How to Add A Graphics Card to A Laptop?

Overview

There are currently just a few methods for adding a graphics card to a laptop. While some techniques require significant tinkering and disassembly, others are straightforward and inexpensive.

In this post, we'll go through a few ways to upgrade the performance of your laptop by adding a graphics card. These techniques will prevent you from using your laptop's display while the graphics card is connected. This is because you will utilize the monitor the graphics card is attached to for all image output.

Method 1: Get a GPU Enclosure

GPU enclosures cost a lot of money. You might need help obtaining a suitable GPU enclosure at a reasonable price because most manufacturers no longer even produce them.

Your choice of GPU enclosure will affect the compatibility. For instance, Alienware GPU enclosures are compatible with Alienware laptops alone. Using Thunderbolt 3, the Razer Core, as displayed above, functions with both Windows and Mac.

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Conclusion: 

• Disassembly required: No

• Compatibility: Depends on the enclosure you get. Most demand some form of Thunderbolt. Some only function on specific laptops.

• Ease of use: Super easy.

• Price: A lot. Between $100 to $500.

• Possible problems: Not many

Method 2: Use an M.2 NVMe to PCI-e Adapter

This method is a lot more labor-intensive but far less expensive. It will require you to disassemble your laptop, so if you're unsure, you can do it, do additional research or choose another method.

If your SSD or WiFi/Bluetooth card is in an M.2 slot, you can either remove it or find a spare NVME m.2 slot in your laptop.

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Steps:

1. Disassemble your laptop.

2. If necessary, unplug the SSD or WiFi card and then connect the NVME M.2 or tiny PCI-E adapter.

3. Connect the PCI end to your graphics card.

4. Your graphics card should be plugged in using any 6 pins as necessary and connected to a power source.

5. Connect the adaptor to SATA power (or the correct power cable for your adapter)

6. Connect a monitor to your graphics card.

7. Turn on your graphics card and install the proper drivers. To get the PSU to power the graphics card, you should short the 24 pin.

8. Go to device manager in Windows if you want to verify that the graphics card is recognized correctly. Type "device management" into the Windows start menu to find it. If it is correctly identified, it should appear under display adapters.

Conclusion: 

• Disassembly required: Yes

• Compatibility: Requires an available NVME M.2 Slot.

• Ease of use: A little challenging, but manageable if you know what you're doing.

• Price: Cheap.

• Possible problems: You can't do this if you have one slot because your SSD needs to boot up. You can remove a second drive if your laptop has more than one slot.

Method 2.2: Use a Mini PCI-e to PCI-e Adapter

It's likely a mini PCI-e slot if you're removing a wifi card, in which case you'll need a different adapter (mini PCI-e to PCI-e x16). To install this adapter, follow the same steps as before.

This won't work for you if you just have one M.2 NVME slot, and your sole storage option takes it up because your laptop won't be able to start up without some storage.

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Conclusion: 

• Disassembly required: Yes

• Compatibility: Requires an available Mini PCI-e slot.

• Ease of use: A little challenging, but manageable if you know what you're doing.

• Price: Cheap.

• Possible problems: A wifi card typically occupies a Mini PCI-e slot. If you swap out this card with a graphics card, you won't have wifi or bluetooth. (Sometimes it doesn't function as well).

Method 3: Using an express card adapter

This method is less popular than the other two, but it works well if your laptop has an express card slot. However, this method is only for you if your laptop has an express card slot.

You also need a compatible power supply to power the 8 pin dock connector and any other power connectors for the graphics card.

Simply assemble everything as follows:

1. The express card is inserted into the laptop's express card slot, and the other end is docked.

2. Connect the dock to the graphics card.

3. Connect the dock and the graphics card to the power supply.

4. Connect your monitor to the graphics card.

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Conclusion: 

• Disassembly required: No.

• Compatibility: Your laptop must have an express card slot in order to be compatible.

• Ease of use: Easy.

• Price: Quite affordable but a little more costly.

• Possible problems: Not all GPUs work. First, ensure compatibility.

FAQs

Can I add a graphics card to a laptop?

Although adding a graphics card and connecting it to your laptop is technically doable, we advise against it because the majority of laptops are not made to support graphics cards, and you will probably experience issues. GPU enclosures are explicitly made to work with laptops, but you must first check for compatibility because only some enclosures are made to work with all laptops.

If you can afford a GPU enclosure, you can probably build or buy a PC instead because these enclosures are undoubtedly more expensive. Due to the high cost of installing a graphics card or the difficulties in using a PCI-E adaptor, we do not advise adding a graphics card to laptops.

Should I add a graphics card to a laptop?

This depends on whether you believe the increased performance would be worth the time, effort, and risk. If you have no choice or are operating on a minimal budget, upgrading your laptop's graphics card is an excellent way to improve performance.

What benefits come from upgrading your laptop's graphics card?

The most significant advantage is increased performance in both gaming and valuable work. However, because there are so many potential bottlenecks with laptops, speed improvement may not always be what you anticipate.

Final Thought

A laptop can be connected to a graphics card in a few different ways. None offer the ideal experience, but it is unquestionably a realistic option if you need to improve your performance.

The GPU enclosure solution is by far the most expensive but offers the finest user experience. You can attach the m.2 adapter and use this method if you're comfortable disassembling your laptop. Consider using method 3 with the express card adapter if your laptop has an express card slot.