Computers Upgrading my laptop

**Canofbier** · 06-14-2014, 04:17 PM

Some background - I bought my current laptop just a bit over three years ago. At the time, it had pretty decent specs:

CPU: Intel i7-2630QM, 2.00GHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 460M, 1.5GB
RAM: 8GB DDR3

Nowadays, the old thing is starting to show its age. I am looking to upgrade the GPU for sure. I took the laptop apart earlier today to confirm that the GPU is replaceable, so no worries there. I also saw that my power source goes up to 150W, and even the fanciest mobile video cards don't look to go above 100W, so I'm not worried about that either.

My question is: what is the best mobile GPU I could get that wouldn't be gimped by my older CPU? If it would make more sense to upgrade the both of them, I would consider that, too.

Actually, I'm curious: if I upgrade both the CPU and GPU, will my laptop game as well as a new computer with those same two components? I'm pretty ignorant to how hardware is utilized, but I don't hear much about anything other than CPU and GPU when it comes to running intensive games.

Vegas_Dave · 06-14-2014, 08:33 PM

Put in a solid state drive. Night and freaking day difference.

**Canofbier** · 06-14-2014, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas_Dave

Put in a solid state drive. Night and freaking day difference.

I've had one since the day I bought this laptop, actually. I've never had a computer start up faster than the one I have now, so I love it. It has relatively low capacity, though, so I limit it to the OS (Windows) and other primary applications.

**Canofbier** · 06-14-2014, 09:15 PM

Perhaps it's worth mentioning: my motherboard is a Micro-Star MS-16F2. I have way too little technical expertise to know what's compatible with it.

DaveNull · 06-15-2014, 10:13 AM

Do you know what your choke point is on the machine now? That seems like a pretty serviceable machine for a lot of uses.

*edit*

But I'd kick it to 16 GB of RAM and a faster SSD.

Vegas_Dave · 06-15-2014, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveNull

Do you know what your choke point is on the machine now? That seems like a pretty serviceable machine for a lot of uses.

*edit*

But I'd kick it to 16 GB of RAM and a faster SSD.

Agreed. If your ssd is an older model, a newer model can make a big difference. I live then newer Intel models. Your ram is also low for a gaming rig.

**AustinChief** · 06-15-2014, 11:23 AM

16GB of Ram is a must... I'm pretty sure that motherboard has 4 slots (2 front and 2 back) that can each take a 4GB stick.

**Canofbier** · 06-15-2014, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveNull

Do you know what your choke point is on the machine now? That seems like a pretty serviceable machine for a lot of uses.

*edit*

But I'd kick it to 16 GB of RAM and a faster SSD.

Since my main problem is low framerates during gaming, I had assumed that my issue was an aged video card.

**Canofbier** · 06-15-2014, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

16GB of Ram is a must... I'm pretty sure that motherboard has 4 slots (2 front and 2 back) that can each take a 4GB stick.

You're correct. That being said, if I'm going to upgrade my RAM, I might just upgrade two of 'em; accessing all four sounds like a huge pain in the ass. You don't think that the video card is the cause of poor framerates?

Vegas_Dave · 06-15-2014, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canofbier

You're correct. That being said, if I'm going to upgrade my RAM, I might just upgrade two of 'em; accessing all four sounds like a huge pain in the ass. You don't think that the video card is the cause of poor framerates?

It's part of our for sure, but don't neglect your RAM. Frankly, I find the whole gaming laptop silly for the reasons that you are experiencing now. Build a proper desktop gaming rig and you have far better scalability and performance.

**Canofbier** · 06-15-2014, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas_Dave

It's part of our for sure, but don't neglect your RAM. Frankly, I find the whole gaming laptop silly for the reasons that you are experiencing now. Build a proper desktop gaming rig and you have far better scalability and performance.

No doubt that it's something to consider. I thought if I could replace one or two parts on my laptop I might get it to last a few more years before building a desktop, but if the replacement effort is more than that it may just be worthwhile to build a new one altogether. I'll have to research a bit more, I think.

