Video Card upgrading?

Question

I have a nvidia 7300 with 256mbs of ram, and when i run games it doesnt run nearly as good as my friend who has the same card model, but with 512. is there any way i can upgrade the ram or improve performance without having to go out and buy the better card?

Answer 1

Download and read the manual for this card.
Look at the card itself, if there are empty sockets for memory, you may be able to.
If the memory chips can be removed, you may be able to.
If you can buy the memory chips from the manufacturer, you might be able to.

But in general, video cards do not have the ability to be upgraded. It really depends on the manufacturer.

Answer 2

Your friend might have a better cpu , faster RAM , faster hard drives than you. He may have a factory overclocked 7300 like xfx offers.

If it is the same card and the only difference is the Video memory, then the only time the 512MB card will be faster is in the higher resolutions like 1600 x 1200 & 1920 x 1200.

Answer 3

Um, no.

Video cards themselves are interchangeble, but the components thereof are not (unless you are technically gifted). Even if you could, it probably would not increase your performance noticeably.

I am convinced that your friend does not have the exact same type GPU if the performance is drastically different. The same types of video cards with different amounts of memory would only show a difference in performance if you were playing something resource-intensive, that required extra video memory. If we may be so bold, can you give us specifics on his video card, both your computers, and the game (or application) being used?

You could upgrade your computer's RAM, though that wouldn't accomplish what you are proposing.

Answer 4

The best possible way to increase the performance of your video card is to overclock them.

check
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/141
for more details

but your 256mb will be no match for your friends 512 mb, moreover overclocking is too risky. you could burn out your video card.