Hi everyone,

I have an ACER 4930G laptop, which came with a P9500 processor, 4GB RAM and an idependant NVIDIA GeForce9600M GS (256MB) graphics card.

I'd like to upgrade my graphics card to a GF9650 GT (1GB), or an equivalent card from ATI.

Does anyone know is it possible to upgrade the graphics card on my 4930G laptop?

Thanks in advance!

jonimo

I guess the short answer is NO. Laptop GPU's(graphic Processor Units) are not readily upgradeable

Thank you for your quick response, but that really is a shame to hear.

Does the fact that it's not readily upgradeable mean that there might still be a way to change the GPU, but it would take a professional technician to carry out the job?

jonimo

Its possible I suppose given the amount of expertise required, but would not be cost effective.
Laptops as a whole are not really upgradeable outside of memory, hard disk drives and in some cases a slight increase in processor sizes.
If a person is a gamer and needs a computer, the only way to fly would be a desktop. They are more upgradeable in general ie: processors, graphic cards, sound cards, memory, HDDs, power supplies and I suppose, right down to motherboards and their components are much cheaper to purchase

I just did some research for a lady on this exact thing. Here is what I posted for her.


It seems as though it may be possible. However, I do not know that your laptop actually has a PCIe slot, but it should. Also, there would be size limitations as well as heatpipe issues for cooling. Also, price. It would not be a cheap upgrade.

Chances are your laptop does have a PCIe slot that you could put in a different graphics card. But, it has to be the mobile version. As you go up in graphics card speed/ramm, you also go up in size. Your laptop should have a heatpipe/heatsink for cooling the graphics card. Different cards may not work. You may only be able to go up just once step to say a 9400M based card. But again, the card is a little larger.

Here is the 9300M


Here is the 9400M


Here is the 9800M


So basic answer, is it possible, probably. Hardest part would be finding which one will fit. It does look like the next card up is larger so it may not even work though. And then there is the cost

Brilliant research and input. Thanks.

Welcome to NBF!

cheers ...

wow, thanks a lot for all of that!

hmm, I guess I'll make do with what Ive got for the time being before attempting to upgrade it...but when I do I'll let you guys know how it went

thanks again!

This may do well as a sticky for those others wondering of gpu updates

I just noticed at the other forum that I forgot to state that these cards have memory integrated on the MB (MotherBoard). However, I believe you can upgrade the card (if it will fit) but have to keep in the range of the OEM card (ie: 9300 up to 9400).

And if you are going to make this into a sticky, check out the link below. I think it has pretty much every mobile video card ever made

notebookcheck

Great stuff garrettpf.....thanks

Has anyone poked around inside of a 4530 yet?
I'm curious if it has the PCI-X slot and whether or not it would take an upgrade for the GPU.

I have a 4930g that came with a standard 3GB memory with the P8400 processor,, I have upgraded the memory to 4GB, was wondering if I could change the amount of dedicated video memory as it is only set to 64MB,, can anyone please help me on this one as I've tried to contact acer customer service and they have done is give me a load of different reason why they won't help me,,,

thanks

The specs I read from your model is 256MB dedicated gpu ram - stock! Can you give us the full specs of your comp and where you see the 64mb setting?

cheers ...

I was looking at the bios and on the acer esettings management and they both say that it only has 64mb dedicated video memory

Interesting. Do you have the latest BIOS for your comp installed? Check it against Acer support site for your model and see.

cheers ...