Updating an HP Compaq nc6400 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Schwan · 11-03-2007, 01:02 PM

Hi TFP gang,

My employer supplied me with a HP Compaq nc6400. It's a nice machine for the web, but it misses a crucial element - the crappy graphics card (Intel 945 GM Express) doesn't support any games. In fact, Civ 4 is as far as it goes.

I need my healthy dose of gaming during work hours, but I have no idea if you can update the graphic card. Every website seems to be very vaque, bordering on "not really", but maybe you know better. Is it possible to set the machine up with a new vid card? It's a shame - I feel I'm wasting the Centrino Duo 1.83 Ghz processor on web surfing and downloading torrents

.

Embic · 11-04-2007, 06:54 AM

I fix these all the time at work, ive seen some of these come with an ati graphics chipset instead of the intel. You would have to get a new motherboard with the ati graphics on it.

I believe the nc6400 hase been discontiunued but you should be able to look up parts for it on hp's part surfer.

http://partsurfer.hp.com/cgi-bin/spi/main

Schwan · 11-05-2007, 05:14 AM

Thanks Embic!

I did some research during the last two days. If someone is considering buying a used one, here's my tip: it's good for travel - slim, with good batteries. The processor works nicely with applications that require a lot of computing power. DON'T buy it if you want to do anything related to graphics.

11-03-2007, 01:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Schwan A boy and his dog Location: EU!	Updating an HP Compaq nc6400 Hi TFP gang, My employer supplied me with a HP Compaq nc6400. It's a nice machine for the web, but it misses a crucial element - the crappy graphics card (Intel 945 GM Express) doesn't support any games. In fact, Civ 4 is as far as it goes. I need my healthy dose of gaming during work hours, but I have no idea if you can update the graphic card. Every website seems to be very vaque, bordering on "not really", but maybe you know better. Is it possible to set the machine up with a new vid card? It's a shame - I feel I'm wasting the Centrino Duo 1.83 Ghz processor on web surfing and downloading torrents .

11-04-2007, 06:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Embic Insane Location: Canada	I fix these all the time at work, ive seen some of these come with an ati graphics chipset instead of the intel. You would have to get a new motherboard with the ati graphics on it. I believe the nc6400 hase been discontiunued but you should be able to look up parts for it on hp's part surfer. http://partsurfer.hp.com/cgi-bin/spi/main

11-05-2007, 05:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
Schwan A boy and his dog Location: EU!	Thanks Embic! I did some research during the last two days. If someone is considering buying a used one, here's my tip: it's good for travel - slim, with good batteries. The processor works nicely with applications that require a lot of computing power. DON'T buy it if you want to do anything related to graphics.