Upgrade your laptop's processor from a 35W chip to a 45W or 55W model
Upgrade your laptop's processor from a 35W chip to a 45W or 55W model
The pre-made setups I was thinking of were entry-level desktops under 200-220 USD, which didn’t fit my budget. Instead of upgrading my laptop, I’d prefer to spend on a new SSD, CPU, and a budget GPU.
Your laptop isn't compatible with an eGPU and the Wi-Fi card trick just won't work on most machines. A decent budget eGPU costs at least $90 for the port and a solid power supply, then around $100 for even a decent mid-range card. You're losing money either way and not reaching your gaming goals. I think you'd do better searching eBay for an older mid-range gaming setup instead of chasing what you want. I've actually found systems with an i5 3470 and GTX 760 for about $230, which run games well. They'll definitely be slower than the 35W model because the cooling won't handle it. So you're still throwing away money on something that won't work. These aren't things you should ignore. You need to stay realistic. A $220 investment is a lot for a gaming PC these days. Upgrading your laptop is essentially wasting funds on a solution with a high failure rate and parts that won't last. Choosing a 45W CPU would make it even riskier. These aren't opportunities you should pursue.
This laptop already faces serious issues maintaining a stable 35w i7 at base clock, let alone a 45w model which uses more power regardless of speed. The higher power draw will only make it slower overall. I think offering the best option around 220 dollars is the most sensible choice, though it won’t meet expectations for a new machine or even a basic gaming setup. Staying under 300 dollars remains a huge hurdle, but luck might help now.