Graphics Chip?

I have a few qestions about Graphics Chips.

What the difference between them and Graphics Cards?

How do you know if you're computer/laptop is using a Chip and not a Card?

Is there a way to update your Chip/make your Chip better by buying something? (I think it was called something like... a PCIM?)

PCMCIA perhaps? Not that that would help...

Graphics chip would mean the limited graphics capability built in to a motherboard. Although these "integrated graphics" solutions are getting much better than they used to be, they are still no match for a dedicated graphics card.

I think he's referring to mini-PCI video cards.. that can be used via either a mini-PCI slot/port or a mini-PCI-to-PCI adaptor.

Some possible helpful links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express_Mini_Card
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_PCI
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/62956/

Snograt pretty much sums it up. Being a chip on it's own, they have no dedicated graphics memory, ultimately hindering performance.

Yeah, this is what I was talking about. My guess is my Laptop does have a Graphics Chip. So is it really worth it to spend the money on one? How much do they really help?

if you are asking this question, i'm afraid to say that your laptop CANNOT take a dedicated graphics chip.

there are two kinds of graphics chip for laptops: integrated, which means it's built into the motherboard and uses system ram, or dedicated, which means it is a discrete chip that uses its own memory. the dedicated chips are dramatically better. the better ones are capable of running crysis.

unfortunately, most laptops don't come with dedicated chips, and they also cannot be upgraded. for those that do have a dedicated chip, those usually cannot be upgraded as well, since the chips are soldered in. there are only a few laptops that features an upgradable graphics slot, however, those cost you $3000+ US. i'm betting you don't have one of these, you won't be asking this question otherwise.

so yeah, you don't have many options.