Is it possible to change

[Josef86]

My laptop has a a Geforce Go 7600 256mb dedicated graphics card. Is it possible to change it out for a different one later on? I don't plan on it anytime soon. I was just wondering if it is possible. All pictures that i can find seem to show it as a card, and not part of a motherboard.

[jlreich]

Yes that is a dedicated video card. And yes technically it can be replaced. But what it can be replaced with will depend on what your laptop manufacturer offers for that model. That may very well be the best video card they offer for that model. And the cost will most likely be prohibitive.

Say you can upgrade to a Go 7800 (for example), you may have to consider would it be worthwhile to pay maybe $200+ (a rough guess) for such a small upgrade? And that's if you can install it yourself. ;)

Laptops are not really meant for swapping out parts like desktops are. The ones that are designed for this are very expensive at $3000-$5000. :eek:

As a side note to this, I don't think mobile video cards are standard at all. I think the connector is standard, but the shape and size seems to be different in different model that I have worked on. Sized and shaped to fit in a particular chassis. So I don't think a video card from the same manufacturer but a different model will work.

Hmm, or is it just the heatsink that is like that?? I guess I will have to pay more attention from now on. :p I will have to take closer look at the laptops I work on this week that have dedicated video cards. ;)

[Josef86]

okay thanks

[Josef86]

Anyone else know anything about this? I was doing some searching, and I have found that the go 7600 and go 7900 (the laptop ones) look very much the same other then the the chip. I don't know if its standard or not.

[PrntRhd]

I personally cannot add anything to the advice jlreich already posted, he fixes laptops and PCs for a contractor for Dell & Gateway.
Can you post your make/model?

[jlreich]

Yes post your make and model. That's the easiest way to find out what your options are.

I only had a couple laptops with dedicated video (most don't) this week and didn't think to look closer at them. :( My best guess would be the PCB is more or less standard and can be swapped out if you swapped to the proper heatsink for a particular model. I will look into it more though...

EDIT - Looking through some of the service manuals for several Dell models I can say it appears as though some of the video cards are interchangeable from model to model. For instance the card for the Inspiron 9400 and E1705 is the same as the XPS M1710 and Precision M90. But this is because they all share the same motherboard. The PCB is shaped different for other motherboard/chassis and would not fit.

I would assume for other manufacturers it is pretty much the same deal. The PCB is made specifically to fit in a particular chassis. This chassis may be used for several different models offering different video card options. But you are stuck with whatever video options they have had made for that chassis.

[Josef86]

Its a HEL80. Not to sure who makes it., I think compel (but they make so many laptops for so many different big name brands I don't like to use the name compel). I believe the card (go 7600)that I have in it is the largest they offerened for this model.

- Looking through some of the service manuals for several Dell models I can say it appears as though some of the video cards are interchangeable from model to model. For instance the card for the Inspiron 9400 and E1705 is the same as the XPS M1710 and Precision M90. But this is because they all share the same motherboard. The PCB is shaped different for other motherboard/chassis and would not fit.

What you are talking about here in the first few lines is what got me started on this. But I did not look to deeply into it. I just noticed that some laptops had more then one video card option. While another higher end model offerend one of the lower end model cards, plus an even better one as an option.

[Josef86]

I am pretty impressed by the GO 7600. I have been an ati fan for a while. That fact I can play Fear on high settings with out problems is pretty cool. I am only using 4xaa(The xbox 360 uses 4xaa. Since its what I like to use as my comparison 4xaa is what I roll with).

[Josef86]

okay, i know for sure my notebook is a compal HEL80.

[jlreich]

The spec sheet for the EL80 series list only the G73 GPU. Which, as far as I know, is only used for up to the 7600.

If you are happy with then I wouldn't worry about the future right now. When it's time that you are no longer happy with it it will probably be time for a new laptop altogether. Which is usually the way with laptops.

[Josef86]

LOL, that is probly true. Its a a decent laptop and performs well, and I only have half the ram it could take.

[Josef86]

It would look like a larger card will and can fit in my chaisse.

But, and this is the bit but power requiremnents for next set up is a good deal different.

I did not think about it until I was helping my freind pick out parts for this pc. I wa slike okay I would recommend a 700w powersupply, it should help out with that Nvidia........then it hit me.

So even if the part does fit it still would not work because it wants to draw more power then its able to get. And there is the answer.

[jlreich]

So even if the part does fit it still would not work because it wants to draw more power then its able to get.
Not necessarily. Mobile video cards are made to draw as little power as possible. I wouldn't hesitate to throw in a Go7900 in a machine that can take Go7600. And since the power comes from the adapter all you have to do if it does need more power is to get a better power adapter. Although they are expensive. But we are talking possibilities.

The mobile world is definitely different from desktops.

[Josef86]

That is true. If I did not have so much time on my hands at work I don't think I would care as much as I do.......