intergated video on laptops

[Gibson486]

I was looking teh the specs for the various intel 915 chipsets. The 915GM says it can either have discrete graphics or onboard. Since most come with board, you think they have disabled the discrete graphics option? You thin kit is possible to disable onboard graphics in lieu of discrete?

 

[fbrdphreak]

915GM has the option of a mfr using discrete graphics, but then you're adding discrete graphics with integrated on board; that will increase costs, size, heat, and power consumption so no one does it. If it has discrete graphics, it will have the 915PM chipset.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
915GM has the option of a mfr using discrete graphics, but then you're adding discrete graphics with integrated on board; that will increase costs, size, heat, and power consumption so no one does it. If it has discrete graphics, it will have the 915PM chipset.

I know that part, but I wanted to know if you could add it on your self if the laptop only came with the integrated graphics.

 

[lazybum131]

That would only be possible if the laptop's motherboard had an empty slot for a MXM (Nvidia) or AXIOM (ATI) or proprietary video card module. I doubt there's any laptop on the market like that. Laptops that have options between integrated and dedicated usually have different motherboards.

The closest thing might be the Alienware m5500 that's built on a Uniwill 259EN3 as the standard model only comes with integrated graphics. But more likely the integrated graphics one is actually based on the 259EI3 that only has integrated graphics.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: lazybum131
That would only be possible if the laptop's motherboard had an empty slot for a MXM (Nvidia) or AXIOM (ATI) or proprietary video card module. I doubt there's any laptop on the market like that. Laptops that have options between integrated and dedicated usually have different motherboards.

The closest thing might be the Alienware m5500 that's built on a Uniwill 259EN3 as the standard model only comes with integrated graphics. But more likely the integrated graphics one is actually based on the 259EI3 that only has integrated graphics.

I know there are 3 versions to chooose from that use the 915 chipset. According to the intel website, the GMS only has onboard video, but it cannot take the P-M's with a 533 Mhz FSB. That variation only has onboard video. If you have a P-M with a 533Mhz FSB, your options are the GM or the PM versions of the board. The PM version is discrete only, while the GM had Discrete AND onboard video.

I did a little snooping around, and I found lots of OEMs use the GM version as opposed to the GMS. This makes sense, I suppose, since they only have to buy one variation in bulk. If I were to buy one of these 915GM laptops, do you think they would do anything to prohibit the use of the slot for a discrete card?

 

[fbrdphreak]

The thing that will prohibit you is the fact that mfrs are not going to build in the capability to add a video card into a machine not designed to use it.

Even if the slot were physically there, which it won't be, you have to contend with space issues, power consumption, and heat dissipation.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
The thing that will prohibit you is the fact that mfrs are not going to build in the capability to add a video card into a machine not designed to use it.

Even if the slot were physically there, which it won't be, you have to contend with space issues, power consumption, and heat dissipation.

I thought the slot was already built in? The GM version has the PCI-E on the board. I know one manufatcure than uses the GM and chipset and lets you choose between the discrete and onboard. The Sony Laptops use the same exact chipset accross the board on their new lines. One model even lets you add the discrete videocard if you get 512 MB of RAM.