Upgrading Laptop Video Card?

I have a Dell Inspiron 1545 Laptop, and I want to upgrade my video card. Now, before you answer, "Hey, dumbass, you can't upgrade a laptop video card, it's impossible." I know that I CAN upgrade it, but I'm not quite sure how. First, here are my specs:

Video Card: Intel Graphics Accelerator X4500

RAM: 3GB

Operating System: Windows Vista 32-bit (Basic)

and here's what I know about replacing the video card from research and video tutorials:

1. How to disassemble and reassemble the laptop

2. A wristband must be worn to prevent static electricity from frying the parts

3. Thermal grease must be used (but I don't know how to use it)

and here's what I'd like to know:

1. Do I need to download anything before I install the new graphics card?

2. Do I need to enter the setup menu before I start my operating system, and if so, what do I do there?

3. What do I do with the thermal grease?

4. I'm good with taking things apart and messing with them, so I'm not worried about snapping something off or scratching things up, but is there anything I should be cautious about as far as placement and removal?

Lastly, please don't just say it's impossible, because I'm well aware that it isn't, and I'm willing to take difficult and risky steps to install a new card.|||None of the people who left answers, answering, "no", do not actually know about this model and its specs. So they should not comment on a specific model they have no knowledge about. This model HAS an internal half slot for video upgrades.



But its not something easily done by anyone, and not everyone sells mini half cards. Typically upgrading a laptop internal components is done by the company/store you bought the device from. And its typically a component made by the same manufacturer of your laptop.



I didn't get the specifics from Dell regarding the location of this port. But if you don't see a large rectangular area held in by screws or a latch of some sort on the underside, its definitely not something the casual user can do.



The half port may by on the top side of the motherboard, and if thats the case, its definitely not something to tinker with.



Thermal grease is a heat transfer medium. Its used between the CPU and some GPU and the heatsink to help ensure heat is transferred to, and disappated by the heatsink. I do not believe laptop GPU require thermal grease. Its more of something for desktop upgrades.|||*sigh* Another non-believer.



If you're that sure regarding your belief, why not just open the laptop up and see if you can even FIND the video card?



You'll find that it is a part of your mainboard. Thus, to "upgrade" it, you have to replace the ENTIRE MAINBOARD.



Which is why we tell you it is impossible in the first place!



EDIT: Perhaps the point is not sinking in, so I'll try one more time.



1) Since it is a Dell, you can only get parts from Dell, or salvage another Dell, and only if it's the same series, and that's assuming that other series didn't have any major revisions that changed port placement or stuff like that. Thus, parts will cost you $$$. It's NOT something you can buy in your local Best Buy or Futureshop or whatever tech store you have nearby.



2) While Dell does offer ATI mobility Radeon as an option, it's only on "top of the line" model, which for Dell means it uses a different mainboard. In fact, Dell's upgrade website does NOT list a video card at all for your model, Inspiron 15. Instead, it has internal wireless cards, bigger hard drives, faster CPUs.



http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/categ…



3) The logical conclusion is, AGAIN, you have to replace the entire mainboard. That is NOT AN UPGRADE. That's a wholesale REPLACEMENT. And it's something Dell does NOT sell. So you will have to buy a used/ refurb / salvage one. And it would likely cost you MORE than the cost of the laptop by the time you're done, unless you're lucky and found someone who want to get rid of his laptop just because it had a cracked screen or something. Even if it DOES have a video submodule, again, you have to buy one from "gray market". And the Dell forum says there is no module. It's two different mainboard versions.



Of course it's "possible" if you want to define it that way, but then, what would be the point, unless you simply don't CARE about the cost and time you spend.



http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19…



And the the OTHER guy who said there's a slot inside... It's a MINI PCI-E slot. It is only good for those mini wireless cards they put inside. It's NOT for video!



Enough said. Go ahead and thumb down it if you like. There's a Hawaiian proverb, "Don't teach a pig to sing. it's a waste of time, and it annoys the pig."|||Make sure your motherboard is compatible with your video card!



I was going to upgrade my PCI video card to a PCI express but it wouldn't fit, even if I did disassemble everything correctly.



I am 100% positive you can find videos of what you are doing online.|||From what I can see the Video card is embedded into the board. This machine does not have an add in card.



I can see the entire motherboard and the chip is embedded on the board. There is no add in card.|||Get a professional to do so you don't void the warranty|||here is ur source

pcworld.com---sept 2008 ---page 82

get more out of ur laptop ( article ) as mr null says in his article not all can be replaced and only if it was an upgrade for that model



u can't put a third party part in that laptop no one sells them ---and ebay --well u take ur chances on it being bad or not fitting ---so if i was u ----read the article has all the pics and directions ---good luck finding the drivers for it and remember he does advise u to get the part from dell ---wonder why ? ---coz it will match ur pc and fit ---that's why ---gee u could by a new pc by the time u do this crazy swap----u might as well change the cpu it is right under the vid card ----gee how did i know that ----coz i re did my E 1705|||Not possible for that laptop and a majority of all laptops to upgrade the internal graphic card.



Why? Most laptops (like yours) uses a GPU, not a graphic cards for graphics. GPU are integrated to the motherboard and can not be removed.



The select few that have a graphic card are often proprietary, it may be hard or impossible to even find a compatible card.



Also the motherboard for laptops are often model specfic, which would have the same or similar GPU on your laptop. It would also take literally all day to remove it.



Now if the laptop has an expresscard slot, you can use an expressbox to use for an EXTERNAL desktop graphic card for your laptop.