What are the best options for an external laptop graphics card?

[MyKeyblader]

One of my friends has a laptop she bought just 3 months ago. It has a sixth generation i5 processor and 8 gigabytes of memory, and then the usual trash built "graphics solution" offered by most non-gaming notebooks. Its a windows dell machine with a touchscreen and windows 10. She knows very little about pc hardware, and while i know a lot about building desktops, i personally dont like laptops because of the fact that upgrading options are limited. Is there a USB or dock style solution for giving her better graphics for gaming?

TL;DR Give me ideas for external graphics for a dell windows laptop, not super expensive

 

[USAFRet]

What are the best options for an external laptop graphics card?

None.

2 options
1. It's a laptop. Live with it
2. Sell it and get a desktop


There are options, but it basically turns a laptop into an expensive, underperforming desktop.
You buy a laptop for the portability. Not for the upgrade potential.

 

[dudmont]

well, I would suggest you wait until the pascal's come out on the little mobile graphics cards. Get yourself a 1060, presuming your laptop display is a 1080p display, you'll be able to play all the newest titles at max settings with no problems. I have a laptop with a 970m in it, I'm going to replace it, assuming that the mobile graphics cards are compatible, otherwise, i'll have to look for a 980 on the little mobile cards.
So, to answer your question, don't waste your time with an external. Just swap out the old gpu.

 

[Corwin65]

well, I would suggest you wait until the pascal's come out on the little mobile graphics cards. Get yourself a 1060, presuming your laptop display is a 1080p display, you'll be able to play all the newest titles at max settings with no problems. I have a laptop with a 970m in it, I'm going to replace it, assuming that the mobile graphics cards are compatible, otherwise, i'll have to look for a 980 on the little mobile cards.
So, to answer your question, don't waste your time with an external. Just swap out the old gpu.

I did not know you could swap those out.

 

[rjsq1989]

Unfortunately, there is no solution for a general laptop.
There are external graphic card devices for certain brand & model.

• 
  ■ Brand - Model - External Graphic Solution
  ■ Dell - Alienware - Amplifier
  ■ MSI - GS30 shadow - gaming dock
  ■ Razer - Blade (stealth) - Razer Core

For a general Dell laptop, there is no easy option to use external graphic. Razer Core use a thunderbolt cable as connector. If the laptop has such port, it is possible to connect Razer Core to a general laptop. However, it will be harsh for a normal user to set it up properly because it involves complex BIOS and Driver operations.

 

[USAFRet]

well, I would suggest you wait until the pascal's come out on the little mobile graphics cards. Get yourself a 1060, presuming your laptop display is a 1080p display, you'll be able to play all the newest titles at max settings with no problems. I have a laptop with a 970m in it, I'm going to replace it, assuming that the mobile graphics cards are compatible, otherwise, i'll have to look for a 980 on the little mobile cards.
So, to answer your question, don't waste your time with an external. Just swap out the old gpu.

I did not know you could swap those out.

On some, yes.
No idea if this particular laptop is applicable.