Vegas_Dave · 06-15-2014, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canofbier

No doubt that it's something to consider. I thought if I could replace one or two parts on my laptop I might get it to last a few more years before building a desktop, but if the replacement effort is more than that it may just be worthwhile to build a new one altogether. I'll have to research a bit more, I think.

ignore you CPU... its fine. It might not be the fastest compared to whats out there now, but it is a VERY solid CPU.

**New World Order** · 06-15-2014, 05:28 PM

Bier do you play games on it? I sent you a pm

**AustinChief** · 06-15-2014, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas_Dave

ignore you CPU... its fine. It might not be the fastest compared to whats out there now, but it is a VERY solid CPU.

^^ what he said.

The easiest upgrade is RAM and it may be enough to get you where you need to go. I'd go for 16 if it were me but 12 is ok too. I'd definitely try to max out RAM before attacking the GPU. It can get a bit tricky getting a different mobile GPU to actually fit and line up with the heatsink and all that jazz.

So.. if you want to step it up piece by piece until you are comfortable.. go 12GB ram, 16GB ram, new GPU... after that you are better off going with a desktop.

**Canofbier** · 06-15-2014, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New World Order

Bier do you play games on it? I sent you a pm

Yep. Sent a reply just now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

^^ what he said.

The easiest upgrade is RAM and it may be enough to get you where you need to go. I'd go for 16 if it were me but 12 is ok too. I'd definitely try to max out RAM before attacking the GPU. It can get a bit tricky getting a different mobile GPU to actually fit and line up with the heatsink and all that jazz.

So.. if you want to step it up piece by piece until you are comfortable.. go 12GB ram, 16GB ram, new GPU... after that you are better off going with a desktop.

Alright, thanks for your advice. I reached out to the company I bought my laptop from (it's a pretty small website that prides itself on customer service) with questions, so we'll see what they have to say about the upgrade. Hopefully they won't be put-off by the fact that I'm just asking questions and not buying anything extra from them.

06-14-2014, 04:17 PM
Canofbier ¡RIOS MIO! Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Minneapolis Casino cash: $3796981	Upgrading my laptop Some background - I bought my current laptop just a bit over three years ago. At the time, it had pretty decent specs: CPU: Intel i7-2630QM, 2.00GHz GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 460M, 1.5GB RAM: 8GB DDR3 Nowadays, the old thing is starting to show its age. I am looking to upgrade the GPU for sure. I took the laptop apart earlier today to confirm that the GPU is replaceable, so no worries there. I also saw that my power source goes up to 150W, and even the fanciest mobile video cards don't look to go above 100W, so I'm not worried about that either. My question is: what is the best mobile GPU I could get that wouldn't be gimped by my older CPU? If it would make more sense to upgrade the both of them, I would consider that, too. Actually, I'm curious: if I upgrade both the CPU and GPU, will my laptop game as well as a new computer with those same two components? I'm pretty ignorant to how hardware is utilized, but I don't hear much about anything other than CPU and GPU when it comes to running intensive games.
Posts: 4,323

06-14-2014, 08:33 PM	#2
Vegas_Dave Veteran Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Casino cash: $-1575280	Put in a solid state drive. Night and freaking day difference. __________________ Lastly, Redrum_69:
Posts: 1,879

06-14-2014, 09:15 PM	#4
Canofbier ¡RIOS MIO! Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Minneapolis Casino cash: $3796981	Perhaps it's worth mentioning: my motherboard is a Micro-Star MS-16F2. I have way too little technical expertise to know what's compatible with it.
Posts: 4,323

06-15-2014, 10:13 AM	#5
DaveNull Veteran Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Villa Straylight Casino cash: $9975610	Do you know what your choke point is on the machine now? That seems like a pretty serviceable machine for a lot of uses. edit But I'd kick it to 16 GB of RAM and a faster SSD.
Posts: 2,367

06-15-2014, 11:23 AM	#7
AustinChief Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Austin Casino cash: $-774998	16GB of Ram is a must... I'm pretty sure that motherboard has 4 slots (2 front and 2 back) that can each take a 4GB stick.
Posts: 20,021

06-15-2014, 05:28 PM	#13
New World Order Choco Favre Join Date: Jul 2012 Casino cash: $-1275235	Bier do you play games on it? I sent you a pm
Posts: 32,260