can someone help me out?

shark.on.loan

Junior Member
Mar 12, 2010
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i have a toshiba satellite m505-s4940 with an extremley bad graphics card. a pair of them. as i type this, i am downloading fallout 3, a game to i have been looking forward to for quite a while, only to find that my graphics cards do not run it.
so, if anyone knows:
is it possible to switch graphic cards without completley destroying the motherboard or taking forever to switch out my cards.

in short, will a nvidia geforce 7200 run on my machine?

shark.on.loan

edit: i am asking, is there another slot in the computer for an extra card
 
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RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
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Welcome to AnandTech!

I am not sure what you meant a "pair of them" (laptops or graphics cards)? As far as I see, your laptop has
Graphics Engine* Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M

http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops/satellite/M500/M505-S4940

This is a very slow graphics card. Unfortunately I am not aware of how you can replace a graphics card on your laptop since it's integrated into the motherboard/chipset.

There have been external videocards in the past:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/vidock-expresscard-graphics,1933-3.html

Official Website for ViDock: http://www.villagetronic.com/vidock2/index.html

There is also this: http://www.magma.com/store/expressbox1.html

But I am not sure how reasonable these option are considering their price. I guess next time spend a little extra for a beefier gpu.
 
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jtisgeek

Senior member
Jan 26, 2010
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Yeah can't upgrade video on laptops look at saleing it and trade up to something nicer.
 

Madcatatlas

Golden Member
Feb 22, 2010
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Yeah can't upgrade video on laptops look at saleing it and trade up to something nicer.

The following comment wont help you in this particular case, but is ment as advice for future purchases.

Consider these things always when buying a new laptop and if you want it for multipurpose use:
CPU
GPU
System Memory
and Size (14"/15.4"/17" etc etc)

The harddrives are normally 200gb + anyway and you can always buy a standard replacement or additional one.
In many cases i would look at the GPU first, since laptop GPU normally are downclocked/etc and the CPUs are more than enough to handle anything you trow at them.
Make sure you buy a laptop with medium to upper tier GPU from the current generation.


Its a sad thing that the major GPU producing players (ATI, NVIDIA and INTEL) havent agreed on a standard for mobile graphics, there are some laptops which have some form of MXM (i belive) type of switchable mobile graphics solutions, but they are rare.
 

betasub

Platinum Member
Mar 22, 2006
2,677
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Most laptops are not designed for gaming, or the high power and cooling requirements of a gaming graphics card.
Most laptops do not have upgradable graphics, power, or cooling.
In short, unless you have an expensive specialised laptop, forget serious gaming - that's more suited to a desktop (far more affordable and upgradable).
 

santz

Golden Member
Feb 21, 2006
1,190
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In one sentence, No you cannot switch your video card from your current laptop model.

I was once stuck in your position and cursed myself about not knowing this b4 buying my laptop. The things you cannot change in the laptop are the CPU & Video card(GPU). All other things like-Ram, Hard drive and changeable.
 

slayernine

Senior member
Jul 23, 2007
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slayernine.com
I get so many customers that ask the same question. I really wish people would research more before buying a laptop.

Now as far as my advice to you, get a desktop. Laptops are not and continue not to be good platforms if you are looking for great gaming or 3D performance. Also 'get a desktop' is quite generalized as there are plenty of OEM desktops that also have horrible integrated graphics. Largely the best method to get a gaming desktop is to build it from parts or buy one designed specifically for that purpose.
 

Borealis7

Platinum Member
Oct 19, 2006
2,914
205
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excuse me, but "downloading Fallout 3"?

in any case, its not a very demanding game, i played it 1600x1200 on my old x1950Pro 256MB. laptops should be able to handle it on their low res and not at maximum detail.