okay...so I've been doing some research on this for a while...and so far I've come up with nothing.

I have an Inspiron B130 dell laptop.
Operating System: Windows XP* Home Edition, Service Pack 2 (5.1.2600)
Default Language: English
DirectX* Version: 9.0
Physical Memory: 503 MB
Minimum Graphics Memory: 8 MB
Maximum Graphics Memory: 128 MB
Graphics Memory in Use: 10 MB
Processor: x86 family 6 Model 13 Stepping 8
Processor Speed: 1496 MHZ
Vendor ID: 8086
Device ID: 2592
Device Revision: 03


* Accelerator Information *

Accelerator in Use: Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family
Video BIOS: 1219
Current Graphics Mode: 1280 by 800 True Color (60 Hz)


On the lowest graphics settings possible, CS:S plays like a slideshow. It looks like a picture, then a picture, then a picture, instead of running even somewhat smoothly. It's really bad, and I can't play at all.

Now, to my original question:
Can I upgrade a graphics/video card on a laptop? I've read different things in different places. Is it possible? And if so, where can I buy a decent card for a laptop somewhere between $100-$150 (USD), that would help CS:S run better? Or should I just...give up, and say buying CS:S was a waste?


I've read that the ATI Radion X1400 is good, but I can't seem to find anywhere that sells it...at least without it being inside a laptop. Anyone know where I might be able to get it?

If you need any more information to help me, let me know. And please...tell me how I find out what it is that you need to know. I don't really know much about computers...at least internally.

Wow a laptop...they arnt meant to be gamers..512 memory??!?! u need 1gb...
X1400 dont sell discontinued
buy an XT1300 its a X1600pro exept lowered clock setting [by 67]
It runs on agp 8x and buy a desktop not laptop...
If u think Internal is hard try doing Laptop its waaay harder.
EDIT-omg this is the 5th time!!!
anyways u need 2.0 GHZ of processor speed...
In other words DONT PLAY GAMES WITH LAPTOP!
EDIT AGAIN1!!=Also Laptops dont use the same graphic card [6th t ime]

Wow a laptop...they arnt meant to be gamers..512 memory??!?! u need 1gb...
X1400 dont sell discontinued
buy an XT1300 its a X1600pro exept lowered clock setting [by 67]
It runs on agp 8x and buy a desktop not laptop...
If u think Internal is hard try doing Laptop its waaay harder.
EDIT-omg this is the 5th time!!!
anyways u need 2.0 GHZ of processor speed...
In other words DONT PLAY GAMES WITH LAPTOP!
EDIT AGAIN1!!=Also Laptops dont use the same graphic card [6th t ime]

are those (XT1300 and x1600pro) for desktops? I have a desktop, but it's nothing special. It's a dell...I'm not really sure about the specs -.-;;

the only problem is that since I bought my laptop, the desktop's kinda been my sis's comp, and the laptop's mine. Maybe I could upgrade my desktop, and have my sis use my laptop while I use the desktop. Eh, I'll have to see.

you cant upgrade dell laptops, thats unlucky for you. most other makes have expansion slots, but dell dont give you them, to make you buy more computers off of them.

Wow a laptop...they arnt meant to be gamers..512 memory??!?! u need 1gb...
X1400 dont sell discontinued
buy an XT1300 its a X1600pro exept lowered clock setting [by 67]
It runs on agp 8x and buy a desktop not laptop...
If u think Internal is hard try doing Laptop its waaay harder.
EDIT-omg this is the 5th time!!!
anyways u need 2.0 GHZ of processor speed...
In other words DONT PLAY GAMES WITH LAPTOP!
EDIT AGAIN1!!=Also Laptops dont use the same graphic card [6th t ime]

you juust need a newer laptop for gaming.

Ive got a sony vaio with
a centrino duo 2ghz processor (2x2.0ghz processors)
1gb ram, upgradeable to 2gb.
nvidia geforce 7400 go 128mb graphics card
2 x intel integrated 128mb graphics cards.
(I can switch between the nvidia card and the 2 intel cards)
100gb hard drive
and it looks well cool

Its better than my family desktop, but recently the harddrive broke, so Its being fixed

Your main problem is your graphics card, Intel Chipsets are very old now and they're not meant for 3d games. The only fps you can play from the half life series with that graphics chip is Counter Strike 1.6 with choppy experience. But since you chose CS:Source, which runs on the Source Engine that needs far better requirments your stuck to buy a new graphics card. May I recommend the Nvidia FX5200, for 80-100 bucks you can run most of the latest 3d games and enhance the full visual experience of any game. Your RAM Memory is fine, just upgrade your graphics card and your good to go.