Replacement Video Card and Processor

[Rowan]

I'm considering upgrading my video card and processor for my laptop. I currently have an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU @ 2.60 GHz (or rather two of them, I guess). My video card is an nvidia GeForce 8600M GS.

What are some of the new components that would actually fit into the laptop in place of the ones I currently have?

[donnato]

Hiya Rowan,I was thinking of upgrading my processor in my old laptop and in my questioning of other, more knowledgeable people the main concern for laptops is cooling.You may be able to find a faster processor that`ll fit your socket but there won`t be much you can do with the native cooling apparatus. A core duo 2.60 shouldn`t be a problem.But by all means ask as many questions as you have.

As to the grafix it`s generally built into the mother board and unless you`re really good with pulling your rig all the way apart and unsoldering tiny pcboard connections and resoldering a new component in...then refitting everything back into the case properly...you might want to explore external options. We`re talking major surgery here.What is your RAM and HDD?

[Rowan]

ah, that changes things a bit... I thought that you could pretty much just plug and play...

I have 4 Gigs of RAM and my HDD is 298 Gigs

[darkstone]

Laptops are not the easiest things in the world to upgrade,usually only the very top range models let you swop components easily.As don explained even with a laptop that supports upgrading,cooling is always going to be an issue and the act of swopping out items is going to require major surgery.Most laptops are just not able to be upgraded at all,it would help if you could post your make and model i.e. Toshiba A3200e.

[donnato]

Yupyup, at 2.60 your processor should be no slouch and the same for the 8800 gfx card,with 4G of ram the only think I would do is upgrade your harddrive. A larger capacity and faster rpm may help and they`re very affordable if you shop around.What kind of security are you running? Some can be very "Heavy"and slow your system alot.

[Rowan]

I was considering getting a solid state hard drive...

I'm currently running Norton 360 antivirus. Soon to be getting windows 7. I use gamebooster to turn off unnecessary processes when playing games.

Note that my computer doesn't recognize that I have the video card that I have - because I don't currently have a driver installed.

Here is my DXdiag report:

------------------

System Information

------------------

Time of this report: 6/26/2010, 17:53:54

Machine name: EVANS-PC

Operating System: Windows Vistaâ„¢ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080425-1930)

Language: English (Regional Setting: English)

System Manufacturer: Intel Corporation

System Model: Crestline & ICH8M Chipset

BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL

Processor: Intel® Core2 Duo CPU T9500 @ 2.60GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.6GHz

Memory: 3070MB RAM

Page File: 867MB used, 5472MB available

Windows Dir: C:\Windows

DirectX Version: DirectX 10

DX Setup Parameters: Not found

DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode

------------

DxDiag Notes

------------

Display Tab 1: No problems found.

Sound Tab 1: No problems found.

Sound Tab 2: No problems found.

Sound Tab 3: No problems found.

Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------

DirectX Debug Levels

--------------------

Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)

DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)

DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)

DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)

DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)

DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)

DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------

Display Devices

---------------

Card name: Standard VGA Graphics Adapter

Manufacturer: (Standard display types)

Chip type: NVIDIA

DAC type: 8 bit

Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0425&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_A1

Display Memory: n/a

Dedicated Memory: n/a

Shared Memory: n/a

Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (1Hz)

Monitor:

Driver Name: vga

Driver Version: 6.00.6001.18000 (English)

DDI Version: unknown

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

Driver Date/Size: 1/20/2008 20:24:50, 10752 bytes

WHQL Logo'd: Yes

WHQL Date Stamp:

Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4765-11CF-9135-56B50EC2CB35}

Vendor ID: 0x10DE

Device ID: 0x0425

SubSys ID: 0x82271071

Revision ID: 0x00A1

Revision ID: 0x00A1

Video Accel:

Deinterlace Caps: n/a

DDraw Status: Not Available

D3D Status: Not Available

AGP Status: Not Available

-------------

Sound Devices

-------------

Description: Speakers (2- High Definition Audio Device)

