User Upgradeable Graphics Card?

[drunkenllama]

I've noticed a few of the models eg. MSI GT660 has "User Upgradeable" Graphics card.
Does it mean what I think it means? even then, where does one even buy laptop graphics cards? Ebay?

And if those models can be upgraded by user, why not the others? do they have their cards sodered onto the board?

I am obviously not the expert, so sorry if that turns out to be a dumb question.

[singleshot71]

In the past....laptop makers could not agree on specs (mb,gpu) or anything else. They all wanted to be totally different in every way. So, GPU makers and the like all had to make parts specific to brand. Like a GPU in a MAC will not fit into a beast like a SAGER or ASUS g73. As far as finding one for replacement, I haven't been able to find a spare one anywere. My thinking is they are not selling them to public, so they can control costs and force you n me to buy a whole laptop, when all we need is a new gpu!!!

[Maverick494]

In the past....laptop makers could not agree on specs (mb,gpu) or anything else. They all wanted to be totally different in every way. So, GPU makers and the like all had to make parts specific to brand. Like a GPU in a MAC will not fit into a beast like a SAGER or ASUS g73. As far as finding one for replacement, I haven't been able to find a spare one anywere. My thinking is they are not selling them to public, so they can control costs and force you n me to buy a whole laptop, when all we need is a new gpu!!!

Ebay has ASUS 5870M's on it right now.

www.MxM-upgrade.com should answer any other questions

[drunkenllama]

wow, thanks for the prompt replies! Just had a cursory read, guess I am not realistically upgrading it myself soon...
how do I even know which cards are gonna fit?

oh and where did youfind ASUS 5870M on ebay? how come my searches came up with nothing

[Maverick494]

wow, thanks for the prompt replies! Just had a cursory read, guess I am not realistically upgrading it myself soon...
how do I even know which cards are gonna fit?

oh and where did youfind ASUS 5870M on ebay? how come my searches came up with nothing

MXM-upgrade lists a lot of laptops and what fits them, otherwise you would need to consult the manufacturer. The 5870 for the Asus must have ended because they were there yesterday when I searched 5870 mobility. Now there is just the one standard 5870 mobility and not the Asus ones.

[johnwright]

You should follow the steps to upgrade your graphics card. First you should uninstall your current card's drivers. You should remove your current card. You should install your new card. You need to install your new card. You must install the drivers for the card back and then they should adjust the properties of your screen. You can download the drivers as self-extracting files from your laptop.