External Graphics Card?

[FlyingLentil]

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

 

[auntarie]

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

 

[Guest]

Short answer = No!

Long answer = there are solutions available, but are not cost worthy for the performance!

 

[vileynye]

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

 

[auntarie]

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...

 

[vileynye]

With integrated graphics? No...

I was being mostly tongue in cheek.

 

[vileynye]

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.

 

[FlyingLentil]

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! looks like I'll be able to do it though

 

[FlyingLentil]

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! looks like I'll be able to do it though

 

[FlyingLentil]

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! looks like I'll be able to do it though

 

[FlyingLentil]

***, website is being a complete derp :/ have fun with your 3 replies I guess :/

 

[FlyingLentil]

Best answer selected by Flyinglentil.