It is possible, but there are a few things to consider beforehand. In this article, we will take a look at what you need to know before upgrading your graphics card and how to do it. Keep reading for more information on the subject!
One of the most important things to consider before upgrading your graphics card is kind of card you will be using. Not all graphics cards are compatible with all laptops, so you need to make sure that the card you choose is compatible with your model. You can find this information by looking up your laptop’s specs online or by contacting the manufacturer.
Graphics Crad Power
Another thing you need to take into account is how much power your laptop’s current graphics card uses. Some cards require more power than others, and if your laptop doesn’t have enough power to support the new card, it could damage either the graphics card or the computer itself. Most laptops come with a built-in utility that will tell you how much power your current graphics card uses, so make sure to check this before installing a new one.
A final thing you need to be aware of is where you will install the new graphics card. Some laptops have room for extra cards installed in an expansion bay or under the keyboard, but many don’t. Take some time before making any changes to familiarize yourself with how your laptop is laid out and where components are located. This will prevent you from accidentally damaging something while trying to install your new graphics card.
Upgarde Graphics Card
To upgrade your laptop’s graphics card, start by unplugging your laptop and turning it upside down so that the bottom is facing up towards you. Look around on the underside of your computer for an expansion bay or under-board compartment for installing additional components. If you find one, check to see what kind of slot your laptop is using and what type of card it is compatible with. Some laptops use an mSATA slot or a mini PCI-E slot for graphics cards, so be sure to read the specifications before purchasing a new one.
If your laptop does not have an expansion bay (and most don’t), you will need to remove some screws on the bottom and take off the keyboard and palm rest. This process varies depending on which make and model of laptop you own; we recommend taking a look at our guide for removing keys from various computers as well as taking apart various models here: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1923862/sharpen-pictures.html
Once you have the keyboard and palm rest removed, look for a metal cover over the RAM or battery compartment that can be easily removed. Some computers have these covers simply held in by clips that need to be pushed back, while others will require screws to be taken out. After removing this cover, you will most likely see your laptop’s current graphics card below it: this is what you want to replace with your new card. Depending on how high up on the motherboard your old graphics card sits, however, you might also see some resistors and capacitors sitting between it and its slot. If so, use an electronic safe guard such as a grounding strap to avoid accidentally shocking yourself while working on the computer.
Before installing your new graphics card, remove the old one by gently pushing down on the metal clips that hold it in place and pulling it out of the slot. If there are any screws holding it in, remove them first. Once the old card is out, insert your new card into the same slot and push down on the metal clips until it is firmly in place. Replace any screws you removed earlier, put the keyboard and palm rest back on (making sure to reconnect any cables you might have disconnected), and turn your laptop back over.
Now that your new graphics card is installed, you can plug your laptop back in, boot it up, and enjoy the benefits of your new graphics card. Your computer will most likely have a program to automatically update your graphics card drivers for you, so go ahead and install these to take advantage of your computer’s faster processing speed. If you’re not sure how much faster your computer is with the new graphics card installed, download an application that benchmark tests systems such as 3D Mark or PCMark to find out.
If everything works fine reinstall OS (operating system) if OS installation disc is available or use any OS from other working laptop OS image file via usb drive or dvd.
