Author Topic: Laptop Video cards. (Read 942 times)

streetstang · « **on:** December 19, 2004, 09:32:40 AM »

Ok, well I've built lots of desktops now. There is nothing to it. I've always wanted to play around and try to juice up one of my laptops. I've got this Dell Inspiron 8100. Its ok, for a dell. Always got the job done. P3 1.2 Ghz, 512 ram, but the one bottle kneck is the 16mb vid card its got. The system memory picks up alot where the vid card falls off but I'd really like to replace the video card with something better.

I've found an ATI Mobil 64mb card. Its as fast as you can go with this laptop model.

Have any of you ever cracked open a laptop to replace anything internal? I'm talking something along the lines of a video card, memory, ect.

Just trying to figure out what I' should expect when I do thats all.

Thanks.

Morph.

United · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2004, 11:45:07 AM »

I took one apart and put it back together. I didn't know anything about it, but it works still.

Laptops are a lot different inside than desktops. It seems that everything is directly connected to the motherboard, so you must remove everything to get the motherboard out. Also, the motherboard (at least on mine anyways) covers the entire inside of the laptop, so if you want to go under the motherboard, you must remove it completely.

Its a little more difficult than a desktop, but not impossible.

SNO · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2004, 11:47:37 AM »

I replaced the internal mb fan on wifes dell 8100, it is not that bad but everything comes out in layers and the fan was the first thing put in and so it was the last thing to get to. Lotsa little pieces and making sure to watch for all the little tabs and such so you don't break anything on disassembly.

RTO · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2004, 11:44:52 PM »

check these out morph. I have an I8200, replaced the 32 MB vid vard for a 64MB. Also recently upgraded my RAM adding 512 for total of 768 now. After using the links below the intimidation of opening up the puter and fooling with it was unfounded. I would not hesitate one second with a desk top and now am not too worried about laptops either. But then the task quantifies the hazards.

used this one for vid card replacement:
http://www.bay-wolf.com/geforce4-1.htm

this was just good to know crap:
http://www.geocities.com/thebithead/I8200FAQ.htm#Memory

I'll go back and find the one for memory i didn't save the link. Thats how easy it was.

RLTW

RTO · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2004, 10:11:34 AM »

here is the link that shows how to upgrade memory in laptop.

http://www.computermemoryupgrade.net/installing-laptop-memory.html

GL hope these last 2 replies help!

RLTW

streetstang · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2004, 06:47:16 PM »

Matrix, thanks alot for all the great info. You other guys too. Like I said, I've cracked open and ripped apart countless desktops, but I always shy'd away from laptops for obvious reasons.

I'll let ya know how this goes. I think I got the same vid card you got matrix. I would like to upgrade the memory also. We'll see how well I do with the vid card first. It the thing still works after the vid card install, I'll try to tackel the memory.

Thanks again!

~~Morph.~~

Replicant · « **Reply #6 on:** December 25, 2004, 05:20:25 PM »

I just bought a Dell Inspiron 9100, P4 3.2, 512 DDR RAM, and ATI Mobile 9700 128mb.

How do the ATI Mobile video cards compare with their desktop equivalents?

streetstang · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2004, 04:29:55 PM »

Good question Nexx, thats something I'd like to know as well. I am thinking of going with the ATI rather than the Geforce in the 8100 i got sitting now. Its a great little machine, with the 1.3ghz P3 and 512 RAM it does most things one would need it to do on the road or just putzin around on the couch. The 16mb vid card has always been its only real short coming. That the the chity HD that was suplied by IBM at the time. I went through two before I decided to try Toshiba. Works ok for what I need, and more importantly hasn't died. (knocks on wood).

I'm actually more exctited to do this laptop video card than I was to put together my last desktop which just about broke the play money bank at 2500 bucks and counting. I've never opened one of these suckers up. But figured now what the heck after I got a toshiba laptop as my main source of a PC while im away. It'll be fun and work, or be a paper weight when im done.

Once I get the card i'll take some pictures and such. Maybe it would come in handy if someone else is thinking of doing something like this.

Replicant · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2004, 05:37:50 PM »

Yeah, do take some pics, I'm sure they'd come in handy. I too have never opened a laptop up and likewise would be a little apprehensive!

SNO · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2004, 09:23:30 PM »

Morph, you can go to the dell site, at support and get the full documentation and step by step on how to dismantle that laptop.