Where can I get a notebook video card???

[alexruiz]

I don't know if this is right forums, but in case it isn't I would ask kindly our moderators to move it

Does anyone know if I can get a video card for notebook somewhere. In this case, how about a mobility radeon 9000 or Geforce 4 go......

Thanks for the answers.

Alex

 

[Derango]

What notebook do you have now? Depending on the notebook, there's a good chance its not upgradable.

 

[MrBond]

*Most* laptops do not have user upgradable video cards. Certain models do though, so what notebook model/brand are you trying to upgrade?

 

[alexruiz]

I am planning on getting either this one Compaq Presario 900
or this one Sony VAIO NVR23

The compaq has the integrated radeon 7000 in the ATI's IGP 320, but the sony has a GeForce 4 Go 420 with 32 MB......

Thanks again.

 

[Derango]

I don't think either one of those laptops can be upgraded to a new video card.

 

[corkyg]

Derango has it right - both of those laptops (like most all laptops) do not have video CARDS - they have the video chips embedded or in modules on the motherboard. Laptops have very few user upgradeable options - HDD, memory, and some modular drives that can be swapped. Laptops are highly proprietary. What you do is buy the laptop with the video module that you want.

 

[alexruiz]

Originally posted by: corky-g
Derango has it right - both of those laptops (like most all laptops) do not have video CARDS - they have the video chips embedded or in modules on the motherboard. Laptops have very few user upgradeable options - HDD, memory, and some modular drives that can be swapped. Laptops are highly proprietary. What you do is buy the laptop with the video module that you want.

You got my point, and maybe I failed to explain it better. The chips are emmbedded if the video is integrated (northbridge). However, if they have "modules" for the discrete "video card" maybe I could swap it, as I expect it to be placed in a socket, not soldered directly to the PCB of the motherboard..... Maybe I need to open a laptop.

Thanks

 

[igowerf]

I know for the Dell Inspiron 8000 series, you can buy video card upgrades from Dell Spare Parts. You'll also need a BIOS update to get the new working with your system.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: alexruiz

You got my point, and maybe I failed to explain it better. The chips are emmbedded if the video is integrated (northbridge). However, if they have "modules" for the discrete "video card" maybe I could swap it, as I expect it to be placed in a socket, not soldered directly to the PCB of the motherboard..... Maybe I need to open a laptop.

Thanks

Maybe we failed to explain it better . . . it is IMPOSSIBLE to upgrade a notebook's video unless it was designed be upgraded (like the Dell 8000 series).

 

[alexruiz]

Thanks for the answers guys.....

apoppin, relax man.... I understand your point about the upgrade path in some notebooks.... I understand also that laptop components are highly proprietary to each brand.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: alexruiz
Thanks for the answers guys.....

apoppin, relax man.... I understand your point about the upgrade path in some notebooks.... I understand also that laptop components are highly proprietary to each brand.

It's worse than that -- 90%+ of notebook models have non-upgradeable video. The Dell 8xxx and maybe the newest 4xxx are the only upgradeable models I know of.

Every HP, IBM, Toshiba, Gateway, ASUS model I'm familiar with is not upgradeable.

[P.S.] Also, even if a notebook model offers a choice of video (ATI vs nVidia etc) that might just mean they make two different, non-upgradeable motherboards for that model.