Video Card

[General_Hodge_Podge]

i bought a lap top about a year and a half ago (dell). i had no plans of using it for gaming so at the time there was no issue buying one with a terrible video card (one that is part of the motherboard).

today, i would like to start gaming more on the lap top, but am finding there is tremendous lag with most games. i've moved all the video setting to the lowest option and this works for some games but not others.

i think my options are:

1. sell lap top and then buy a lap top with a real video card
2. try to update the video card

i would prefer #2 as this will be much cheaper, but from what i've read this can be a real pain.

questions:
1. anyone installed a video card into a sh1tty lap top with any success?
2. is there such a thing as an "external" video card?

thanks in advance for your help!

[sloppyjoe]

In general, you can't upgrade a video card on a laptop. Usually just RAM, hard drive, and battery.

[DyalDragon]

Originally Posted by sloppyjoe

In general, you can't upgrade a video card on a laptop. Usually just RAM, hard drive, and battery.

Laptop video cards are almost always integrated. You could possibly replace the whole motherboard, but that would probably cost as much as a new laptop...

With Black Friday just around the corner, you should really consider replacing the laptop with one of the special deals. Although that might require standing in line at Wal-Mart/Target at midnight

[ldancer911]

yeah, from what I know (which isn't a lot) most laptops video cards are soldered to the motherboard and you aren't going to be able to change it.

I didn't think external video cards were really for gaming...mainly for duel monitor support and those types of things.

[General_Hodge_Podge]

thanks for the feedback.

upgrade doesn't sound viable...as i was afraid of.

any dissenting opinions out there?

[no driver]

I agree that your best route is probably a new computer but

Originally Posted by General_Hodge_Podge

2. is there such a thing as an "external" video card?

It has been done: http://hackaday.com/2011/10/19/beefi...-external-gpu/

[tgadd]

The external video card works and you can get some nicer ones to support gaming, but you'll need an external monitor, and then keyboard and mouse (laptop keyboard will get int he way)

Might as well buy a desktop and set it up at home and keep your current laptop for on the go. If you're going to spend $700 (amount for a laptop with video card) you're better off getting a desktop.

[General_Hodge_Podge]

Originally Posted by no driver

I agree that your best route is probably a new computer but


It has been done: http://hackaday.com/2011/10/19/beefi...-external-gpu/

thanks! after reading, i found this:

That said, it really does take the portability factor of your notebook down to about zero.

this defeats the purpose of having a lap top...so sounds like a new lap top it is...

[General_Hodge_Podge]

Originally Posted by tgadd

The external video card works and you can get some nicer ones to support gaming, but you'll need an external monitor, and then keyboard and mouse (laptop keyboard will get int he way)

Might as well buy a desktop and set it up at home and keep your current laptop for on the go. If you're going to spend $700 (amount for a laptop with video card) you're better off getting a desktop.

i think i'm willing to spend the extra $ so i won't have to be chained to my desk.

i think i know the answer but might as well ask:

could i remote into a desktop with a quality video card from my lap top...or would the remoting in create a its own lag?

[no driver]

I doubt a remote connection would produce a satisfactory gaming experience. The VNC clients I use to control my HTPC are pretty laggy, and all I'm trying to do is get to some menu or program that can't be navigated with a remote control.