Curse

benmanhaha · Feb 07, 2006, 08:27 PM // 20:27

Hello all, I own a sony vaio laptop. I have never done any sort of upgrading to it, but I am now considering it, because of all the new games with such high requirements. I want to know if any of you guys can help me out. Let me know what might be helpful in creating a more gaming oriented computer.

The stats:
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
BIOS: Phoenix FirstBIOS(tm) Notebook Pro Version 2.0
Processor: Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.06GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 510MB RAM
Page File: 646MB used, 602MB available

The Graphics Stuff:
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5600 (Sony)
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX Go5600
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 1400 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Res:
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll

I don't know how to read any of that stuff, so any help would be appreciated.

EchoSex · Feb 07, 2006, 08:36 PM // 20:36

Uhm.. You can't really upgrade a laptop, dude. It's a completely different beast from a PC in that everything is built into the motherboard most of the time. You're gonna have to either buy a new laptop or build a PC.

fiery · Feb 07, 2006, 11:05 PM // 23:05

cant add on or take out. if custom built, you built what you picked.

benmanhaha · Feb 07, 2006, 11:11 PM // 23:11

I see. Well I suppose thats that. Is there any way to even upgrade my RAM? If not I guess my computer is fine as it is. Thanks for the help.

EchoSex · Feb 07, 2006, 11:13 PM // 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by benmanhaha

I see. Well I suppose thats that. Is there any way to even upgrade my RAM? If not I guess my computer is fine as it is. Thanks for the help.

Nope - the only way you can upgrade is BEFORE you purchase. A company often lets you add to it before they snap it together. After that, though - it's all over.

Old Dood · Feb 07, 2006, 11:14 PM // 23:14

You can upgrade your ram...that is about it though.

EchoSex · Feb 07, 2006, 11:16 PM // 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Dood

You can upgrade your ram...that is about it though.

On a laptop? Are you sure? I used to have a crappy ol' Voodoo and the thing had no ports on it other than outputs and inputs - no expansion slots.

Divinitys Creature · Feb 07, 2006, 11:51 PM // 23:51

Is the graphics card a PCI express card? I heard those were made specifically to make laptop graphics cards upgradable but I may be completely wrong :P

EchoSex · Feb 08, 2006, 12:09 AM // 00:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Divinitys Creature

Is the graphics card a PCI express card? I heard those were made specifically to make laptop graphics cards upgradable but I may be completely wrong :P

Hate to break it to ya, but completely wrong :P

I'm probably no better, but last I remember reading in PC GAmer, they were made to combat the AGP cards that ATI was working on. nVidia came up with the idea and used them for their SLI cards.

Mr.Style · Feb 08, 2006, 04:45 AM // 04:45

Yeah, with the Sony Vaio I am pretty sure that you can upgrade the RAM. There should be an expansion bay either on the side, or access to the mobo on the bottom. On the contrary, however, the Vaio wasn't really meant to be much of a gaming laptop so upgrading the video card won't be possible, but even for your everyday apps, a gig of RAM is almost necessary now.

EchoSex · Feb 08, 2006, 04:47 AM // 04:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Style

Yeah, with the Sony Vaio I am pretty sure that you can upgrade the RAM. There should be an expansion bay either on the side, or access to the mobo on the bottom. On the contrary, however, the Vaio wasn't really meant to be much of a gaming laptop so upgrading the video card won't be possible, but even for your everyday apps, a gig of RAM is almost necessary now.

Well, wadda ya know. I suck too x.x

Kaguya · Feb 08, 2006, 06:21 AM // 06:21

Atleast I haven't stumbled on a laptop without memory expansion possibility yet.. Then again I've pretty much only seen IBM's and HP's, those usually sport atleast one empty SO-DIMM slot for additional memory.. And removable CD-ROM bay and hard drive. Pretty much all components there can be upgraded on a standard laptop, RAM/CD-DVD-Floppy-drives/HDD.

Apparently IBM's network adapter can be changed as well as it's in a mini-PCI slot but I haven't deassembled the machine that much to see it.. plus it voids warranty. Need to do those upgrades at the factory.

EchoSex · Feb 08, 2006, 06:26 AM // 06:26

It might just be better to just either sell your laptop to start a new KAP fund (Kick Ass 'Puter), or to keep the laptop for small games and documents on the go, and save up for a new system all together.

Either way, it'll cost ya. I think over a span of 3 years, my system has had more than $6 put into it. I dunno what costs more - my car, my guns or my 'puter.

Old Dood · Feb 08, 2006, 03:27 PM // 15:27

Laptops after a while become simple Web-boxes. They can't do any of the later games...but they are still good for email,surfing,writing papers...I use an old one for just sitting in front of the TV when I want to check out some web site that the TV pops up. Plus it keeps me warm...

Omega Complex · Feb 08, 2006, 03:54 PM // 15:54

RAM is expandable, in certain laptops, even the video card is upgradeable, the hard drive is replacable. But you cant do much else. Most laptops dont allow you to upgrade the vid card either. I know with most dell laptops that you can upgrade ram (ive done it myself). Hard drives are easily swappable, and at least in one of my uber notebooks, the video card is replacable, but with the majority of notebook computers, your kinda stuck.

benmanhaha · Feb 08, 2006, 10:15 PM // 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Dood

Laptops after a while become simple Web-boxes. They can't do any of the later games...but they are still good for email,surfing,writing papers...I use an old one for just sitting in front of the TV when I want to check out some web site that the TV pops up. Plus it keeps me warm...

I firmly disagree. My laptop is my baby. It has run almost everygame I have ever put on it, it runs nicely, and its portable. It is alot better than my old desktop, but then I guess my old desktop is pretty crappy.