Is there some kind of set form factor for laptop video cards?

[fuzzybabybunny]

Say that you have a big desktop-replacement-style laptop (ie, lappies with space to spare, like the Lenovo Y510). Do the video cards that they use have a set form factor and connection so that you can update the video card in the future?

 

[dma0991]

Its called MXM. Typically found on higher end gaming laptops (Alienware, Asus ROG) but I doubt that its available for the Lenovo Y510, which is more likely to have a PCB mounted GPU since its more of a mid range gaming laptop. Its nice to have the feature to upgrade the mobile GPU but they tend to be very expensive when sold as a standalone upgrade.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I see. So even if you could upgrade.... You wouldn't just due to cost alone?

 

[dma0991]

Mobile GPUs are not mass produced items and its market is rather small, limited to only high end gaming laptops. Its availability is also scarce. Here are the expected price of the MXM slot GPUs. GTX780M MXM card alone can cost more than a mid range gaming laptop.

 

[TheStu]

There's also the consideration that with a desktop card, it's all self contained. You get the card AND the cooling solution. With most MXMs that I've seen, it's just the card. So you have to be very careful about the cooling requirements. And I don't know anything about the power requirements. It would make sense to me to have them all fit within a certain power spec, but I'm just a guy at his computer, not an engineer.

 

[corkyg]

Additionally, laptops are very different and somewhat proprietary. There is no standard construction or design. The Lenovo Y510 is an Ideapad that uses NVIDIA GT750 GPU, and it is not on the CRU (Customer Replaceable Unit) list. That list is found in Appendix B of the User Guide.