Acer Aspire 3 a314-21-91v1: Can I upgrade graphics card?

sdtich

This laptop has AMD Radeon R5 graphics and AMD dual-core A9-9420e processor, with 8 GM memory.  It has trouble streaming live video, Zoom video, and there is a big lag in voice communications while in Zoom.   Is there a card that would fit this model and fix the issues or is the processor hopeless too?

christy1

sdtich

Its a good laptop. Try these steps.

>> Try to perform a simple power reset and check the issue.  Shutdown the laptop. Disconnect the charger. Disconnect the external display. Please check for a battery reset PIN hole at the bottom of the device.The reset hole would have a battery symbol next to it. Insert a paperclip into the hole and press for four seconds. Let the computer sit for 5 minutes with no power. Reconnect the charger and power On the laptop.

>>if you're running CPU-intensive processes, like games or video conversions. If you aren't doing one of these things, you'll definitely want to see if another process is eating up your CPU for no reason. Hit Ctrl+Shift+Esc to bring up the Task Manager. Check the processes tab to see if anything's taking up an abnormally large percent of your CPU's power—usually, if something's out of control, it'll be up close to 100. f everything's relatively low, single-digits or maybe the tens, then it isn't your CPU going out of control, it's the fan itself.

 

>> Remove any programs you're not using and disable as many background processes as possible. If the fans continue to spin loudly even when you're not using resource-intensive software, consider opening up the laptop and using compressed air to clean dust out the inside. Only do this if your laptop isn't under warranty, as opening the laptop will void it. Replacing the old thermal paste on the heat sink can also reduce heat (and thus fan noise), but only do so if you're comfortable with laptop disassembly and repair.

Upgrading info. 

Jack22

@sdtich
Most of the time the graphics card is soldered on the motherboard , so its non removable

JackE

Sorry no. Your graphics is the form integrated with the CPU affixed to the mainboard as a soldered ball grid array. It cannot be changed. Jack E/NJ

christy1

sdtich

Its a good laptop. Try these steps.

>> Try to perform a simple power reset and check the issue.  Shutdown the laptop. Disconnect the charger. Disconnect the external display. Please check for a battery reset PIN hole at the bottom of the device.The reset hole would have a battery symbol next to it. Insert a paperclip into the hole and press for four seconds. Let the computer sit for 5 minutes with no power. Reconnect the charger and power On the laptop.

>>if you're running CPU-intensive processes, like games or video conversions. If you aren't doing one of these things, you'll definitely want to see if another process is eating up your CPU for no reason. Hit Ctrl+Shift+Esc to bring up the Task Manager. Check the processes tab to see if anything's taking up an abnormally large percent of your CPU's power—usually, if something's out of control, it'll be up close to 100. f everything's relatively low, single-digits or maybe the tens, then it isn't your CPU going out of control, it's the fan itself.

 

>> Remove any programs you're not using and disable as many background processes as possible. If the fans continue to spin loudly even when you're not using resource-intensive software, consider opening up the laptop and using compressed air to clean dust out the inside. Only do this if your laptop isn't under warranty, as opening the laptop will void it. Replacing the old thermal paste on the heat sink can also reduce heat (and thus fan noise), but only do so if you're comfortable with laptop disassembly and repair.

Upgrading info. 

sdtich

 I hadn't found the pin-hole before.  I quit using Chrome and have been using Dissenter browser which is great.  Now I have to use Google apps, Slack, and Zoom and they are bogging it down.  Now I can at least do a battery reset to get a fresh restart.  Thanks christy1!