Member Avatar for torbonator

Hi,

I'm trying to play Skyrim on my laptop but I don't think my video card is good enough as my FPS averages out at 10. Just wondering if it is possible to upgrade the video card easily or am I looking at an impossible task?

I'm running:


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System Information
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Time of this report: 12/8/2011, 20:14:45
Machine name: ALEXBURTON-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Studio 1558
BIOS: Ver 1.00 BIOS A12 PARTTBLr
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.3GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3956MB RAM
Page File: 3202MB used, 4708MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

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Display Devices
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Card name: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5400 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x68E0)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68E0&SUBSYS_04131028&REV_00
Display Memory: 2736 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1014 MB
Shared Memory: 1722 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: AUO22EC
Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (60.008Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1041 (English)
Driver Version:

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Dani AI

Generated

Quick answer: upgrading the internal GPU in that Studio-series laptop is not a practical option — ’s point is correct. Most consumer notebooks have the GPU integrated into the laptop’s system board (not a removable card), so replacing the video chip means replacing the whole system board or buying a different machine. (graphicscardhub.com)

If you still want more graphics performance without replacing the laptop internals, there are two realistic paths — both have limits. An external-GPU setup (eg. Thunderbolt or older ExpressCard adapters) can give a solid boost at desktop-GPU cost, but bandwidth and compatibility will bottleneck performance and setup can be fiddly. The Studio 1558 service manual shows an ExpressCard board, so an ExpressCard-to-PCIe eGPU route is technically possible, but it’s not plug-and-play and yields far less than a native GPU. (downloads.dell.com)

Lower-cost, immediate options usually give the best value: install the latest graphics drivers, set Windows power plan to High Performance, close background apps, and drop in-game settings that hit fill-rate or CPU (shadows, view distance, AA, draw distance). Community optimization guides for Skyrim list the specific prefs and INI tweaks that help most on low-end systems. Also consider inexpensive upgrades that actually are user-replaceable on this model — more RAM and an SSD — before attempting anything exotic. (steamcommunity.com)

Bottom line: for playable Skyrim performance on a laptop this age, software tuning + RAM/SSD are the cheapest wins. External GPU rigs work but are complex and expensive; replacing the system board just to swap the GPU is usually not cost-effective — buying a modern gaming laptop or desktop typically gives far better value per frame. (tomshardware.com)

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Member Avatar for caperjack

hello ,not many laptops have the option to change the video device as its almost always soldered to the motherboard ,ones that do have the option are usually dedicated ,sold as gaming laptops like the dell Alienware brand .that why its always bect to check on the specs and suggested use of the laptop when buying it .form what i read on google its clearly not a gamer ,a entertainment laptop at best/movies /photo editing .ect ect

side note ,i see from you computer specs that you and i share something ,our last names .

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
Member Avatar for torbonator

Gah wasted £70 on collectors edition of skyrim ah well :P

that is an hilarious coincidence :P

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