Search
Forum Home | Login
ThatNewGuy
ThatNewGuy
Join Date 02/2006
0

Notebook graphics cards are scarce!

Either that, or I'm an idiot...

March 15, 2006 4:06:47 PM from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
I have for the past month been looking for a upgraded graphics card for my Thinkpad G41. So far, I have looked at nVidia GeForce Go 6600 and ATI Mobility Radeon x700 series, but everytime I search for a specific product either on the manufacturer's web page or even a third party page such as Amazon or Best Buy, I cannot find any cards for notebooks but only ones for desktops. Any of you all know of any links that can take me a site that I can purchse from? It would save me some stress and interent woes.

Cheers.
Locked Post
Search this post
Advanced Search
Subscription Options
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
ThatNewGuy
Ostsol
Join Date 02/2006
+1
Reply #1 March 15, 2006 4:14:47 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
Video cards for laptops are often tightly integrated with the motherboard. In general, you won't find any upgrades except perhaps though the labtop manufacturer. Even then I'm not so sure.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
ThatNewGuy
ThatNewGuy
Join Date 02/2006
0
Reply #2 March 15, 2006 4:18:55 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
Well, I contacted the manufacturer of my notebook, which is IBM, and they have told me that the cards would be compatible with my notebook. I'm completely new to this, so any ideas about what to do would be welcomed.

Cheers.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
ThatNewGuy
Gui-Jay
Join Date 04/2003
0
Reply #3 March 15, 2006 4:19:54 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
most laptop graphic cards are installed as OEM by the manufacturer.

I suggest looking up where you bought your laptop, see if they can get one and install it.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
ThatNewGuy
DevonR
Join Date 03/2006
0
Reply #4 March 15, 2006 4:23:33 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
99% of laptops cannot have their graphics cards updated. IBM doesn't even make laptops anymore, they sold their laptop business to a company called Lenovo in 2004. Did you buy your laptop before or after Lenovo took over IBM's PC business?
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
ThatNewGuy
ThatNewGuy
Join Date 02/2006
0
Reply #5 March 15, 2006 4:28:44 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
Oh yeah, I mean Lenovo. Sorry about the confusion.

Cheers.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
ThatNewGuy
exterous
Join Date 05/2003
0
Reply #6 March 15, 2006 4:48:38 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
As someone who does PC repair work for Circuit City I will tell you that some laptops are easy to upgrade, about as hard as changing your laptop ram (assuming the ram is not located under the keyboard and a piece of metal thats soddered to the motherboard) but others will have the graphics card soddered and basically cannot be upgraded without risking damage to the mobo. There really isn't anyother way to find out but to remove the keyboard and/or case. I have found that manufacturers are often wrong about whether the card is removeable or not
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
ThatNewGuy
Achillus
Join Date 07/2003
+3
Reply #7 March 15, 2006 5:21:00 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
You can't really upgrade graphics card for laptops. There are some, but IBM line is for sure not upgradable in most part. The graphic chip in most laptops are soldered in. Its similar to a built in graphics card in motherboards. The only option is to replace the motherboard for that laptop and your better off buying a new laptop.

One option you may try is a USB 2.0 graphic card. I've only seen that once, but you can try googling it. (I hate google, but damn, its so useful)
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
View all recent posts
Mark all posts as read Delete cookies created by the forum Return to Top
Stardock Forums v        Server Load Time:   Page Render Time:
About us | Contacts | Privacy Statement | Register
©1995-2025 Stardock Entertainment. Galactic Civilizations is a registered trademark of Stardock Entertainment. Steam and the Steam logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Valve Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Bank Gothic is a trademark of MyFonts and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All rights reserved.