Many laptops have powerful processors but are lacking in the advanced graphics capabilities, this makes them awesomely quick for regular productivity tasks but for entertainment, it can be slower. GDC V8 plugs into your laptop and lets you partner your powerful PC graphics card with your laptop. It’s not a portable gaming solution, but does mean you can use a modern video card to play some intensive games without needing a dedicated desktop.
GDC adapters have been around for a few years now and the latest is the GDC V8. It has both a Mini PCI and an NGFF connection. V8 offers more compatible GPUs including some of the latest Nvidia cards.
What you need
- Notebook with Mini-PCI or NGFF
- Desktop PCI graphics card
- Power supply for the graphics card
- Phillips screwdriver for opening notebook
Why can’t I connect with USB?
The speed and power requirements are much greater than USB spec offer,
How to install the GDC in your laptop
Setup is more advanced than most notebook accessories and involves opening up the notebook. The laptops mini PCI-E ports (or NGFF) are just miniature versions of desktop ones. The connection is just like using a full-size pc PCI port.
Installing the GDC notebook PCI adapter
- Find out if your laptop has Mini-PCI or NGFF, and get the correct GDC.
- Open the notebook case. Try opening the bottom panels first to see if you have easy access to the connection.
- Locate the PCI slot, if you have a spare one you can just slide in the GDC connection, if you don’t have a spare one, you need to remove the WiFi card first. (use a USB WiFi dongle or LAN.)
- Put the cover back on making sure you guide the cable out of the case or between an access panel.
- Physical laptop connection complete.
- Connect the video card and power supply.
- Continue software steps by reading the setup guide.
All that effort is worth it as once set up, you can play games rendered through the external card at far superior rendering when compared to your built-in graphics card.
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