Default Sound Playback: Yes

Default Voice Playback: Yes

Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0883&SUBSYS_10718227&REV_1000

Manufacturer ID: 1

Product ID: 100

Type: WDM

Driver Name: HdAudio.sys

Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387 (English)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

WHQL Logo'd: Yes

Date and Size: 11/2/2006 01:36:49, 235520 bytes

Other Files:

Driver Provider: Microsoft

HW Accel Level: Basic

Cap Flags: 0xF1F

Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000

Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0

Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0

HW Memory: 0

Voice Management: No

EAX 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No

I3DL2 Listen/Src: No, No

Sensaura ZoomFX: No

Description: Digital Output Device (HDMI) (High Definition Audio Device)

Default Sound Playback: No

Default Voice Playback: No

Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0268&SUBSYS_10718228&REV_1000

Manufacturer ID: 1

Product ID: 100

Type: WDM

Driver Name: HdAudio.sys

Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387 (English)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

WHQL Logo'd: Yes

Date and Size: 11/2/2006 01:36:49, 235520 bytes

Other Files:

Driver Provider: Microsoft

HW Accel Level: Basic

Cap Flags: 0xF1F

Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000

Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0

Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0

HW Memory: 0

Voice Management: No

EAX 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No

I3DL2 Listen/Src: No, No

Sensaura ZoomFX: No

Description: Digital Output Device (SPDIF) (2- High Definition Audio Device)

Default Sound Playback: No

Default Voice Playback: No

Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0883&SUBSYS_10718227&REV_1000

Manufacturer ID: 1

Product ID: 100

Type: WDM

Driver Name: HdAudio.sys

Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387 (English)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

WHQL Logo'd: Yes

Date and Size: 11/2/2006 01:36:49, 235520 bytes

Other Files:

Driver Provider: Microsoft

HW Accel Level: Basic

Cap Flags: 0xF1F

Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000

Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0

Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0

HW Memory: 0

Voice Management: No

EAX 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No

I3DL2 Listen/Src: No, No

Sensaura ZoomFX: No

---------------------

Sound Capture Devices

---------------------

Description: Microphone (2- High Definition Audio Device)

Default Sound Capture: Yes

Default Voice Capture: Yes

Driver Name: HdAudio.sys

Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387 (English)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

Date and Size: 11/2/2006 01:36:49, 235520 bytes

Cap Flags: 0x1

Format Flags: 0xFFFFF

-------------------

DirectInput Devices

-------------------

Device Name: Mouse

Attached: 1

Controller ID: n/a

Vendor/Product ID: n/a

FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard

Attached: 1

Controller ID: n/a

Vendor/Product ID: n/a

FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No

-----------

USB Devices

-----------

+ USB Root Hub

| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x2832

| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub

| Service: usbhub

| Driver: usbhub.sys, 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 194560 bytes

| Driver: usbd.sys, 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 5888 bytes

----------------

Gameport Devices

----------------

------------

PS/2 Devices

------------

+ Standard PS/2 Keyboard

| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303

| Service: i8042prt

| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 1/20/2008 20:23:20, 54784 bytes

| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 1/20/2008 20:23:23, 35384 bytes

|

+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver

| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd

| Upper Filters: kbdclass

| Service: TermDD

| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 1/20/2008 20:23:20, 54784 bytes

| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 1/20/2008 20:23:23, 35384 bytes

|

+ Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad

| Matching Device ID: *syn0c06

| Upper Filters: SynTP

| Service: i8042prt

|

+ HID-compliant mouse

| Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC045

| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse

| Service: mouhid

| Driver: mouhid.sys, 1/20/2008 20:23:20, 15872 bytes

| Driver: mouclass.sys, 1/20/2008 20:23:20, 34360 bytes

|

+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver

| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou

| Upper Filters: mouclass

| Service: TermDD

| Driver: termdd.sys, 1/20/2008 20:23:01, 54328 bytes

| Driver: sermouse.sys, 1/20/2008 20:23:20, 19968 bytes

| Driver: mouclass.sys, 1/20/2008 20:23:20, 34360 bytes

------------------------

Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives

------------------------

Drive: C:

