laptop video card/memory upgrade???

[thirddays]

so i have figured out a few things from here and now im having one other issue....

i have a laptop, compaq presario v2000, with 1.6 gig cpu and 512, ram. and a ati xpress 200m 128 meg video card. in this laptop and i was wondering since it's shared so it leaves me with about 382, megs of ram. i was wondering if i can updgrade the video card and ram? i know i can go up to 2 gigs of ram in this computer, but im also wondering like If i go up say i got about 1 gig then the video card will subract 128 from that...and it should leave me with about 900 megs or something? right?

also im pretty intrestet in gamings and my desktop is so outdated that this ties in with what i said about is it possible to upgrade video cards in this laptop....i think maybe memory? i played half life 2 and it wasn't slow or anything it was pretty good just the movemnt was like a bit slower. then say half life the others...is that because of my computer or is that normal game play? Sorry if this is long im just very new to laptops..i haven't built a computer in about 4 years and so much has changed i have fallen in a draw with computing now...So if some one could please help me out i greatly apperciate it.

[jlreich]

Only the very high end laptops have the ability to add or swap out the video card. Sorry you are stuck with the onboard video. :( The only possible way is to send it in to the manufacturer and have them change the motherboard with one that has a dedicated video card. That would be so expensive you might as well buy a new laptop. :eek:

More ram will help with overall system performance though. :)

[thirddays]

ok thank you...i'm nnot reall big into laptops ive only had mine for a few months now

[runcool]

"The only possible way is to send it in to the manufacturer and have them change the motherboard with one that has a dedicated video card. "
the x200 IS A FREAKING dedicated video card. YOU DO have the option to install a new card on this notebook. however, they do not want you to know that. THE REASON I KNOW IS BECAUSE I USED TO WORK FOR THEM BUILDING NOTEBOOKS! difference between jlreich and I is that I am A+ cert, 4+ year degree, and worked for HP for two years.

[jlreich]

difference between jlreich and I is that I am A+ cert, 4+ year degree, and worked for HP for two years.
Pardon me! :eek: You assume too much. The only difference is you have worked for HP for two years. ;)

I will admit I was unaware it is a dedicated card. I am not familiar with that particular card and assumed it was onboard after reading this...
512, ram. and a ati xpress 200m 128 meg video card. in this laptop and i was wondering since it's shared so it leaves me with about 382, megs of ram

From that I will assume it uses some form of Hypermemory or the like although the VPU is dedicated?? And has no dedicated ram?? Sorry I am not going to bother looking it up right now... :rolleyes:

Also I would like to know if HP will sell you a compatible video card? And for how much, the price of a new laptop?

Assuming you can get one from HP or pick one up from a third party, is this something that can/should be done by an average user?

Would it be worth it considering the cost and difficulty?

BTW, welcome to the http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif forums runcool.

[mjc]

difference between jlreich and I is that I am A+ cert, 4+ year degree, and worked for HP for two years.

Big hairy deal...

You want to last around here?

Then check your attitiude at the door.

Personal agrandizement and blatant attacks on other members are one sure way to be shown that door, with a very quick boot...

[Laguna]

Pardon me! You assume too much. The only difference is you have worked for HP for two years.


Loved that come back.Had a good laugh at that one. :D

"The only possible way is to send it in to the manufacturer and have them change the motherboard with one that has a dedicated video card. "
the x200 IS A FREAKING dedicated video card. YOU DO have the option to install a new card on this notebook. however, they do not want you to know that. THE REASON I KNOW IS BECAUSE I USED TO WORK FOR THEM BUILDING NOTEBOOKS! difference between jlreich and I is that I am A+ cert, 4+ year degree, and worked for HP for two years.

Really?You don't type like you have even left kindergarden ;)


Anyway back on topic,
But on the note of Half Life.If you are talking about playing Half Life 2 then you are playing through steam.And trust me even top end video cards won't help you with that problem.Steam is probably the most un-stable program I have used.

A 128mb card should play HL2 without much problems.The ram upgrade should help a lot.And if you are like me and prefer Desktops then it might be better to start investing in a new Desktop.Games are better on them anyway and are much easier to play.And you won't have as much to worry about if you wanted to upgrade that.

[kcarey0013]

my v2000 came with 1024 ram and a card that ate 128, some ati one. Can i replace this card with any mobile ATI card if it truly is a dedicated one?