Is there anyway to upgrade my video card (if my laptop does have one) in my laptop? I heard some laptops come with a GPU of some sort already built into the motherboard itself. If you can replace it, is it costly? Thanks.

I have a Sony Viao. It is one of the older models. Looks sorta like the FX series that are out right now. It's a PIII 650 Mhz. Not sure what it came with because I got it through an "OEM" deal.

Thanks again.

Bryan

 

It's not even worth the trouble. Most laptops have video built in to the motherboard so you would have to replace the whole thing. As for how difficult that may be let's just say there is a reason why they seal them so well.

 

Generally not - just sell it and get a new one .

 

If there is a way to upgrade it, I'd like to know

Seriously, I can't imagine that you could. Laptops are generally more expensive than desktops becasuse they contain more propriety system components in order to keep the weight, size, andheat down. This generally does not allow any leftover space for "slots" or upgrade ports. However, I did find that my IBM x20 does have something called a "mini pci" connector for changing out the network / modem device. It's the first one of those I've seen.

 

Generally the only things upgradeable on a laptop are memory and hard drive. If the shell is the same meaning same series I have swapped motherboards on them back in my old tech service days. But only as an experiment because I was bored. There are just so many screws and little connectors it's not worth the hassle.

 

Technically it is possible and could be very easy. Every laptop I have ever worked on the video card just plugs into the system board. I don't know if you would find a manufacturer willing to sell one though and they would need to have another card already designed for the laptop. For example with my Dell I could probably order the other optional video card availible and pop it in fairly quick.