Upgrading 3D card, Is it possible?

DJSilverBack · Oct 6, 2004, 05:30 PM

Hiya is it possible to remove a radeon mibility 9700 128MB and replace it with a mobility 9800 256MB 3D card? U can buy (hard to find but is possible) the 256MB Mobility chips, so can you replace these?

Has anyone ever tried this?

SilverBack

Shinjikun · Oct 6, 2004, 05:32 PM

You'd have to go to your laptop maker and see if they have the 9800 available with their model system. The mobile video cards are proprietary components developed by specific computer manufacturers and vendors so the answer lies with the company that built your computer.

DJSilverBack · Oct 6, 2004, 05:37 PM

They have another laptop in the range, that has exactly the same motherboard as mine, but becuase they do not upgrade the 3d card they say they cant do it, the thing is if it has the same motherboard, doesnt that mean as long as I get the the ATI mobility 9800 256MB chip It will be ok?

I want to get one in the next 6 months but Im looking at spending £250 to do this and want to make sure its gonna work.

SilverBack

Shinjikun · Oct 6, 2004, 05:40 PM

It might have the same motherboard but the motherboard itself might be an older revision that might not support the 9800. I would go by what they say to be safe. You don't want to spend the money on a part that won't work; or may damage your system in the long run.

I would contact them and make absolutely sure that it either does or doesn't work with your model computer (and motherboard revision).

DJSilverBack · Oct 6, 2004, 05:45 PM

Thanks for the feedback,

However It makes me wonder if they would just say no to make U upgrade the whole laptop, and its new anyway.

They would make more money then, but Ill try them again.

Cheers

SilverBack

LeanWolf · Oct 6, 2004, 05:48 PM

i'd check the forums for your laptop model, you'll find out what's possible there

Shinjikun · Oct 6, 2004, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJSilverBack

Thanks for the feedback,

However It makes me wonder if they would just say no to make U upgrade the whole laptop, and its new anyway.

They would make more money then, but Ill try them again.

Cheers

SilverBack

You never know, but probably not. The whole mobile video card issue is a bit touchy due to what goes into developing these cards so if they say it isn't compatible they probably mean it. Just try to get a proper detailed explanation if it comes to that so you aren't left empty handed.

Geminiwave · Oct 7, 2004, 07:14 PM

Okay so what kind of laptop do you have? brand, make, model?

It often is possible and they will say it is not simply because they dont want you to upgrade. OR it may require a hack.

ORRRRR it might be that it is integrated onto your computer(entirely possible)

DJSilverBack · Oct 9, 2004, 09:37 AM

Ok So I spoke to my laptop manafucter and they tell me its not possible as the card is apparently soldered onto the motherboard, This is really annoying as I have the same motherboard as the Alienware M, and Dell Inspiron which both have upgradeable graphics, and I cant afford another new laptop for ages considering Ive only just got this.

Ive just upgraded my RAM to 1GB 400DDR which made a difference so thats cool.

How do you hack a 3D card on a laptop anyway? Also can you get softmods or anything like that for a laptop? I dont really want to oc but I would like to get more power if possible.

Ive got a Radeon Mobility 9700 128MB

If anyone has any ideas let me know, cheers all

SilverBack

Shinjikun · Oct 9, 2004, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJSilverBack

Ok So I spoke to my laptop manafucter and they tell me its not possible as the card is apparently soldered onto the motherboard, This is really annoying as I have the same motherboard as the Alienware M, and Dell Inspiron which both have upgradeable graphics, and I cant afford another new laptop for ages considering Ive only just got this.

Ive just upgraded my RAM to 1GB 400DDR which made a difference so thats cool.

How do you hack a 3D card on a laptop anyway? Also can you get softmods or anything like that for a laptop? I dont really want to oc but I would like to get more power if possible.

Ive got a Radeon Mobility 9700 128MB

If anyone has any ideas let me know, cheers all

SilverBack

It maybe the same motherboard as other systems but there are tons of different revisions; plus Alienware & Dell might have customized versions of those same motherboards to allow upgradability. In any event I'm sorry that you can't upgrade friend.

As for 'hacking' the video card there aren't any softmods that I know of for mobility video cards. Usually a softmod will just enable the extra pipes that are disabled on a certain video cards or have other effects; but with mobility video cards they're limited to 4 rendering pipelines and don't have any secret disabled pipes so to speak so a softmod might not apply.

Geminiwave · Oct 10, 2004, 07:02 PM

and soldering on a new card is impossible, quite literally

jamigre · Jan 28, 2005, 10:07 PM

if it helps ive found that using rad linker and overclocking it just a tad brings about a good increase in performance. for example

Core 238.5 --> 247.5
Memory 194.6 --> 199.1

and i get about a 15fps performance increase in WoW and a 12 FPS in HL2

so if you wanna give it a shot go ahead... otherwise... well.... er... dont

Geminiwave · Jan 29, 2005, 01:01 AM

I would advise against OCing your laptop.