Notebook graphics cards are scarce!

Either that, or I'm an idiot...

from GalCiv2 Forums
I have for the past month been looking for a upgraded graphics card for my Thinkpad G41. So far, I have looked at nVidia GeForce Go 6600 and ATI Mobility Radeon x700 series, but everytime I search for a specific product either on the manufacturer's web page or even a third party page such as Amazon or Best Buy, I cannot find any cards for notebooks but only ones for desktops. Any of you all know of any links that can take me a site that I can purchse from? It would save me some stress and interent woes.

Cheers.
7,577 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Video cards for laptops are often tightly integrated with the motherboard. In general, you won't find any upgrades except perhaps though the labtop manufacturer. Even then I'm not so sure.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well, I contacted the manufacturer of my notebook, which is IBM, and they have told me that the cards would be compatible with my notebook. I'm completely new to this, so any ideas about what to do would be welcomed.

Cheers.
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
most laptop graphic cards are installed as OEM by the manufacturer.

I suggest looking up where you bought your laptop, see if they can get one and install it.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
99% of laptops cannot have their graphics cards updated. IBM doesn't even make laptops anymore, they sold their laptop business to a company called Lenovo in 2004. Did you buy your laptop before or after Lenovo took over IBM's PC business?
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Oh yeah, I mean Lenovo. Sorry about the confusion.

Cheers.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
As someone who does PC repair work for Circuit City I will tell you that some laptops are easy to upgrade, about as hard as changing your laptop ram (assuming the ram is not located under the keyboard and a piece of metal thats soddered to the motherboard) but others will have the graphics card soddered and basically cannot be upgraded without risking damage to the mobo. There really isn't anyother way to find out but to remove the keyboard and/or case. I have found that manufacturers are often wrong about whether the card is removeable or not
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You can't really upgrade graphics card for laptops. There are some, but IBM line is for sure not upgradable in most part. The graphic chip in most laptops are soldered in. Its similar to a built in graphics card in motherboards. The only option is to replace the motherboard for that laptop and your better off buying a new laptop.

One option you may try is a USB 2.0 graphic card. I've only seen that once, but you can try googling it. (I hate google, but damn, its so useful)