Upgrading Laptop Hardware

criss · 04-07-2006, 02:31 AM

Looking to boost the RAM in my laptop - currently have 512...wanna get another 512.

Anyway - some questions :

1. I have to get RAM specifically for laptop. Does it matter on the model of the laptop etc ? For example : Im running a Packard Bell EasyNote H5, could I just grab mysef this :

http://cgi.ebay.com/512MB-Laptop-RAM...QQcmdZViewItem

2. How do I check if I have the physical space for it in my laptop - do I have to take the laptops back off ? If so , what am I looking for. Or can I use software to detect open slots ?

3. Does the same go for graphics cards for laptops. Can anyone recommend a good site for laptop graphic cards ?

Cheers !

bigsaucybob · 04-07-2006, 02:40 AM

1. You should download CPU-z (google it) to see how much ram you have, what slots are being used, and what type of ram you have and need to get

2. I wouldnt buy ram off ebay. Try looking at newegg.com or tigerdirect.com

3. CPU-z will tell you if you have open spots, i think

4. I dont beleive laptops graphics cards can be replaced.

goosy22 · 04-07-2006, 02:49 AM

yes... i'd recommend cpu-z and look for RAM that had the same speed and timings as the RAM you already have... and buy RAM from newegg.com or tigerdirect.com... better service, prices, etc...

as for gfx cards... it's theoretically possible to upgrade one if your notebook supports different cards, not including integrated graphics... but being able to find one that works and installing sucessfully has about 0% chance in hell to work out in the end... so you are pretty much stuck with what you have...

criss · 04-07-2006, 04:57 AM

Many thanks guys - Ive used CPU-Z before , just forgot about it

Where does it say if I have any slots free for more RAM ?

Also - my laptop has integrated intel graphics ( 8mb ) but on top of that it has a Nvdia Geforce FX Go5100 64mb - which after research is a series of graphics card made specifically for laptops...so I should technically be able to upgrade ?

Thanks again !

atvshane · 04-07-2006, 05:26 AM

You can also look up what kind of ram your computer takes, how much it ships with, maximum memory you can put into your computer, ect... at www.kingston.com Also at www.centon.com but centon dosn't have your model computer on their site.

Your laptop has a maximum memory of 1GB via 2 slots. The 512MB you have in there can be either 2 256MBs or 1 512MB stick as the manufacturer does not ship them all the same. You will have to unscrew the panel undeneath your computer to acess the memory banks and see how many sticks there are.

If your computer has 2 256MB modules, then naturally you will have to replace both to get 1GB.

criss · 04-07-2006, 07:21 AM

Cool, that worked a treat - that site is v useful !

Dyu happen to know if you can change a laptops graphics card...because Ive been browsing around through the forums...and Im not sure if its acutally possible ! Currently using 64mb Nvidia Geforce FX Go5100....would like 128-256mb hehe

bigsaucybob · 04-07-2006, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by criss

Cool, that worked a treat - that site is v useful !

Dyu happen to know if you can change a laptops graphics card...because Ive been browsing around through the forums...and Im not sure if its acutally possible ! Currently using 64mb Nvidia Geforce FX Go5100....would like 128-256mb hehe

I'm pretty sure its not possible. The GPU on laptops is usually soldered to the board. Unless you have like an open PCI slot then maybe, but I doubt it.

atvshane · 04-07-2006, 04:54 PM

You can't change your video card in your laptop. It is on your motherboard.

goosy22 · 04-07-2006, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atvshane

You can't change your video card in your laptop. It is on your motherboard.

umm... not necessarily... integrated graphics can't really be changed... i mean i'm sure if you knew exactly how to solder it on and reprogram the mobo it's possible... chances are that that'll never happen... but laptops can come with pci expansions slots... to prove this to you... click this link... http://www.xtremenotebooks.com/index...inch&category=... this computer has pci-e slots for gfx cards...

LaptopExtreme · 04-08-2006, 12:08 AM

There are many PCI-E or MXM slot video cards, but many can only be replaced with the same card. Reason for this is that there are many neighboring components interfering with the fit or it wouldn't fit the chassis when put together. Only recently have you started seeing some with changeable video cards, but the chassis usually aren't the thinnest. Anyhow, the price you throw down for a system like that and an upgrade on the graphics, you might as well buy a more portable unit with a good graphics card to begin with. You'll eventually see some more video cards become more universal, but the time is not now.

04-07-2006, 02:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
criss New Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 4	Upgrading Laptop Hardware Looking to boost the RAM in my laptop - currently have 512...wanna get another 512. Anyway - some questions : 1. I have to get RAM specifically for laptop. Does it matter on the model of the laptop etc ? For example : Im running a Packard Bell EasyNote H5, could I just grab mysef this : http://cgi.ebay.com/512MB-Laptop-RAM...QQcmdZViewItem 2. How do I check if I have the physical space for it in my laptop - do I have to take the laptops back off ? If so , what am I looking for. Or can I use software to detect open slots ? 3. Does the same go for graphics cards for laptops. Can anyone recommend a good site for laptop graphic cards ? Cheers !

04-07-2006, 02:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
bigsaucybob Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: ny Age: 19 Posts: 3,915	1. You should download CPU-z (google it) to see how much ram you have, what slots are being used, and what type of ram you have and need to get 2. I wouldnt buy ram off ebay. Try looking at newegg.com or tigerdirect.com 3. CPU-z will tell you if you have open spots, i think 4. I dont beleive laptops graphics cards can be replaced. __________________ Equipt NOW

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04-07-2006, 04:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
criss New Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 4	Many thanks guys - Ive used CPU-Z before , just forgot about it Where does it say if I have any slots free for more RAM ? Also - my laptop has integrated intel graphics ( 8mb ) but on top of that it has a Nvdia Geforce FX Go5100 64mb - which after research is a series of graphics card made specifically for laptops...so I should technically be able to upgrade ? Thanks again !

04-07-2006, 05:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
atvshane New Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 12	You can also look up what kind of ram your computer takes, how much it ships with, maximum memory you can put into your computer, ect... at www.kingston.com Also at www.centon.com but centon dosn't have your model computer on their site. Your laptop has a maximum memory of 1GB via 2 slots. The 512MB you have in there can be either 2 256MBs or 1 512MB stick as the manufacturer does not ship them all the same. You will have to unscrew the panel undeneath your computer to acess the memory banks and see how many sticks there are. If your computer has 2 256MB modules, then naturally you will have to replace both to get 1GB.

04-07-2006, 07:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
criss New Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 4	Cool, that worked a treat - that site is v useful ! Dyu happen to know if you can change a laptops graphics card...because Ive been browsing around through the forums...and Im not sure if its acutally possible ! Currently using 64mb Nvidia Geforce FX Go5100....would like 128-256mb hehe

04-07-2006, 04:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
atvshane New Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 12	You can't change your video card in your laptop. It is on your motherboard.

04-08-2006, 12:08 AM	#10 (permalink)
LaptopExtreme VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 880	There are many PCI-E or MXM slot video cards, but many can only be replaced with the same card. Reason for this is that there are many neighboring components interfering with the fit or it wouldn't fit the chassis when put together. Only recently have you started seeing some with changeable video cards, but the chassis usually aren't the thinnest. Anyhow, the price you throw down for a system like that and an upgrade on the graphics, you might as well buy a more portable unit with a good graphics card to begin with. You'll eventually see some more video cards become more universal, but the time is not now.