Upgrade graphics card in HP dv7-1245dx...

[apbreaux]

I have seen another similar thread, but it didn't go anywhere, so I figured I'd reintroduce the subject. I'm looking to upgrade the graphics card, but am wondering if it may be more involved than a simple swap. What is involved in this? Would motherboard need replaced? If card can be swapped, what is compatible? Link to my laptop's specs: http://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-dv7-1245dx/specs/


Thanks.

 

[popatim]

Sorry but your laptop does not have a replaceable graphics card. Most laptop don't.

 

[hang-the-9]

That is an old laptop, even if possible to upgrade it, it would cost as much to repalace it with a faster one than find parts to upgrade it.

You are probably asking the wrong question anyway. What are you trying to upgrade it for and what is your budget? A lot of people tend to ask the wrong questions like "where can I find a bucket so this blood does not get on the floor" instead of "where can I find a bandage and a doctor".

 

[apbreaux]

That is an old laptop, even if possible to upgrade it, it would cost as much to repalace it with a faster one than find parts to upgrade it.

You are probably asking the wrong question anyway. What are you trying to upgrade it for and what is your budget? A lot of people tend to ask the wrong questions like "where can I find a bucket so this blood does not get on the floor" instead of "where can I find a bandage and a doctor".

To give you an idea of what I've got planned, here's a list of current hardware along with upgrades I'm looking at:

Current:
-AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile RM-72, 2.1 GHz
-4 GB (2x 2GB) DDR2-800, SDRAM
-320 GB HDD
-ATI Raedon HD 3200 Graphics

Planned upgrades:
-AMD Phenom II N660, 3.0GHz
-Komputerbay 8 GB, (2x 4GB) PC2 DDR2-800
-Seagate 1 TB SSHD
-graphics card is not upgradeable

From what I've researched these upgrades are compatible with my system. I figured the graphics card is the last thing, but if it's non-upgradeable then that's the way it is. Thoughts?

 

[popatim]

Keep in mind that OEM's like HP, Dell.. like to limit which CPU's you can use in their systems by coding 'allowed' values into the bios. Its possible that if the laptop was never offered with that processor then it won't work with it.

 

[hang-the-9]

That is an old laptop, even if possible to upgrade it, it would cost as much to repalace it with a faster one than find parts to upgrade it.

You are probably asking the wrong question anyway. What are you trying to upgrade it for and what is your budget? A lot of people tend to ask the wrong questions like "where can I find a bucket so this blood does not get on the floor" instead of "where can I find a bandage and a doctor".

To give you an idea of what I've got planned, here's a list of current hardware along with upgrades I'm looking at:

Current:
-AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile RM-72, 2.1 GHz
-4 GB (2x 2GB) DDR2-800, SDRAM
-320 GB HDD
-ATI Raedon HD 3200 Graphics

Planned upgrades:
-AMD Phenom II N660, 3.0GHz
-Komputerbay 8 GB, (2x 4GB) PC2 DDR2-800
-Seagate 1 TB SSHD
-graphics card is not upgradeable

From what I've researched these upgrades are compatible with my system. I figured the graphics card is the last thing, but if it's non-upgradeable then that's the way it is. Thoughts?

I would not bother spending money to upgrade that system at all. You can very easily find a used much newer laptop for the cost of the upgrades. Laptops with an Intel Core i5 chip of the first few generations sell for around $200-250. Heck, I have a T420s now on ebay with a second gen i5 CPU, 8 gig of RAM and 500 gig drive that is only up to about $160 in bids now, will likely sell for about $200. I doubt your upgrades will be any cheaper and you will still end up with a slower system.

Look around for a good working laptop that is more recent is what I would suggest.

 

[apbreaux]

That is an old laptop, even if possible to upgrade it, it would cost as much to repalace it with a faster one than find parts to upgrade it.

You are probably asking the wrong question anyway. What are you trying to upgrade it for and what is your budget? A lot of people tend to ask the wrong questions like "where can I find a bucket so this blood does not get on the floor" instead of "where can I find a bandage and a doctor".

To give you an idea of what I've got planned, here's a list of current hardware along with upgrades I'm looking at:

Current:
-AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile RM-72, 2.1 GHz
-4 GB (2x 2GB) DDR2-800, SDRAM
-320 GB HDD
-ATI Raedon HD 3200 Graphics

Planned upgrades:
-AMD Phenom II N660, 3.0GHz
-Komputerbay 8 GB, (2x 4GB) PC2 DDR2-800
-Seagate 1 TB SSHD
-graphics card is not upgradeable

From what I've researched these upgrades are compatible with my system. I figured the graphics card is the last thing, but if it's non-upgradeable then that's the way it is. Thoughts?

I would not bother spending money to upgrade that system at all. You can very easily find a used much newer laptop for the cost of the upgrades. Laptops with an Intel Core i5 chip of the first few generations sell for around $200-250. Heck, I have a T420s now on ebay with a second gen i5 CPU, 8 gig of RAM and 500 gig drive that is only up to about $160 in bids now, will likely sell for about $200. I doubt your upgrades will be any cheaper and you will still end up with a slower system.

Look around for a good working laptop that is more recent is what I would suggest.

Thanks for the advice. However I think I'll try with the upgrade route at this point. I like this laptop despite it's age. I figure I can get another 2-4 years out of it with these upgrades. Then I'll spring for top model and start over again. Also, I did more research re: upgrading CPUs. Turns out you can only upgrade within the same generation. For example, I've got an s1g2 (AMD Turion X2 RM-72), and this can only be upgraded with a processor within the same family. The best one available for s1g2 is a Turion X2 Dual-Core Ultra ZM-87. It's not a huge leap, but it's enough to justify $30-40. This website had a lot of info: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/a-complete-list-of-cpu-sockets/4/

Thanks for your responses!