Free Space: 98.7 GB

Total Space: 305.2 GB

File System: NTFS

Model: WDC WD3200BEVT-00ZCT0 ATA Device

Drive: D:

Model: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-T20N ATA Device

Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:02, 67072 bytes

--------------

System Devices

--------------

Name: Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4229&SUBSYS_11008086&REV_61\4&1B52AB37&0&00E0

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\NETw4v32.sys, 11.05.0000.0032 (English), 9/26/2007 14:12:22, 2251776 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\NETw4c32.dll, 11.05.0000.0000 (English), 8/27/2007 19:12:00, 745472 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\NETw4r32.dll, 11.05.0000.0000 (English), 8/27/2007 19:12:58, 2777088 bytes

Name: PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A01&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&08

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:01, 151096 bytes

Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A00&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&00

Driver: n/a

Name: Intel® ICH8M Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 2850

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2850&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&F9

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\intelide.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:00, 17976 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pciidex.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:00, 45112 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:00, 21560 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\ataport.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:00, 110136 bytes

Name: High Definition Audio Controller

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_284B&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&D8

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\hdaudbus.sys, 6.00.6001.17036 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:22, 53760 bytes

Name: Intel® ICH8 Family PCI Express Root Port 4 - 2845

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2845&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&E3

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:01, 151096 bytes

Name: Intel® ICH8 Family PCI Express Root Port 3 - 2843

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2843&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&E2

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:01, 151096 bytes

Name: Intel® ICH8 Family PCI Express Root Port 1 - 283F

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_283F&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&E0

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:01, 151096 bytes

Name: Intel® ICH8 Family SMBus Controller - 283E

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_283E&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&FB

Driver: n/a

Name: Intel® ICH8 Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 283A

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_283A&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&D7

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbehci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 39424 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 226304 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 194560 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\hccoin.dll, 6.00.6000.16386 (English), 11/2/2006 03:46:05, 8704 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\hcrstco.dll, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 15872 bytes

Name: Intel® ICH8 Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 2836

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2836&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&EF

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbehci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 39424 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 226304 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 194560 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\hccoin.dll, 6.00.6000.16386 (English), 11/2/2006 03:46:05, 8704 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\hcrstco.dll, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 15872 bytes

Name: Intel® ICH8 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2835

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2835&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&D1

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbuhci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 23552 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 226304 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 194560 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\hcrstco.dll, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 15872 bytes

Name: Intel® ICH8 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2834

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2834&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&D0

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbuhci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 23552 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 226304 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 194560 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\hcrstco.dll, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 15872 bytes

Name: Intel® ICH8 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2832

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2832&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&EA

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbuhci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 23552 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 226304 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 194560 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\hcrstco.dll, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 15872 bytes

Name: Intel® ICH8 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2831

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2831&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&E9

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbuhci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 23552 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 226304 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 194560 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\hcrstco.dll, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 15872 bytes

Name: Intel® ICH8 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2830

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2830&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&E8

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbuhci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 23552 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 226304 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 194560 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\hcrstco.dll, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:03, 15872 bytes

Name: Standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2829&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&FA

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\msahci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:00, 28728 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pciidex.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:00, 45112 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:00, 21560 bytes

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\ataport.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:00, 110136 bytes

Name: Intel® ICH8M-E LPC Interface Controller - 2815

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2815&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_03\3&21436425&0&F8

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\msisadrv.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:01, 16440 bytes

Name: Intel® 82801 PCI Bridge - 2448

Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2448&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_F3\3&21436425&0&F0

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:01, 151096 bytes

Name: Realtek RTL8101 Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIC (NDIS 6.0)

Device ID: PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8136&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_01\4&65CFDE5&0&00E2

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\Rtlh86.sys, 6.1837.0926.2006 (English), 11/2/2006 01:30:56, 44544 bytes

Name: Standard VGA Graphics Adapter

Device ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0425&SUBSYS_82271071&REV_A1\4&3CA11D1&0&0008

Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\vgapnp.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 20:23:02, 26112 bytes

