Installing more RAM or new Graphics Card onto standard Laptop

LYRICALRAVER on 30/11/2017 - 20:56

is it possible to install extra RAM / Graphics card onto a stock Laptop such as Lenovo, Asus, HP etc that comes with e.g. Intel HD Graphics or just 4GB RAM? Should it be done by a 'professional' IT person at a Computer store which overcharges? LOL haha not thinking of using Geeks2U

I remember buying a Dell laptop from JBHifi where the specs were so low and crappy, and the price so high and wasted my money on it. wouldn't buy a laptop from the likes of JBhifi, HN, etc. I'm looking at this one though at Officeworks: specs look ok

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/lenovo-ide…

Computing

Comments

  • xoom on 30/11/2017 - 21:06
    +5

    Extra ram in most cases yes. Change graphics card like to upgrade it. Thats a no in a vast majority of cases.

    • LYRICALRAVER on 30/11/2017 - 21:11

      Hi xoom thanks for the quick response. However, you said, 'in a vast majority' - by that do you mean there are exceptions to the rule? i.e. it's possible to do that? is it very difficult or worth it even? cheers

      • Purec on 30/11/2017 - 21:15
        +1

        usually the gpu is soldered into the motherboard, it's not like a socket where you can remove and replace the part. usually ram is user replaceable.

        there are some laptops that have replaceable gpu cards but it's not really popular and only some older laptops (usually workstations) really have them.

      • xoom on 30/11/2017 - 21:15
        +1

        Very few exceptions to the rule. Difficult? Hell yes. Worth it? Not really.

      • Oz8argain on 04/12/2017 - 13:12

        you could buy one of those external GPUs from Razer and plug into your laptop but it's expensive and probably not worth it and you'll have to carry the gpu with you. Actually maybe just sell this on gumtree or something and buy a better one?

  • vinni9284 on 30/11/2017 - 21:24
    +1

    Usually the Alienware laptops had the option of upgrading the GPU (MXM Graphics) however the graphics card were expensive and you also had to check compatibility and HSF to ensure it fits.
    I am not sure with the latest units however there is an external Alienware amplifier that you can purchase (external box) where you can place a dedicated GPU into it. You can "switch" from internal laptop GPU to External GPU when you connect the box to it. There is a huge performance gain with gaming (depending on GPU).
    For example, you may have an internal laptop GPU - GTX1050 and an external GTX1080 connected to the amplifier.
    I would assume the latest units are all BGA sockets with the "H" CPU prefix and GPU on one PCB.
    Please google it.
    In relation to RAM, you have to ensure the type of RAM (Eg DDR3L) and size (E.g 1 x 16GB) that your laptop is compatible with.
    Usually the general laptops has two slots and you can upgrade and the compartments are underneath.
    Alienwares usually have 4 x slots but may need to remove the keyboard to access the top x 2 slots and bottom compartment to access the bottom 2 x slots. (Depending on model - ~ 17+ " units)

    Dell support usually can give you a walk-through of how to install RAM.

    If you are not comfortable with installing RAM, you can ask the place of purchase to do it. Usually they have basic knowledge to do RAM upgrades.

    Cheers

    • scrimshaw on 30/11/2017 - 23:08
      +1

      According to Linus on LinusTechTips Nvidia is planning on ending support for MXM.

      And the other issue for consumers is that MXM graphics cards are also much more expensive than their PCIE desktop counterparts, since there doesn't exist an official way to buy MXM GPU's — you can only get it from eBay sellers who mark up the GPU's an incredible amount, and only a few sellers actually stock it

      Metabox is the only retailer that I know of that sells MXM's but their store inventory is currently empty.
      https://www.metabox.com.au/store/Video-Card

      • vinni9284 on 01/12/2017 - 07:05

        Thanks for the post. Interesting read. It seems that there were a few variants of this card.

        Agree that MXM cards is very expensive and now hard to get. I have seen some ads on Gumtree second hand E.g. GTX770M's for $400 which is just not worth it.

        I have the Alienware amplifier and a newer 13 R3 laptop and the combo works well (when the laptop was working LOL)

        However I am now questioning the quality and reliability of these machines as my laptop has died twice due to a dead Power IC chip.

        I still have another older 17" 4910MQ, 32GB, GTX880M, 3D .. and thus far is going well. However no amplifier compatibility due to an earlier model. The good 'ol M processor was an upgradable ZIF socket, but then to upgrade that, small gain vs higher cost. Similar to MXM.

        Cheers

  • djkelly69 on 30/11/2017 - 22:11
    +1

    If you want decent advice on what laptop to buy, you need to let people know what your uses will be.

    The laptop you have linked to seems like a mishmash of parts. HD screen is crap, processor is two generations old, it doesn't have an SSD, and 12gb of ram makes no sense.

    • FireRunner on 30/11/2017 - 23:25
      +1

      12GB of ram does exist however is unusual. Usually a combination of a 4GB and 8GB stick.

  • AdosHouse on 30/11/2017 - 23:18
    +2

    If you buy a laptop from places like Officeworks, HN, JB, etc, you are wasting money. Go talk to a REAL computer store and go from there.

    Where I get laptops from , http://catalogue.msy.com.au/#p=1

  • FireRunner on 30/11/2017 - 23:23

    Ram can usually be upgraded.
    GPU no, except some high end gaming laptops.
    You're not better off buying a cheap laptop and upgrading with parts.

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