Graphics card questions...

[snk13]

Well this may not be the tech forums, but I seem to get more replies on these forums so it keeps me entertained longer...

So yeah I was thinking about getting a graphics card for my laptop (one of those external ones that use USB)
and I was wondering if the graphics cards add on to what your computer can do, or replace it...

[Ad Bot]

[Becquerel]

You can have external GPUs via USB? Where the hell have I been?

[Subpixel]

If it's USB then it would not replace it. Though the power being a combination of the USB and the internal, not entirely sure. It should say when you buy it.

[snk13]

You can have external GPUs via USB? Where the hell have I been?

how about with the ones you put into your desktop?

(thinking it might be the same exact thing but through usb)

wrong quote

[snk13]

If it's USB then it would not replace it. Though the power being a combination of the USB and the internal, not entirely sure. It should say when you buy it.

how does it work with the ones you install in desktops?

[Blockzillahead]

Are you talking about this?

http://www.hwtools.net/Adapter/PE4H.html

Also you can't hook up an external GPU using USB. USB's aren't powerful enough.

[snk13]

Are you talking about this?

http://www.hwtools.net/Adapter/PE4H.html

Also you can't hook up an external GPU using USB. USB's aren't powerful enough.

I have one of those "high speed" USB thingies on my laptop.

[Blockzillahead]

I have one of those "high speed" USB thingies on my laptop.

USB 3.0?
Still not happening.

[snk13]

USB 3.0?
Still not happening.

and why's that

[otto-san]

usb is just too slow

[QuadStorm]

and why's that

I think USB's wouldn't be given enough power to power the GPU effectively, but since I didn't even know about USB GPU's, I could be easily wrong.

[Blockzillahead]

and why's that

Well video through USB is possible, but for 3D gaming it's not happening because the frames would be stuff, keep in mind USB has a very low bandwidth level compared to PCIe express. Data would transfer across too slow.

Also powering up a GPU through USB is not happening, let alone render with it. If the GPU has 6pin/8pin connectors you would need a separate PSU to power that up.

Anyone confirm that you can hook up an external GPU through USB?

[Headcrab Zombie]

So yeah I was thinking about getting a graphics card for my laptop (one of those external ones that use USB)

I saw a thread on this forum where someone somehow had a desktop video card connected to their laptop.
It looked really silly and bulky though, and it will perform nowhere near as well as the same card ran internally in a desktop; I can't think of any actual use for this aside from novelty or testing purposes.
USB just doesn't have the same power or bandwidth as a PCIe port.
As far as upgrading a graphics card in a laptop, you really can't change a laptop's GPU. I've heard some brands have high end models with removable GPUs, but I'm assuming yours isn't.

and I was wondering if the graphics cards add on to what your computer can do, or replace it...

A new video card will replace what your computer currently has, whether it be replacing an older card, or providing more power than an integrated GPU built into the motherboard or CPU

[Elecro]

usb is pretty much only good for flash drives and external hard drives. usb could handle a gpu, but it would be stuff.

[snk13]

well now that that is out of the way...

I also have a desktop... if there are more slots for the Graphics cards, and I put in a new card, will the computer use both the old and new?