------------------

DirectShow Filters

------------------

DirectShow Filters:

WMAudio Decoder DMO,0x00800800,1,1,,

WMAPro over S/PDIF DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,

WMSpeech Decoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,

MP3 Decoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,

Mpeg4s Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,

WMV Screen decoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,

WMVideo Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,

Mpeg43 Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,

Mpeg4 Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,

Full Screen Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

Multiple File Output,0x00200000,2,2,WMM2FILT.dll,

WMT Black Frame Generator,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

WMT Import Filter,0x00200000,0,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

DV Muxer,0x00400000,0,0,,6.06.6001.18000

Color Space Converter,0x00400001,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

WMT Interlacer,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

WM ASF Reader,0x00400000,0,0,,11.00.6001.7000

Screen Capture filter,0x00200000,0,1,wmpsrcwp.dll,11.00.6001.7000

AVI Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

VGA 16 Color Ditherer,0x00400000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

Microsoft MPEG-2 Video Decoder,0x005fffff,2,4,msmpeg2vdec.dll,11.00.6001.7000

AC3 Parser Filter,0x00600000,1,1,mpg2splt.ax,6.06.6001.18000

WMT Format Conversion,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

9x8Resize,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

StreamBufferSink,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,6.06.6001.18000

WMT Virtual Source,0x00200000,0,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

Microsoft TV Caption Decoder,0x00200001,1,0,MSTVCapn.dll,6.00.6001.18000

MJPEG Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

CBVA DMO wrapper filter,0x00200000,1,1,cbva.dll,6.00.6001.18000

MPEG-I Stream Splitter,0x00600000,1,2,,6.06.6001.18389

SAMI (CC) Parser,0x00400000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

VBI Codec,0x00600000,1,4,VBICodec.ax,6.06.6001.18000

MPEG-2 Splitter,0x005fffff,1,0,mpg2splt.ax,6.06.6001.18000

WMT AudioAnalyzer,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

Microsoft MPEG-2 Video Encoder,0x00200000,2,0,msmpeg2enc.dll,11.00.6001.7000

Stretch Video,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

Internal Script Command Renderer,0x00800001,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

MPEG Audio Decoder,0x03680001,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

DV Splitter,0x00600000,1,2,,6.06.6001.18000

Video Mixing Renderer 9,0x00200000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

Microsoft MPEG-2 Encoder,0x00200000,2,1,msmpeg2enc.dll,11.00.6001.7000

Frame Eater,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

Allocator Fix,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

ACM Wrapper,0x00600000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

Video Renderer,0x00800001,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

MPEG-2 Video Stream Analyzer,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,6.06.6001.18000

Capture ASF Writer,0x00200000,0,0,WMM2FILT.dll,

Line 21 Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18000

Video Port Manager,0x00600000,2,1,,6.06.6001.18389

Video Renderer,0x00400000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

Bitmap Generate,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

Proxy Sink,0x00200000,1,0,WMM2FILT.dll,

Proxy Source,0x00200000,0,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

WM ASF Writer,0x00400000,0,0,,11.00.6001.7000

VBI Surface Allocator,0x00600000,1,1,vbisurf.ax,6.00.6001.18000

WMT Sample Information Filter,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

File writer,0x00200000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18000

DVD Navigator,0x00200000,0,3,,6.06.6001.18000

WMT DV Extract,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

Overlay Mixer2,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18000

AVI Draw,0x00600064,9,1,,6.06.6001.18389

Microsoft MPEG-2 Audio Encoder,0x00200000,2,0,msmpeg2enc.dll,11.00.6001.7000

WST Pager,0x00800000,1,1,WSTPager.ax,6.06.6001.18000

MPEG-2 Demultiplexer,0x00600000,1,1,mpg2splt.ax,6.06.6001.18000

Record Queue,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

DV Video Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18000

SampleGrabber,0x00200000,1,1,qedit.dll,6.06.6001.18000

Null Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,qedit.dll,6.06.6001.18000

