Ok, I hate sounding stupid but I know a little bit about desktops but I am kind of new to owning a laptop and I would like to upgrade the video card on my laptop but I realize this is a bit more complicated than changing one out on a desktop which I have done before...

First off, a really basic question, is it possible to even do this? I mean, is the video card on a laptop a seperate piece of hardware that can be replaced or is it more "integrated"? Second, if it can be replaced, how would I go about figuring out which one to get to make sure it fits in my laptop and are there any suggestions as to what I should get? Thanks.


(btw, I have a Dell Inspiron E1405-which I originally purchased just to have something small and lightweight to check email/mess around online but I know use it more than my desktop.)

2/18/2007 2:52:51 PM

even if you can (i havent checked on your model), it's not worth the price. sell what you have and get a better equipped laptop if you really need better video performance.

2/18/2007 3:26:27 PM

^pretty much sums it up

Almost all laptops have integrated video, name brand or not. Means you're gonna have to replace much more than you really need to. You can try to find the most beastly type of mobo, processor, and video card combo that particular type of laptop was produced with and replace, but usually its still pretty crappy and pain in the ass. Just save the money and put it into a desktop you can upgrade, or buy a laptop with an excellent video card so it'll last a while.

2/18/2007 8:39:06 PM

get a new macbook pro

2/18/2007 8:42:06 PM

higher end laptops have their graphic cards separate, but more like a daughter card. But don't think you can just get cards easy. You either have to go through your laptop manufacturer to buy the card (which is expensive and usually not worth it) or find a retailer that sells OEM parts. It's gotten a little bet easier now since ASUS' DIY laptops have been out on the market for a while now, but even then, they usually incorporate the gpu as barebone kits with the laptop shell.

I'm currently running a dell e1705 desktop replacement (not a laptop, its too big ) with a 7900gs 256 card in it. I could swap it out and replace it with the laptop gtx card, but at 400 bucks, its not worth it. Not sure if the 7600 turbo cache cards are integrated or separate cards.

2/19/2007 12:24:07 AM

Luckily any decision on whether to upgrade the laptop has already been made for you. The E1405 does not support a seperate graphics card and you're stuck with the integrated Intel 950 graphics.

[Edited on February 19, 2007 at 1:25 AM. Reason : ]

2/19/2007 1:24:40 AM