PCI express Graphics cards

[Merlin4458]

Hi,

I need some info/advice. I have just got a laptop (acer 4601LCI) and it has a pci express Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 900. I know that the 'pci express' bit means that I can upgrade to newer graphics cards. I want to be able to play to 'odd' game. Is it poss to upgrade and where do I find laptop graphics cards? I'm happy with my proccessor, gonna upgrade to 2gig of ram, so if i can upgrade my graphics card that'll be great.

Cheers,

John

[TheBuZZard]

Usually only way to upgrade your video card in a laptop is to buy a new laptop.

[kevpuk]

It depends on whether there is actually a graphics card slot in the laptop - most do not have such an expansion except when a specified card is already fitted.

GMA 900 is an integrated Graphics solution, using the PCI-Express architecture (whereas older chipsets such as the 855 used AGP architecture). This is a faster and better chipset than previous laptop integrated graphics - I believe it is DirectX9 compatible too, as opposed to 8.1 of earlier chipsets - but you really need to know whether there is a spare expansion slot or not.......my money is on - depressing as it may sound - there is not