WMT Log Filter,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

MPEG-2 Sections and Tables,0x005fffff,1,0,Mpeg2Data.ax,6.06.6001.18000

Microsoft AC3 Encoder,0x00200000,1,1,msac3enc.dll,11.00.6001.7000

WMT Virtual Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,WMM2FILT.dll,

StreamBufferSource,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,6.06.6001.18000

Smart Tee,0x00200000,1,2,,6.06.6001.18000

Overlay Mixer,0x00200000,0,0,,6.06.6001.18000

AVI Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

WMT MuxDeMux Filter,0x00200000,0,0,WMM2FILT.dll,

NetBridge,0x00200000,2,0,netbridge.dll,6.01.6001.18000

AVI/WAV File Source,0x00400000,0,2,,6.06.6001.18389

WMT Volume,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

Wave Parser,0x00400000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

MIDI Parser,0x00400000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

Multi-file Parser,0x00400000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

File stream renderer,0x00400000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

WMT VIH2 Fix,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

Microsoft MPEG-1/DD Audio Decoder,0x005fffff,1,1,msmpeg2adec.dll,11.00.6001.7000

AVI Mux,0x00200000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18000

Line 21 Decoder 2,0x00600002,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

File Source (Async.),0x00400000,0,1,,6.06.6001.18389

File Source (URL),0x00400000,0,1,,6.06.6001.18389

Media Center Extender Encryption Filter,0x00200000,2,2,Mcx2Filter.dll,6.01.6001.18000

AudioRecorder WAV Dest,0x00200000,0,0,,6.00.6001.18000

AudioRecorder Wave Form,0x00200000,0,0,,6.00.6001.18000

SoundRecorder Null Renderer,0x00200000,0,0,,6.00.6001.18000

Infinite Pin Tee Filter,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18000

WMT Switch Filter,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

Enhanced Video Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,evr.dll,6.00.6001.18000

Uncompressed Domain Shot Detection Filter,0x00200000,1,1,WMM2FILT.dll,

BDA MPEG2 Transport Information Filter,0x00200000,2,0,psisrndr.ax,6.06.6001.18000

MPEG Video Decoder,0x40000001,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

WDM Streaming Tee/Splitter Devices:

Tee/Sink-to-Sink Converter,0x00200000,1,1,,6.00.6001.18000

Video Compressors:

WMVideo8 Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,

WMVideo9 Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,

MSScreen 9 encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,

DV Video Encoder,0x00200000,0,0,,6.06.6001.18000

MJPEG Compressor,0x00200000,0,0,,6.06.6001.18389

Cinepak Codec by Radius,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18000

Intel IYUV codec,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18000

Intel IYUV codec,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18000

Microsoft RLE,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18000

Microsoft Video 1,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18000

Audio Compressors:

WM Speech Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,

WMAudio Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,

IMA ADPCM,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

PCM,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

Microsoft ADPCM,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

GSM 6.10,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

CCITT A-Law,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

CCITT u-Law,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

MPEG Layer-3,0x00200000,1,1,,6.06.6001.18389

Audio Capture Sources:

Microphone (2- High Definition ,0x00200000,0,0,,6.06.6001.18000

Midi Renderers:

Default MidiOut Device,0x00800000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth,0x00200000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

WDM Streaming Capture Devices:

HD Audio Microphone 2,0x00200000,1,1,,6.00.6001.18000

WDM Streaming Rendering Devices:

HD Audio HDMI out,0x00200000,1,1,,6.00.6001.18000

HD Audio Headphone/Speakers,0x00200000,1,1,,6.00.6001.18000

HD Audio SPDIF out,0x00200000,1,1,,6.00.6001.18000

BDA Network Providers:

Microsoft ATSC Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSDvbNP.ax,6.06.6000.16386

Microsoft DVBC Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSDvbNP.ax,6.06.6000.16386

Microsoft DVBS Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSDvbNP.ax,6.06.6000.16386

Microsoft DVBT Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSDvbNP.ax,6.06.6000.16386

Microsoft Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSNP.ax,6.06.6001.18000

