Laptop Upgrading

[Dastardos]

All right, my laptop has finally about had it. This laptop is just trash. Its fine for simple things like Firefox, but the one thing I use it for the most it fails at. The one thing is playing WoW.

I now am getting an average of around 7 frames per second, and usually lag horribly. Now I have about 600-700$ that I can spend on a new laptop but I'd prefer to just try and fix this one.

My question is, is there any way to upgrade a laptop to make it work better, or would it be better to just but a new one.

Also, please don't suggest to go out and buy a desktop, because its not going to happen.

Thanks

 

[Xyphon]

Well, if you don't want to buy a desktop, I guess you're stuck with a laptop. You can't upgrade laptops, only desktops. SOME laptops can be upgraded, though.

Me, Iwould rather spend 1k on a desktop than $700 for 5 laptops.

 

[sky14kemea]

cant you just buy a new laptop, if you dont want a desktop?

i dont know if you can upgrade laptops, ive had the same one for years now

 

[Dastardos]

Anyone?

C'mon there's gotta be something.

 

[TMAN10112]

I've read up on upgrading laptops, and it looks like the only two parts that can really be upgraded are the RAM and the graphics card.

RAM is pretty simple: Just but a stick of RAM (compatible with your laptop) with a larger storage space, and there should be a hatch somewhere on the bottom of your laptop that will open up, and allow you to replace the old one (see here for some detailed instructions).

I'm not so sure about upgrading your graphics card, as it is different with almost all laptops and only some can be upgraded, but if you want to give it a try, this is the best istructions that I could find.

 

[Dastardos]

I've read up on upgrading laptops, and it looks like the only two parts that can really be upgraded are the RAM and the graphics card.

RAM is pretty simple: Just but a stick of RAM (compatible with your laptop) with a larger storage space, and there should be a hatch somewhere on the bottom of your laptop that will open up, and allow you to replace the old one (see here for some detailed instructions).

I'm not so sure about upgrading your graphics card, as it is different with almost all laptops and only some can be upgraded, but if you want to give it a try, this is the best istructions that I could find.

I've read up on upgrading laptops, and it looks like the only two parts that can really be upgraded are the RAM and the graphics card.

RAM is pretty simple: Just but a stick of RAM (compatible with your laptop) with a larger storage space, and there should be a hatch somewhere on the bottom of your laptop that will open up, and allow you to replace the old one (see here for some detailed instructions).

I'm not so sure about upgrading your graphics card, as it is different with almost all laptops and only some can be upgraded, but if you want to give it a try, this is the best istructions that I could find.

I'm gonna try some of these things when I get back from vacation.

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

You're probably not going to be able to upgrade the graphics card, which is the most important component for gaming, but depending on your motherboard, you should be able to upgrade your CPU and RAM a little. Just be warned that it probably won't support CPUs that weren't options on your model.

If you have an Intel Integrated graphics chipset, which you likely do, you're flat out of luck on the GPU front. Even if you had a laptop with swappable graphics (unless it's a boutique gaming laptop or a CAD workstation, you most likely don't), you wouldn't have much luck finding a spare GPU at an affordable price.

What specs do you have? I'm not sure any results from an RAM/CPU upgrade would be worth the cost.

 

[Talendra]

Do you need your laptop for more than firefox and such? If not you may be better off getting a desktop and using the same laptop for this.
Have you ran virus scans to determine it's not this?
Backing up your data and reformatting the laptop may prove useful, and if not at least you will know it is a hardware problem.
If you do need to fix or get a new laptop however, I would recommend a new one. If some of the parts are going, chances are more might follow them, also it's quite easy to spend more than its worth trying to repair a laptop, and could be cheaper for a new one.

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

Backing up your data and reformatting the laptop may prove useful, and if not at least you will know it is a hardware problem..

Having Intel Integrated graphics is only loosely considered a "hardware problem."

 

[cleverlymadeup]

the only things you can update on most laptops are

RAM
CD/DVD ROM drives
keyboards
screen

but the last 2 aren't that easy

so get a new laptop or desktop if you want to upgrade

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

Very generally speaking there isn't much one can upgrade on the average laptop unfortunately. The only thing one can do to most of them is upgrade the memory and/or hard drive. Screens and keyboards can be replaced (with one of very similar dimensions) but it's quite the pain in the ass to do so.

For 600 bucks, I would recommend simply getting a good motherboard and processor and then throwing it in a cheap case with a mid tier graphics card. If you play your cards right on the board selection, you actually have quite a bit of room to expand as funds allow and your entry cost can be quite low. 1200 USD will buy you a leading edge (but not bleeding edge) system, but one can probably get the process started for about 600.