Replacing Graphics Card in my laptop...

[Cloudjuice]

I've been doing some research and have found instructions for possibly replacing the graphics card in my laptop, that is as long as it's not soldered. But I can't seem to find anywhere to actually purchase ANY cards for laptops. I currently have an NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS that just isn't cutting it at all. When I purchased the laptop it was more for general use but I'm wanting to have the option for some gaming now. My main concern is not only finding a place to purchase a card if it's replaceable but finding a card that is compatible with the allocated space on the board. I'm hoping to start the upgrade process here and keep upgrading. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Cloudjuice]

After further sifting through pages of information I've seen NVIDIA introduced MXM (Mobile PCI EXpress Module) as early as 2004, and seeing how my laptop is far newer than that I may have a hope to find an upgrade. But I have no idea if my laptop has this nifty little "feature" or not. It seems that all companies keep this under wraps especially which models include this. Cause I guess if people knew they could upgrade instead of just buying a replacement laptop that it would hurt the market a bit. I have found I website with a limited list of compatible models here:

http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/Table.html

The website also does a pretty good job of explaining MXM in General. And the actually NVIDIA website specifically says this about MXM:

"Does MXM mean user upgradeable graphics?
MXM was designed from the beginning to support upgradeable graphics. However, the benefits of MXM extend far beyond field upgradeability—MXM reduces the engineering burden for the entire industry by leveraging IHVs reference engineering designs. This allows faster time-to-market for the latest graphics products. Some implementations of MXM will be field upgradeable, but many will not, depending on the platform implementation."

The same website above does give suggestions on how to see if one's laptop is MXM here:
http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/Notinthelist.html

But in general I still feel as though I've simply gone in circles here. So I'm starting to assume that if my laptop isn't MXM I may be pretty SOL. Grrr...:mad:


*Edit*
And if it help my laptop is running with a Quanta 30D2 79.29 motherboard and an intel mobile core 2 duo t8100. So with those 2 factors it seems my laptop supports pci-express which means I may have mxm capabilities...

[logan]

I read that the graphics on laptops are integrated into the mainboard. You could probably go with an external graphics card, but I don't know that's what you want to do.

Have you followed the guide on your link to check whether you have an MXM card?

[bullydog]

ASUS did launch a external video card type hardware specially for Laptops... cant remember the name though

[Cloudjuice]

I did go through the guide on the link and it seems that the only real lead I have is that if the laptop supports PCI-express then it makes the probability of the card being replaceable. And it's 50/50 if the card is actually soldered to the motherboard. And of course HP is really no help at all. So it seems like the only way to really tell is kidnap an HP help associate or pop open my laptop for a little exploration.

So I guess for now I'll look into a possible external graphics card until I can scrounge up a little more information.