Multi-Instance Capable VBI Codecs:

VBI Codec,0x00600000,1,4,VBICodec.ax,6.06.6001.18000

BDA Transport Information Renderers:

BDA MPEG2 Transport Information Filter,0x00600000,2,0,psisrndr.ax,6.06.6001.18000

MPEG-2 Sections and Tables,0x00600000,1,0,Mpeg2Data.ax,6.06.6001.18000

BDA CP/CA Filters:

Decrypt/Tag,0x00600000,1,0,EncDec.dll,6.06.6001.18000

Encrypt/Tag,0x00200000,0,0,EncDec.dll,6.06.6001.18000

XDS Codec,0x00200000,0,0,EncDec.dll,6.06.6001.18000

WDM Streaming Communication Transforms:

Tee/Sink-to-Sink Converter,0x00200000,1,1,,6.00.6001.18000

Audio Renderers:

Speakers (2- High Definition Au,0x00200000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

Default DirectSound Device,0x00800000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

Default WaveOut Device,0x00200000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

Digital Output Device (HDMI) (H,0x00200000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

Digital Output Device (SPDIF) (,0x00200000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

DirectSound: Digital Output Device (HDMI) (High Definition Audio Device),0x00200000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

DirectSound: Digital Output Device (SPDIF) (2- High Definition Audio Device),0x00200000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

DirectSound: Speakers (2- High Definition Audio Device),0x00200000,1,0,,6.06.6001.18389

Oh, and my computer was custom built by Cyberpower...

[DaMage]

I found this out, a good factory image reset or reformat will do wonders for getting an old computer running well again. In the area of laptops, you should open it up fully and remove all the dust buildup in it...laptop often have fairly crap fans that will get clogged with fluff and overheat things more quickly. I turned a latop that would bluescreen/freeze every hour in one that can run all day simply by reseting it to the factory image and cleaning the entire thing out. It was a 2 year old laptop and it runs like brand new again.

Replacing parts i na laptop really is hard unless it was designed to be so. Laptop parts are all custom shaped to fit in a compact design, leaving little choice when replacing parts. As stated, video/sound cards are often built in to motherboards with not external slot..making it impossible to ever upgrade anything but the RAM, harddrive and other small misc stuff.

Why do you want to upgrade it anyway?

[Rowan]

Well, as I say, it's already a custom built computer, assembled by Cyberpower. It seems like their components would have to be flexible in order to be custom built... But I guess I just need to open it up, like you say and see what there is to see. I will probably reformat my computer when I get windows 7 and start from scratch. When I open it up, I'll try to get all the dust and fluff out of it.... should help.

As to why I want to upgrade: the computer just doesn't run as fast as I'd like it to... especially for these newer games that are coming out. It runs oblivion fairly well, but it easily gets bogged down by mods.

What exactly do you mean by "a factory image reset" ?

[HeyYou]

Well, as I say, it's already a custom built computer, assembled by Cyberpower. It seems like their components would have to be flexible in order to be custom built... But I guess I just need to open it up, like you say and see what there is to see. I will probably reformat my computer when I get windows 7 and start from scratch. When I open it up, I'll try to get all the dust and fluff out of it.... should help.

As to why I want to upgrade: the computer just doesn't run as fast as I'd like it to... especially for these newer games that are coming out. It runs oblivion fairly well, but it easily gets bogged down by mods.

What exactly do you mean by "a factory image reset" ?

Usually, mass produced computers, desktops AND laptops, will have either a CD/DVD image, or, a partition on the harddrive containing and image, of what the computer had on it when it was originally shipped. Reverting to said image is generally as easy as popping in a disk, and rebooting, or just pressing a particular key during post. (power on self test) Just sets the machine back to EXACTLY how it was when you first opened the box.

[_echo]

Upgrading a laptop is neither easy nor cheap. Laptop parts are made small and very power efficient which ramps up their cost a crap ton. In the case of your computer, I can't in my right mind suggest upgrading, but thats just my "bang for your buck" mentality.

