Question: To enhance a T30 graphics adapter

Message

jordi34 · #1 Post by **jordi34** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:29 pm

Hi people!

I'm the happy owner of a T30 notebook, which I trully love (it's my first notebook)

I'm not very fond of videogames but lately there's one that has caught my eye, and I'd like to play it.

Unfortunatelly, minimun configuration spec calls for a 64Mb graphics card adapter so my question is?

Is there any way of adding more RAM to the T30's actual graphic adapter a 16Mb "Radeon 7500 Mobility", or to change it for a better one?

Thanks in advance for any help you send!

Jordi
Barcelona, Spain.

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:15 pm

Welcome to the forums at thinkpads.com!

If the T30 is the same as the T2x systems I have, then I don't believe that there is any way to expand the memory of the built-in video adapater. Likewise, the possibility of changing the video "card" inside the laptop as it is probably soldered down onto the motherboard. I believe that there may be a PCMCIA solution available for driving an external monitor so you might want to explore that avenue.

Laptops are generally not too easy, or even possible, to change hardware components around (hard drives and memory excluded). About the only way you can add on external hardware or improve upon the capabilities of the "factory" hardware is via the USB or PCMCIA ports.

CeeDee · #3 Post by **CeeDee** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:58 pm

While Ray's idea is one way to go, the other way is to get an IBM dock 2631 (P/N 02K8660) off eBay, they have a PCI expansion slot that will enable you to use a video card in there (I have a TV card in mine for CCTV). However I would be concerned that the game may also be a processor hog as well, and the T30 may not be up to it.

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:29 pm

CeeDee wrote:While Ray's idea is one way to go, the other way is to get an IBM dock 2631 (P/N 02K8660) off eBay, they have a PCI expansion slot that will enable you to use a video card in there...

Ah yes! Forgot about that particular method. I've been using the mini-docks for awhile now that I missed that. Thanks for bringing that up!

ambientscape · #5 Post by **ambientscape** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:19 am

Finding a compatible graphic cards for the docking station would be a question then...

#6 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:32 am

...and you still would need an external monitor since I don't believe that there would be any way to route the video signal back into the laptop's LCD. At that point, you're better off with a desktop system...

agarza · #7 Post by **agarza** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 2:04 am

What game you intend to run?

I don't think the machine would run new games (I once owned a T30 for more than 3 years). I used to play NFS Most Wanted in that machine with 768MB of RAM. Biggest bottleneck was the stock Hitachi 40GB 4200rpm 2MB cache HDD.

darkdragoon · #8 Post by **darkdragoon** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:07 am

I once read on one of the threads that someone can play Counter Strike on his T30.

OddOne · #9 Post by **OddOne** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:09 am

New to the forum

will be posting more soon.

I am very interested in the approach.

On ebay a dock with the power cord is 25 bucks.

The top of the line low profile pci card is 90 bucks. at neewegg.

has anyone dont his before with a video card ?

I will be trying this set up in the next few weeks. I will let you all know how it goes.

jordi34 · #10 Post by **jordi34** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 2:48 pm

The game is Dreamfall the sequel to the longest journey.

My configuration passes CPU and RAM minimun required, just problem with the graphic card!

thanks again for all your help!

Jordi.

CeeDee · #11 Post by **CeeDee** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:51 pm

With reference to Ray's point about whether or not the feed from the PCI card goes to the built in LCD, in the bios there is an option to choose either the PCI card or built in AGP. I would asume that would put the video to the LCD BUT I am not sure. Hopefully someone will be able to clarify this point.
I have no trouble geting the pictures from my CC Cameras through that slot. with a TV Card in it.

ambientscape · #12 Post by **ambientscape** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:49 pm

CeeDee wrote:With reference to Ray's point about whether or not the feed from the PCI card goes to the built in LCD, in the bios there is an option to choose either the PCI card or built in AGP. I would asume that would put the video to the LCD BUT I am not sure. Hopefully someone will be able to clarify this point.
I have no trouble geting the pictures from my CC Cameras through that slot. with a TV Card in it.

I assume that would be an option to boot up by the internal graphic or the PCI graphic from the dock? I might be wrong.....can someone clarify this?