Steps to follow to change the graphics card of the laptop
Knowing how to change the laptop graphics card yourself is important if you don’t want to spend money on technical support. However, you must be sure that your computer allows this change before purchasing a new internal graphics card. Also, you will have the option to install an external graphics card, but this is also not possible on all laptops.
How do I know what graphics card I have?
Before thinking about changing the graphics card, you should know which one your gaming laptop has installed. For example, you can see the graphics card for Windows 10 just by typing the code “dxdiag” in the bottom search bar. By doing so, you will not only see the model of your graphics card, but also other important data, for example, the processor that your computer has.
Some laptops have a dedicated and integrated graphics card at the same time. To find out if your computer has one or both pieces of hardware, we recommend using the GPU-Z application. Once installed, at the bottom you can select between two options, in case you have a dedicated card.
If your computer only has an integrated graphics card, it means that you will not be able to upgrade it, since this type of card is soldered to the motherboard or included in the processor. Also, it should be noted that if you need a graphics card for Fortnite or the new Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, the integrated models may not be compatible, as they are quite demanding titles.
On the other hand, keep in mind that your laptop may have an AMD or Nvidia graphics card (when it is dedicated). In that case, the card is inserted as if it were a RAM memory, but with a size greater than this. Therefore, it has higher power consumption and even requires powerful cooling.
How to know if I can change the graphics card of the laptop?
Another aspect that you should know is that laptops often come with stickers for the processor and dedicated graphics card. If it only has a sticker for the processor, it is very likely that you will not be able to add a dedicated graphics card, since that means that its graphics are integrated. In other words, it does not have a special port to mount dedicated graphics cards.
But don’t be discouraged, because below we will explain how to install an external graphics card via Thunderbolt 3.
How to change the internal graphics card correctly?
To update an Nvidia or AMD graphics card, you must purchase a complete kit. In other words, you have to buy the graphics card with the cooling accessories, for example, cooling tubes, since the most recommended thing is to update them as well, so that this aspect does not cause problems in the future.
Before buying the new graphics card, ask the manufacturer if it is compatible with your laptop model. Being sure of this, there is nothing left but to make the purchase and start with the installation.
When you go to install the new laptop graphics card you need to remove the battery and the bottom cover screws. Let’s say you’re going to disassemble the laptop a bit, so you can access the old graphics card for easy removal. In addition, the cooling tubes connect to the main fan of your laptop, in that sense, many times you have to disassemble the entire equipment.
Generally speaking, a desktop graphics card is much easier to upgrade. Go thinking about it before starting to assemble your new card in the laptop, you will need patience and a lot of concentration, to know where each screw or removed piece goes.
Once assembled, place the battery and turn it on. Windows should detect the new graphics card automatically. If not, disable the integrated card and restart your computer. If the problem persists, it is very likely that you need to update the BIOS.
On the other hand, it is best to do the assembly alone, since this way you will be able to concentrate better on each step. For example, we recommend that you lock the dog door so that your pet stays away when you make the change.
How to install an external graphics card for laptop?
The AORUS GTX 1070 Gaming Box is one of the best options when you cannot change the graphics card that comes with your laptop. The impressive eGPU (external graphics card) plugs into your laptop’s Thunderbolt 3 port to boost its graphics performance.
In addition, this graphics card for PC comes with a fan and 100W of power, so you can charge your laptop while you play. In addition, it has 8 GB of GDDR5X RAM, for more storage space in real time. This means that modern games will run on your laptop without any hiccups. Even on the back of the card it has 3 USB 3.0 ports, HDMI output, among other options. In this way, you can connect an external monitor or TV directly to it.
Configure the Nvidia control panel for maximum performance
First, you need to open the Nvidia control panel in Windows 10. To do this, press the left mouse click on the Nvidia icon in the bottom bar of Windows 10. Among the options you will see Panel, simply click there and voila, you will have the panel open.
Inside the control panel, go to the screen and change the options that you think should be improved. For example, select the native resolution of your screen. In this way, you will see in greater detail the operating system and various applications, for example, Premier Pro, Pro Tools, Corel Draw or various video games. Also, keep in mind that some video games do not support different screen resolutions. Enter the game settings and you will see what screen resolution it recommends for you.
Another improvement you can make for maximum graphics performance is to change the Dynamic Range option. You can find it in “Video > Video color settings”. Change the option from “Limited” to “Full”. In this way, you will enjoy better performance in terms of colors.
