Can I upgrade Graphics card in HP dv7 3085dx laptop

[Gr8rskills]

Trying to run a software application (PaintShop Pro 2019 with PictoPainting plugin.) plugin causes program to hang. Corel claims that my Nvidia GT 230M graphics card is the problem. They recommend I upgrade. I need to know if my laptop is capable of connecting and running the Nvidia GTX 1050 graphics card which I can buy and have installed. Please help.

[David_J_W]

nVidia GT 230M graphics is the highest specification GPU supported in this old model range. You cannot fit a desktop graphics card like a nVidia GTX 1050 inside a notebook computer. You can use a desktop graphics card in an external GPU enclosure on some modern systems, but that requires Thunderbolt 3 with firmware support for eGPUs - technology that simply wasn't invented in 2009 when your system was launched.

It is rare you can upgrade notebook computers other than with parts used in that particular model. In this case, your system is so old that parts will be difficult to find and, as I said, you already have the highest specification GPU for that model range.

You would likely see a huge different jumping forward to a newer system; even a second-user system from a budget range that is 2-3 years old will likely feel a lot faster and have better compatibility with modern software than your old dv7. If you explore this option, I would look for something that was originally supplied with Windows 10, rather than an older machine that the manufacturer never officially supported Windows 10 on.

[Gr8rskills]

Isn’t the PNY - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 Graphics Card for laptops? I understand that replacing the graphics card in my old laptop is not optimal, but I am not ready to buy an entire new laptop. My question is “could” this work? I do appreciate your response.

[David_J_W]

The card you mention is a double width graphics card for desktop computers and external GPU enclosures. The GPU on your dv7 is soldered to the system board and cannot be changed.

There is no way to fit a newer GPU to your computer: if there was, I would have given you the appropriate information. Moreover, if you have a modest budget to upgrade, I think you would get far better value spending that money upgrading to a second-hand 2-3 year old notebook that was designed for Windows 10 than piecemeal upgrading of a system that was first marketed 8 years ago. If your budget goes a bit further, a new system with a quad core processor and solid state drive storage will be much faster and more responsive than your old dv7. I don't work for HP, nor am I a shareholder, so I have nothing to gain by any recommendations I make. It is simply that I believe there is a point where it is best to accept that it simply isn't worth throwing any more money at old hardware.

Even though some users still find an 8 year old notebook useful, the reality is that your system is beyond its design life and my understanding is that HP offer no support whatsoever other than continuing to offer downloads of information and drivers. No dv7 systems will still be under warranty and HP have likely disposed of any remaining parts inventory.

[Gr8rskills · Accepted solution]

David, THANK YOU SIR! You just saved me a lot of money and time. I will take your advice, hold in place, and save for a new and more capable PC. Very much appreciated!