Can the Nvidia graphics card be upgraded on my HP envy 17 laptop? Lightroom update causing problems

[Jandij]

Since installing October 2022 Lightroom and Photoshop updates, I am getting messages to shut down other programmes to enable Zoom meetings at which I need my Lightroom open. The indications are that the Nvidia graphics card is now inadequate and that I need a minimum of 8GB dedicated or 16 GB shared. Is this something that can be upgraded? The current card only provides 8 GB shared. The laptop is otherwise fine.  Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Unfortunately, the graphics adapter cannot be upgraded as it is an integral part of the motherboard.

HP only has the service manual for the older model series on your notebook's support page.

According to the old manual, two motherboards were offered that had a nvidia graphics adapter with 2 GB of dedicated memory and one that had 4 GB of dedicated memory.

HP ENVY Laptop PC 17-cg1000 Manuals | HP® Customer Support

How much dedicated memory does your graphics adapter have?

The only thing you could try would be to max out the memory to 32 GB and hope that it will allocate more shared memory to the graphics adapter.

However, I don't know how much system (shared) memory the notebook will allow to be shared with the graphics adapter.

[Jandij]

Hi Paul,

If the graphics card cannot be upgraded then I may have to consider buying a new computer! Ouch, thanks Adobe! The graphics card has 2 GB of dedicated memory and 8 shared. Lightroom can only use one graphics card so the other 4GB card is of no use but may well be supporting other programmes enabling the NVidia shared memory to be used by Lightroom. I have set the override to Lightroom, so I think it is using the maximum graphic card memory and that is why I get the error message from Zoom. Not to worry, I don't think increasing the memory to 32 GB would solve the problem. I just wanted to double check that I couldn't install a bette/bigger NVidia card.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, you won't be able to upgrade the graphics card.

If you use applications like that which require a lot of graphics memory and performance, you may want to look into one of the HP zBook mobile workstations.

They are expensive but should meet your needs.

HP ZBook | HP® Official Store

[Jandij]

Thanks Paul, I will check them out.

Regards

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.