So I've got an Asus N61JQ laptop with the following specs:

i7-720QM
ATI HD5730
4GB RAM
1366x768 display
Input/Output: HDMI, 1x Express Card 34, 1x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert, 1x USB 3.0 port, 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x E-SATA


I've been reading through the "will my computer run this" threads, and it looks like this setup is expected to be about mid-range. I'd like to go as high as possible. I can output to my 1920x1080 TV, but I think the graphics card is going to bottle-neck me. Buying a whole new laptop is not an option at this time. I've considered upping RAM, but someone said that won't help because the game only uses 4GB anyway.

I've been reading some about using an external graphics card with a laptop. Is that really a feasible option? Any of you doing it? Any recommendations on a card? Thanks for your input!

I have the same laptop, so this becomes my thread ass well External graphics card? It would be great if possible :happy:

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1240184-unofficial-will-my-pc-run-skyrim-discussion-32/

Actually, it sounds like it belongs http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1233177-the-community-tech-thread-no-107/

how much did you 2 pay for that laptop because you can get a gaming desktop which is 1000000000 times more better for sometimes the same or less of that price. (just for your future reference)

Yeah thank you, you are 100% right, but I did not buy it for gaming at the beginning. I had to buy a laptop, because I needed to bring it to work with me. I also didn't want to pay too much so, this one was something in the middle :shrug:

I don't think you need an external GPU because your display resolution is relatively low.

The 5730m should be able to deliver playable frame rates for most games at 1366x768. With the 5830m, I'm able to play every game I've tried at 1920x1080.

EDIT: sorry, I see that you want to output to 1080p display. If your TV supports this, maybe you can try 1600x900 and see what sort of framerate you get.

As for external GPU solutions, you may want to consult a more specialized forum for advice: http://forum.notebookreview.com/gaming-software-graphics-cards/418851-diy-egpu-experiences.html

Thank you, that's good news. I hope you are right. How do you use an external GPU anyway? By plugging it to USB? Can you use any graphics card you wish? :confused:

Thanks for the responses and sorry for posting in the wrong forum. I did not intend this to be a "will my compuer run" thread so much as "are external graphics cards a real option" for this game thread.

Oh, and I bought the computer for about $900 in March of 2010, I believe. I think it was a good deal at that time, but is becoming aged now.

I don't think there are any that work with USB 3.0 or eSATA.

AFAIK, the only possible connections are ExpressCard, mini-PCI-e or Thunderbolt/Lightpeak.

OK, thanks for the info BootySweat

None of the external solutions are worth it IMO. The most latest in this technology is the ViDock 4, which uses the ExpressCard slot on most laptops these days. It's not cheap as in around $250:
http://www.villageinstruments.com/tiki-index.php?page=ViDock

And doesn't even come with the video card....so add more funds for one. Furthermore, needs a separate monitor. And while the dock will take PCI-E x16 based cards, the ExpressCard slot will be a huge bottleneck for it....so you won't get full performance of a powerful card.

Thanks Tig. On point and the information I needed!

Shouldn't we all just be PM'ing Tig about this stuff, it'd really clean up the forums.