Thundaar

I have an Acer Aspire 5000 Laptop (Click on Name to View Specifications) and I want to upgrade my video card and RAM. On the website it says that I can upgrade the RAM to 2 Gigabytes. Would this mean that I would have to remove the 512 provided and install two separate Gigabyte RAM Cards?

Second of all, I want to know if it is possible for me to upgrade the video card in this Laptop. If so, what would you recommend to me? It isn't particularly necessary for me to play games with high end graphics, but I would care to know if there was something for laptops like this that existed. Otherwise can someone recommend me a nice NVidia or ATI card that is reliable and good in general?

Lastly, if you can tell me of any other tweaks and such to improve the performance of my Laptop then this would be VERY greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Thundaar

TheMatt

Hi,

You can upgrade the RAM but you cannot upgrade the video card.

The RAM takes two standard 200-pin SODIMMs. You have to install 2 x 1 GB sticks. These will work for example if you get two:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231141

If you flash your BIOS to the 3A27 version your laptop should be able to accomodate 4 GB, but it really won't make a difference over 2 GB in a 32-bit environment.


The video you cannot upgrade. Period. You can increase the frame buffer (video memory) to 128 MB though in the BIOS.


Another thing you can do is download Cacheman and set the profile to Games. This will give you a nice boost in games especially if you have 2 GB of RAM.

Also take a look at these two guides:
http://www.techsupportforum.com/info...-optimisation/
http://www.connectedinternet.co.uk/2...ng-windows-xp/

Thundaar

That really sucks, so I can't use Vista then? I was looking forward to the Aero Experience and even though WindowBlinds worked fine with my SiS technology stuff I don't think it'll work so great with Vista.

Will Acer Tech be able to make an upgrade or is it impossible?

TheMatt

Well, I never said that now.

I think with 1 GB or 2 GB of RAM that laptop can run Vista fine, its not the graphics card that will be the bottleneck but the RAM or hard disk speed.

Thundaar

Oh boy... Thanks for that. So does this mean Aero can work if I get more RAM on my Laptop? I really want that glass effect, but I'm not sure if my SiS card can make it happen.

TheMatt

Increase the Frame Buffer to 128 MB and upgrade to 2 GB of RAM. Yes, it will work and it does look nice. I wish Areo was available for XP.

Thundaar

Yeah, definitely... If it was then I would never get Vista.

Can you recommend any tutorials and such about flashing BIOS? I've never done it before and heard that it's very risky.

TheMatt

You don't need to flash the BIOS. Go into the BIOS and on the second tab I believe you will see an option to change the video memory to 128 MB.

Thundaar

Okay, cool... I've heard some terrible stories about BIOS Flashing.

Right now my Laptop is being sent in for repair and when I get it back I'll leave it on XP's OS. When I have enough money for a RAM upgrade then I'll be sure to go for it and put my Laptop on Dual Boot.