re: Increasing the notebook's graphics RAM?

[Ignoring the above two unhelpful posts].

I believe: That laptop has Intel G965 series integrated graphics. Sure, It is entry level but with a 2GB RAM upgrade it would fly for Office tasks, movie playback, etc

I actually have 2GB (2 x 1GB sticks) of DDR2 for sale. ($50 is all I am asking, plus postage if it's far).

[If you're interested post, and I can give you my email, etc]

You can read about your video 'card' here:

http://www.intel.com/Products/Desktop/Chipsets/G965/G965-overview.htm

http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/gma3000/demo/demo.html (requires Flash).

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=GMA+X3000&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a

The driver for the Intel GMA X3000 dynamically adjusts it's memory usage under Windows to optimze system performance. You don't need to dedicate more than 32MB to Video RAM 'at the desktop', and it should handle 192MB (maybe 256MB) of dynamically assigned video memory* for 3D and textures, etc in games.

*(which is just system memory).

There *might* be a BIOS option to lock it to 8MB, 12MB, etc sizes (which would be bad for 3D and accelerated DVD playback, etc), and maybe various 'dynamic' options in the BIOS.

However the default BIOS settings should do you fine. Just don't expect it to run Call of Duty 4 or anything modern. (The GMA X3000 will however run older games, from the 2004 era, including I believe Half-Life 2 & Counter-Strike: Source).

I do not believe that model laptop can have it's GPU module upgraded (I don't think it even has a GPU module in it).

Sure, It's entry level, but don't hate on it. It has untapped potential, and can be upgraded affordably. Just you're 'stuck' with laptop hardware (except RAM and HDD) - you can't even upgrade a laptop CPU (easily or cheaply).

(Thanks Scott. -PZ)

re: Increasing the notebook's graphics RAM?

"To increase the shared Video RAM size, the System RAM will need to be increased ■ possibly to the Maximum RAM size specified on the ?Toshiba US website."
OUCH! Now they not only supply the minimum hardware, they want you to upgrade hardware to run it correctly.
------------------------------------

JC, why blame the user/buyer? If they walk into a laptop retailer, hardware specifications might be Greek to them, quote (for those that haven't read it)
"Boughboy, if your Laptop has ONLY 512 Mb (of RAM memory)....do the Maths here.
512-256=256.
256 Mb is not enough.....to allow your laptop......to run properly, let alone wake up.....to try working.
You'll be very restricted.......to ONLY 1 Page, at a time. (if you turn 'OFF' all....the fancy stuff, that is!)
Once again, Boughboy, you have painfully reminded me......that there are Users out there.....who treat their PC (laptop/desk-top alike).....like a piece of junk, then fully expect it ......to work like a high-end 'fully maxxed-out!' Gaming machine.
Do your 'home-work', Boughboy, first. (See what is required....to UPGRADE you PC.....to the GAMER standard, if that's what you are after. THEN, with wallet in hand...take your PC.....to a computer-store/technician.......AND, have them MAX it out.....for you.)

No! You won't go that far.
(Too costly, right?)

Which does make your PC....a piece of junk, after all. (It won't be any better, without such an UPGRADE!)"
end quote.

The hardware manufacturer wants to supply the minimum (cheapest) hardware that purchasers will not check (eg, new users). Once they find their system is underpowered they then need to upgraded hardware. Where do they get upgraded hardware? First place to try is the hardware manufacturer. How much does the upgraded hardware cost? I will give you a hint...much more than anywhere else you would pay. If you cannot be bothered looking around for cheaper AND COMPATIBLE hardware, go ahead, buy it from the system manufacturer, it will be a bargain, ha, ha.
Example, hardware manufacturers have made systems that only use special RAM so that you can't use ordinary RAM.

The hardware manufacturer wants to TRAP you into upgrading your system with them. The computer might work perfectly when you buy it. It's when you overload some hardware and need to upgrade it that you are hung out to dry.

Laptop manufacturers, I would hope that the new motherboard manufacturers in that area (eg, Asus, MSI) will offer reasonable upgrading costs for their systems.

If you want to run a laptop, as JC says, look at the hardware provided. Being able to upgrade hardware on a laptop is very limited, as hardware manufacturers know.

My suggestion, look on the Toshiba website for user forums. There might be other users that have the same, or similar, model as you, milling around asking the same question.

Matt

re: Increasing the notebook's graphics RAM?

Boughboy, if your Laptop has ONLY 512 Mb (of RAM memory)....do the Maths here.
512-256=256.
256 Mb is not enough.....to allow your laptop......to run properly, let alone wake up.....to try working.
You'll be very restricted.......to ONLY 1 Page, at a time. (if you turn 'OFF' all....the fancy stuff, that is!)
Once again, Boughboy, you have painfully reminded me......that there are Users out there.....who treat their PC (laptop/desk-top alike).....like a piece of junk, then fully expect it ......to work like a high-end 'fully maxxed-out!' Gaming machine.
Do your 'home-work', Boughboy, first. (See what is required....to UPGRADE you PC.....to the GAMER standard, if that's what you are after. THEN, with wallet in hand...take your PC.....to a computer-store/technician.......AND, have them MAX it out.....for you.)

No! You won't go that far.
(Too costly, right?)

Which does make your PC....a piece of junk, after all. (It won't be any better, without such an UPGRADE!)