upgrading graphics card, need advice

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › upgrading graphics card, need advice

MsNomer

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#12952 15-Apr-2007 16:12

Hi, I could use some expert-ness advice on upgrading the graphics card on my laptop. I'm just trying to make it last a few more years and... well, I'd like to play Oblivion too. I've already had to buy an upgrade of RAM just to keep up with earlier games.

Currently I have Windows XP on a Dell Latitude D600. The card that came with it is the ATI Mobile Radeon 9000, and I think it's a PCI port but not 100% sure. I've tried all the upgrading tricks for the drivers posted here, but I still get a white haze over everything in-game and then ultimately the program crashes. The card has lasted for a good while now, more than two years of abuse, but I'm thinking it's at its limits here.

I've tried doing some research, but there's a couple questions that keep popping up. Do I need to use something specifically designed for this laptop? Can it even be replaced? How much is this going to hurt my checkbook?

Spend fifty dollars on a game and then even more to be able to play it... story of my life!

I appreciate any help, even if it's just a nudge in the right direction. Thanks in advance!

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
8476 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#67158 15-Apr-2007 16:34

typically it is not possible to upgrade graphics cards in laptops, except on some select (ie: very expensive) units.

MsNomer

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#67181 16-Apr-2007 02:31

Arg! Not really what I was hoping to hear. I bought it through my uni, and I seriously doubt they'd pitch for anything expensive. So, very likely the only way I'm getting a new graphics card is through a new computer? >_< Ouch.

The irony of this is I also had to shelve Morrowind for about a year until I got my laptop. Thanks, Bethesda.

And a far less sarcastic "thanks" to you for your help! Saved me the headache of looking for something that isn't there. Just have to start pinching pennies even tighter.

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
8476 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#67183 16-Apr-2007 08:18

Yeah, its a pain, its one of the tradeoffs to get a computer and LCD and battery packed into a space 1/5th the size of a desktop case.

Pretty good value for money, but aside from the memory and hard drive, you should, in most cases, consider a laptop non-upgradeable.

Welcome to Geekzone!

FatTofu

91 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#67258 16-Apr-2007 17:21

I've been thinking about upgrading my graphics card too. I have a Dell Ispiron 8600 with a ati mobility radeon 9600 pro was just wondering if the 9700 or 9800 would be able to replace it? This website http://repair4laptop.org/disassembly_dell.html seems to be quite useful and it doesn't look too difficult to replace the card, just got to find one that would fit. Does anyone know if anyone in NZ sells notebook graphics cards or the rough price of them? I suppose I could always call Dell and see if they have any spare parts. I've had it for a couple of years now so it's not under warranty and I'm thinking about building a desktop but don't have the money yet so if a replacement card isn't too expensive it could be a quick fix for the time being.

FatTofu

91 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#67259 16-Apr-2007 17:35

It's OK I answered my own questions by looking here http://www.bay-wolf.com/videoupgrade.htm it appears that the card I have is the best one it can have. Hope I'm wrong, would be nice to upgrade. Oh and MsNomer, your model apparrently can't be upgraded unfortunately

Latitude D600
This model can not be upgraded. The video chip is soldered directly to the motherboard.

weblordpepe

460 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#67915 20-Apr-2007 19:42

Time to get out the soldering iron!!

I reckon we should bring back the days of soldering more cache memory on the motherboard to speed up the CPU.