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External graphics card?

dreamer05dreamer05 Member UncommonPosts: 679
in Hardware
I'm running a Sony Vaio model SVE151390X.

Here are my specs:

Intel Core i7 CPU 3632QM @ 2.20Ghz

16GB RAM

AMD Radeon HD 7500M/7600M @ Memory size 2048 MB / 28.8 GByte/s


I run most games and everyday applications pretty well.  I can play most MMOs on high quality, but some on only moderate quality.  I am not extremely tech savvy but from what I can see the problem is mostly my video card? (Correct me if I'm wrong.) From what I understand, Sony Vaio laptops can't upgrade their video cards, but I've heard of external graphics cards that you can connect to your laptop. Is this a thing? If so, how do I find one that works with my laptop?


Also, if there are any other comments on what could possibly need upgraded let me know, buying a new laptop isn't completely out of the question, but for right now I don't feel that mine is out of date enough to buy a completely new one.


Thanks!


image

"God, please help us sinful children of Ivalice.."

Comments

  • QuizzicalQuizzical Member LegendaryPosts: 25,493
    If games run fine at low settings but choke at high settings, the video card is usually the culprit.  And your card (basically a lower clocked version of a desktop Radeon HD 6570) shouldn't be expected to handle all that demanding of graphics.

    At some point, you basically have to say, it's had a nice life and move on.  Don't expect miracles out of a budget video card from five years ago.  Certain laptops can handle external video cards, but they don't necessarily work well, as powering the card is awkward and getting adequate bandwidth to it is impossible on most laptops.

    Why a new laptop?  If you want to play games, desktops are far superior for the purpose.  You could probably keep your old laptop for whatever you need something portable for and get a new gaming desktop for games.
  • SEANMCADSEANMCAD Member EpicPosts: 16,775
    generally speaking a externally attached video card is not a good idea.
    The closer it is to the metal the better

    Please do not respond to me, even if I ask you a question, its rhetorical.

    Please do not respond to me

  • RidelynnRidelynn Member EpicPosts: 7,383
    Yeah, unless you absolutely need to game on your lap - keep that laptop for your laptopy stuff, and just put together a desktop for gaming. Cheaper that way, and you have 2 machines.
  • dreamer05dreamer05 Member UncommonPosts: 679
    Yea prior to this laptop I was a desktop gamer, but with our small apartment right now it's not really an option. So is my processor still ok? I figured the video card was the culprit.

    image

    "God, please help us sinful children of Ivalice.."

  • RidelynnRidelynn Member EpicPosts: 7,383
    edited January 2016
    Build a SFF and hook it up to the TV?

    CPU is plenty for anything, but yeah, your right, the graphics are what are holding you back.
  • WizardryWizardry Member LegendaryPosts: 19,332
    I have rarely ever seen big improvements moving sliders all the way up,usually medium settings are just fine.So if you are enjoying games with medium settings don't worry be happy.

    Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.

  • CleffyCleffy Member RarePosts: 6,414
    There are only a couple good solutions for an external GPU and the Sony Viao won't support either. There is one way for you to improve in-game performance. Get a desktop.
    You could use it for 2 things. You can use it as your main machine, or you can use Steam to stream it to your laptop.
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