you can only get that here:

    http://www.hwtools.net/#PCIe_Extender_go

    You are going to need a Power Supply to run the video card, a PCI card to connect the video card to and then all the necessary connectors/Cables. The Adapter its self runs about 100 dollars before shipping. I even found a little guide for you:

    http://www.techradar.com/us/news/computing-components/graphics-cards/how-to-make-an-external-laptop-graphics-adaptor-915616

    and a picture of the monstrosity it will become:

    http://blog.laptopmag.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Lucid-Thunderbolt-Graphics-.jpg

    Good luck, and Regards.



    Thanks for the reply! I think I have some research to do! :D looks like I'll be able to do it though :)
  9. vileynye said:
    Okay so I feel bad that I didn’t actually give you any advice, so here you go. In order to get external graphics you’re going to need a passive PCI-e x16 to x1 adapter. As far as I’m aware you can only get that here:

    http://www.hwtools.net/#PCIe_Extender_go

    You are going to need a Power Supply to run the video card, a PCI card to connect the video card to and then all the necessary connectors/Cables. The Adapter its self runs about 100 dollars before shipping. I even found a little guide for you:

    http://www.techradar.com/us/news/computing-components/graphics-cards/how-to-make-an-external-laptop-graphics-adaptor-915616

    and a picture of the monstrosity it will become:

    http://blog.laptopmag.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Lucid-Thunderbolt-Graphics-.jpg

    Good luck, and Regards.



    Thanks for the reply! I think I have some research to do! :D looks like I'll be able to do it though :)
  10. ***, website is being a complete derp :/ have fun with your 3 replies I guess :/
  11. Best answer selected by Flyinglentil.
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