Can my laptop GPU be upgraded?

[Robinbar]

Hi, I have a laptop with the following specs;
Intel core i5 7300hq 2.5ghz quad core turbo up to 3.5ghz
8gb RAM
Nvidia geforce gtx 950m 2gb gddr5
Windows 10 64 bit
SSD 256gb

Is there a possibility that I can upgrade my GPU on this laptop, for instance to a gtx 1080 or something? Or is this not possible? I dont know how the GPU is connected, I red some of them are soldered onto the board. Can I upgrade this graphics card on this laptop?

 

[DSzymborski]

Depends on the exact model. Regardless, the vast majority of laptops feature GPUs that are not upgradeable. A power upgrade this significant, with a laptop designed for specific heat and power requirements, there's next-to-no chance.

 

[Robinbar]

Depends on the exact model. Regardless, the vast majority of laptops feature GPUs that are not upgradeable. A power upgrade this significant, with a laptop designed for specific heat and power requirements, there's next-to-no chance.

My Laptop is an ASUS Vivobook A550VX-DM660T

 

[Robinbar]

My laptop is an ASUS Vivobook A550VX-DM660T

 

[DSzymborski]

Depends on the exact model. Regardless, the vast majority of laptops feature GPUs that are not upgradeable. A power upgrade this significant, with a laptop designed for specific heat and power requirements, there's next-to-no chance.

My Laptop is an ASUS Vivobook A550VX-DM660T

Then no, there is no real option here. There are some laptops that use standardized MXM modules for GPUs, but we're talking the really high-end gaming laptops, the kind that cost $2000 and up.

Generally speaking, with the exception of RAM and a better hard drive, the laptop you buy is usually the laptop you'll have.

 

[Jwpanz]

No. The “m” series of the GeForce GPU’s are for mobiles and are soldered to the motherboard inside. You technically could upgrade it by taking it to a specialist that could remove it and replace it with a better one but you would spend a lot of money doing that.

There are some laptops that have desktop GPU’s inside which can be upgraded but those are extremely expensive and bulky. You’re best bet would be to either buy a newer laptop or use an external GPU dock and throw a 1080 or something in it.

 

[Robinbar]

Is an external gpu dock expensive?

 

[Jwpanz]

Depends. There are a few out there from Razor and Gigabyte and others. They usually sit around the $200 mark for just the box. However, Gigabyte (Aorus) has a box with a GPU (either a 1070 or 1080) inside found here: GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming Box DirectX 12 GV-N1080IXEB-8GD eGPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-932-011

 

[DSzymborski]

Is an external gpu dock expensive?

Unless you have Thunderbolt 3, it's not particularly worthwhile.