Making my laptop perform...

[marshall5]

I have an HP ZX5000 laptop which has 512mb ram, a 2.8ghz processor, and the ATI Radeon 9200 (I believe) 64mb graphics. When I play any higher resolution game (or when multitasking), I get a fair amount of lag from the system. I'm a little confused as to just what area of hardware keeps things moving quickly while playing a game. Is it ram, the ecu, or my graphics card? (I imagine probably a combination of the three)

Anyways, I'd like to upgrade the systems gaming potential to the near maximum. Which upgrade should I perform first? Should I upgrade ram as well as a video card? If so, how much ram is adequate? What is the best video card for a laptop? Thanks!

 

[marshall5]

Is the ATI X800 video card compatible with my HP? Is it the best performing video card out for laptops?

 

[SHAWN]

Those cards are integrated into the system i believe. Upgrading them is not possible. Someone corrct me if I am wrong.

 

[marshall5]

Is that something specific to HP's?

 

[DJ-CHRIS]

Even if it was pysically possible to put a newer card in your laptop, a newer card would require more power than your laptop could supply

It's your 9200 holding you down,

 

[marshall5]

Hmm, so I'm screwed? I would have to buy a laptop with a pre-installed card which is better? If that's the case I guess I'll build a better home pc.

 

[ThE_MarD]

Heyyo,

Laptops are good, but they should've standardized a more upgradeable laptop, especially videocard-wise. Yes marshall, you're screwed buddy, sry. Just keep your settings low for decent framerates, cause a 9200 ain't a very good vidcard for gaming man.. it's very low-end these days. Bare minimum.

Indeed build a better home pc. If you want help many of the fourm-goers here are always happy to slap together good comp rigs. You can check other posts for people we've built comps for, some with really low budgets ($726 budgets, lol, DJ-Chris, that setup was crazy with just 38 cents to spare man, I give you soo much credit on that, lol).

 

[Jorsoft]

Most laptops aren't upgradeable in the graphics department, so yes I'd say you're sol there. Thankfully my Inspiron 8100 was able to be upgraded. Not even close to a high-end gaming machine but it runs WoW good enough for me along with a couple older games.