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"Future"(ish) proof Gaming Laptop??

Antx777

Antx777

Antx777

Associate
Joined
23 May 2004
Posts
1,908
Hello,

I've posted this in the Graphics forum, because I'm thinking of getting a Gaming Laptop.

However, AFAIK (as far as I know) the fastest laptops out there are the "Geforce Go 7800 256 Megs" or something in that vain I think. These are fast, of course, and will play all the latest titles on high res I would imagine (F.E.A.R., BF2, Far Cry, to name but 3)

What though however in 1 years time (or so) when the newer titles are released? - Can you upgrade a GFX Chip on a laptop - or can some laptops allow you to do so?

Anthony
 
There are two types of the 7800- the standard 7800 Go and 7800GTX Go. If you can, get the GTX. You want a laptop with the gfx card on a MXM board so you should be able to replace it. However you're constrained with the limitations of the laptop OEM/manufacturer providing compatible MXM cards. You also have to consider thermal issues (stock heatpipe/cooling might not be sufficient for the newer hotter card) There is also talk of different sized MXM boards (MXM I, II and III) it's not like desktops- pull out old one, buy any kind from £20 to £400 for that slot and it'll work.

Sager 5720/Rock Extreme CT does have options for ATI X800 or Geforce 7800GTX, so it can be replaced. However whether or not a 8800GTX MXM when released will fit with no issues is another matter.

A few Dell's are upgradeable, but the cost involved is considerable. M70 and XPS 120 are two laptops that people have replaced and upgraded stock cards to faster boards. They also had to force BIOS flash their laptops, and had to buy a higher voltage battery and new charger as well!

Probably best to go to a notebook forum..
http://www.notebookforums.com/

IMO laptops aren't "future proof" upgradeable...memory and HD upgradeable usually, CPU also, video card not really. If you want a upgradeable gaming machine get a desktop. Unless you don't mind spending £1500 on a gaming machine every few years that is.
 
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Hi,

I've got an M170 7800GTX Dell Laptop. Whilst I believe that the graphics card can be upgraded I suppose your into the realms of crystal ball gazing because if it requires different power / cooling then the chassis itself may not be good enough etc..

I just picked the best around when I had the money. I knew the Yonah stuff was coming but couldn't wait (needed the laptop).

Do you really need that powerful a laptop or are best getting a shuttle type system and lower spec centrino etc as I could have probably got a cheap laptop and kickass X1900 system for the same price :eek:
 
Thanks for the replies,

Will go check that link out badbob :) Well, I can just hope that the next 5-10 years bring out terrible games...then I won't have to by em';)

Got a decent pc ATM (FX55/Radeon X850XT, 16MB Cache HD/2 Gig ram etc (6,500 05 Marks), which makes me think concentrating on MORE than the GFX card could be important too (IE: Faster HD, more ram. Don't come cheap though:eek:


Thanks
 
The current crop of 7800Go GTX cards in the Clevo chassis are not MXM cards.

They may or may not be upgradeable in the future but that remains to be seen.
 
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