So i was thinking, is it possible to retrofit the 8600m GT into my CD MBP? Sorry if it sounds stupid 
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X1600 for 8600m GT
- Thread starter BlueSamurai
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Some new laptops put the video card on MXM modules that makes them upgradable -- the 24" iMac does this too, though I think it's mostly to make it much cheaper for Apple to offer different cards as a build option.
Sadly, the MBP does not use this... so, there may be hope for this in the future, but not with your current hardware.
Sadly, the MBP does not use this... so, there may be hope for this in the future, but not with your current hardware.
Then again most MXM solutions are on 17" or larger laptops and you can only get a new card from the original laptop manufacturer.
Great concept though.
MacBook Pros are not meant to be easily upgradeable. Well, not easily upgradeable; they're not meant to be worked on at all. Its just never been something Apple has aimed for in their laptops. Expandability has stayed in the desktop realm with Apple so far and I doubt we'll see a big change in that any time soon. It doesn't seem to be much of a priority.
Yeah, great concept. I've always assumed the "original manufacturer" aspect is to make sure you don't put in something the enclosure can't cope with heat-wise, or something that draws so much power it blows the rest of the system. It's a nice lock-in, too *mutter*
yeah that slipped my mind. The gpu is soldered on or something right... i bought my mbp wif the thoughts of decent gaming in mind. I mean, i had thought the X1600(256mb) was quite a contender for gaming but i was darn wrong. NFS:MW @ that time was barely playable and i was anticipating @ least a smooth framerate @ native resolution in full detail.. now that they have an Nvidia gpu inside that has a 60% increase in performance... really makes me feel kindda sore.
In *theory* Nvidia's MXM socket would let you do that, but has anyone other than Apple (in the iMac) actually used it? I sure haven't seen a single laptop with it from anyone, not even a Falcon Northwest or Alienware or Dell.
Yeah, unfortunately the x1600 was a low end card even last year when it launched. (Despite what some people on here will try to tell you.)
Among other problems, it only has 4 ROPS. Still, it's a heck of a lot better than Intel's graphics, and it's still better than what the majority of notebook users are stuck with. It'll at least run most games with the settings dialed right.
Let's not do this again.
I haven't seen any laptops that use MXM either. I do occasionally see a card pop up on eBay though.
I'm not doing anything. I'm going to correct people if I notice them posting incorrect info though.
The x1600 Is actually a Mid-Range Chip. Problem is It was WAY slower then Nvidias Offerings and Got bumped down to Lowend Status.
But it should be good for most stuff but the x1600 Is Not a 1440 x 900 Card. For that a 7600GT (Desktop So the Laptop Ver is like a x1800) