[huyu]

This doesn't quite qualify for "PC building" so I am posting it here. If the mods see an issue with that they are more than welcome to move it.

As you might have deduced from the title I have a Fujitsu Amilo Pi 3650, which isn't quite living up to my standards.
Now, I do know it's unorthodox to want to upgrade a laptop instead of buying a tower. But I just don't have the funds for something like that.

What I am looking for is some advice on how to upgrade the GPU. I am aware that the CPU isn't upgrade-able as it's glued on etc.

I have been "looking in to" e-GPU's but I have no idea where to start, and I am not sure if it is possible to replace my current GPU.

Fujitsu Amilo Pi 3650 specs:
OS:
MS Windows 7 64-bit
CPU:
Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo T6600 @ 2.20GHz
RAM:
4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 398MHz
Motherboard:
FUJITSU EF7A (U2E1)
Graphics (GPU):
NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M
Hard drive:
488GB Fujitsu MJA2500BH G2 SATA

TL;DR I am a fucking moron who bought a laptop instead of a tower a few years ago and want to upgrade the GPU.

[Shadaez]

Not really worth it. An eGPU will require you to have: A PSU, GPU, Monitor and whatever else you need to hook it up to the laptop. At that point you're just a motherboard, CPU, HDD and case away from a PC.
edit: and RAM

[huyu]

Shadaez posted:

Not really worth it. An eGPU will require you to have: A PSU, GPU, Monitor and whatever else you need to hook it up to the laptop. At that point you're just a motherboard, CPU, HDD and case away from a PC.

As I said I am aware of how "unorthodox" this is.
I would save more money like this though.
Even if I build a new computer from scratch picking every component myself, i'd save money either upgrading the current GPU or getting an e-GPU.

Even if what I save isn't a lot, it's something. I am on a tight budget here.
(Don't think I am discarding you advice, it is helpful but not what I am looking for.)

[Shadaez]

And what's the budget?

[huyu]

Shadaez posted:

And what's the budget?

Sounds silly, but I can't pay too little.
At the time I am practically broke when it comes to computer components.
I might be able to buy the components (GPU, CPU and PSU) one at a time, with a month between. As that's when I get paid.

Basically (ignorant as it sounds) I need general advice on what I can do with as little as possible.
And using my current laptop as base for that.

[bohb]

huyu posted:

What I am looking for is some advice on how to upgrade the GPU. I am aware that the CPU isn't upgrade-able as it's glued on etc.

Lmao, "glued on"?

Most laptop CPUs are in sockets. Yours specifically would be a Socket P, which is upgradeable. Your laptop has an Intel PM45 chipset and can support up to a T9900 dual core (3.06 GHz x 2):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-T9900-SL...item41652225ab

or a Q9100 (2.26 GHz x 4)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/INTEL-CORE-Q...item1e6d304a11

[huyu]

bohb posted:

Lmao, "glued on"?

Most laptop CPUs are in sockets. Yours specifically would be a Socket P, which is upgradeable. Your laptop has an Intel PM45 chipset and can support up to a T9900 dual core (3.06 GHz x 2):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-T9900-SL...item41652225ab

or a Q9100 (2.26 GHz x 4)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/INTEL-CORE-Q...item1e6d304a11

This is great news, I've been told that it's probably either glued on or soldered in a manner which makes removal hell.
Do you have anything on the GPU?

[bohb]

Some laptops do have the CPU soldered on the motherboard, usually on a BGA package. Laptops with socketed CPUs generally either have the CPU located on the bottom of the laptop and hidden by a door, or under the keyboard.

Most laptops generally have soldered in GPUs that can't be upgraded, so you're likely stuck. Very few high end laptops have mini-PCIe slots and have the GPU on a proprietary card, but finding a better version that's compatible with the laptop in question is nearly impossible, assuming it can tolerate the extra heat output.

[huyu]

bohb posted:

Some laptops do have the CPU soldered on the motherboard, usually on a BGA package. Laptops with socketed CPUs generally either have the CPU located on the bottom of the laptop and hidden by a door, or under the keyboard.

Most laptops generally have soldered in GPUs that can't be upgraded, so you're likely stuck. Very few high end laptops have mini-PCIe slots and have the GPU on a proprietary card, but finding a better version that's compatible with the laptop in question is nearly impossible, assuming it can tolerate the extra heat output.

Well I do have a mini-PCIe slot atleast. But I am unsure of whether the GPU is on a proprietary card or not.(Unless it is as I suspect and me having a PCIe slot means the GPU IS on a proprietary card.)

[[EG] Pepper]

That "proprietary" card is called MXM actually.