Realistically, there is nothing worth upgrading anyway. 4GB ram is more then enough. Core 2 2.6 is more then enough as well. Not to mention anything different would need a motherboard change. You could get a faster Core 2, but it is honestly pointless. As for graphics card, indeed an 8600M isn't the greatest, but as mentioned, heat is a concern. Laptops have crap venting, and anything more powerful, you run the risk of damaging something. and once again, the price factor comes into play. Laptop graphics cards are expensive.

In short, laptops, even custom made ones, were not meant for gaming. They just don't have the power of a desktop and as such, they get out dated quickly.

You viable options are basically, tune down game settings and live with the lag, or get a new laptop

[Rowan]

Ok, thanks for the info and advice. It helps a lot. I'm going to upgrade my laptop to windows 7 and do a reformat as well. My aim at this point is to get my laptop running as fast and smoothly as possible with what I have.

Anyone have any good experience with ultimate disk defrag?

[Rowan]

alright, so my GPU has officially burned out. Thankfully I can still use my computer for internet and writing but no Oblivion. I'd like to revisit the idea of swapping out my dead GPU for something new or the same card if a newer one won't work. I found this guide: http://www.pcworld.com/article/148909/upgrading_your_laptops_graphics_card.html as well as a you tube video showing how to take apart the computer and take out the GPU. So it just depends on the individual specs and limitations of my computer.

I found my card on ebay for just 40 dollars: http://cgi.ebay.com/nVIDIA-Geforce-8600M-GS-G86-770-A2-G84M-Chipset-BGA-/360298842465?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e37c0961 I've learned that these cards are inherently flawed (http://www.nvidiadefect.com/what-exactly-is-the-nvidia-defect-t3.html and http://hplies.com/index.php) and will burn up eventually, so if I have to stick with the same card, I will buy a cooling stand of some sort and try not to overclock it - that way it should last me a few years at least or until I can afford a new computer.

So I guess what I need to know is:

How can I find out if I can even swap the card with a new one (even if it's just the same model of card)?

How can I find out if my existing components/configuration/cooling capacity can handle a newer card?

[_echo]

How can I find out if I can even swap the card with a new one (even if it's just the same model of card)?

How can I find out if my existing components/configuration/cooling capacity can handle a newer card?

1. Look up the laptop on google. See what others have to say about it. Be sure to include things like "Upgrade" or "Graphics Card swap" in the search.

2. Your system info can all be found through a DirectX Diagnostics (DxDiag). Google helps with this one. =)

[Rowan]

Ok, so apparently it does take a PCI-E video card, but I am unsure as to whether any card will fit in there because it may not have a standard layout... I guess the only way to tell is to crack it open and take a look inside. Now I just need an itty bitty screw driver.

[HeyYou]

I don't think any standard PCI-E video card is going to fit in your laptop...... Usually, laptop video cards have an "M" designation on them, and are basically integrated into the system board. It doesn't have Slots like a desktop would. And, there physically isn't ROOM inside the case to stuff something else in there.....

You would probably be better off selling what you have, and putting the money toward buying something that has what you want in it already. Memory is usually relatively easily upgraded, and harddrives, but, very little else....

[Rowan]

Even if I could just replace the broken card with the same thing but new, that would be enough... but, if like you say, it's integrated or soldered onto the mainboard then I'm out of luck. I can't afford a new computer right now - what with being a college student and all.

[HeyYou]

Even if I could just replace the broken card with the same thing but new, that would be enough... but, if like you say, it's integrated or soldered onto the mainboard then I'm out of luck. I can't afford a new computer right now - what with being a college student and all.

Know how that goes..... Is the machine still under warranty? (probably not huh?) You might give the manufacturer a call, and see what they have to say...... or, check and see if there is someone around that can repair it... Either way, it probably isn't going to be cheap, and it might end up being cheaper just to replace it......

[Rowan]

Yeah, the warranty is expired. I bought it in '08. Calling Cyberpower is a good idea, and something that I've managed to overlook - just to get some info on the computer and perhaps a quote for repairs.