NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 1gb replacement?

[robertdrumm]

My computer currently has the NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M and i was wondering if anyone knows of a different graphics card that can be put in place instead? I need a graphics card geared more towards 3D animation (CAD)?

 

[tviceman]

Is this a notebook computer you are talking about or an all-in-one PC? Replacing a mobile graphics card is tricky business.

 

[robertdrumm]

its a notebook. The rest of the computer is a great set up for me so i really want to just switch out the graphics card.

 

[tviceman]

Well like I said, it would be really tricky, if nothing short of adverse. That chassis and it's cooling system was designed around the power envelope of the gt650m. The next step up, and probably the highest option you could use in your chassis, would be the gtx 660m. They're both based off the same exact GPU (GK107), but the gtx 660m runs at a slightly higher core frequency.

You can review the specs here:

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/notebook-gpus/geforce-gt-650m/specifications
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/notebook-gpus/geforce-gtx-660m/specifications

As far as finding a gtx 660m to buy on it's own... good luck! That will be very hard, and likely, pretty expensive. On top of that, you're looking at a meager 15% performance improvement. In other words, the time, effort, and cost to do what you want would not be worth it. I'd say your best bet would be to sell the laptop (as a gaming solution, the gt650m does a good job) and purchase a new laptop with a more powerful mobile GPU (like the gtx675m, hd7970m, or the ultra fast and expensive gtx680m).

 

[EliteRetard]

...or the ultra expensive and fast gtx680m).

FTFY

 

[robertdrumm]

i have decided to return the laptop. does anyone know a a similar set up but with graphics card more dedicated towards 3d animation?

 

[tviceman]

Aren't Nvidia's Quadro line of GPU's geared towards more professional work like what you are looking for? I am not entirely sure, but I'm fairly sure. Do a google search for nvidia quadro notebooks and that should give you a good starting point.

 

[SithSolo1]

Look at Dells Precision line of laptops with FirePro and Quadro GPUs. http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/precision-laptops.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&~ck=mn

For the M4600 line the FirePro M5950 and the Quadro 1000M should be similar with the M5950 being slightly better for games and the 1000M being slightly better in 3D modeling. The 2000M being better than both.

If you can swing the M6600 line the FirePro M8900 is the best bang for the buck card they offer by far and should have similar performance in 3D modelling to the Quadro 3000M while being cheaper. The Quadro 4000 and 5010 are booth better but with very steep increases in price.

Also make sure you get at least 4GB of ram(thought 8gb would be better) and if you can afford the Upgrade to the Ultrasharp IPS panels(~$400 upgrade), do it.

Another line to look at is the Lenovo Thinkpad W series http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/c...A91D590D8749C5

 

[robertdrumm]

thanks for the help guys.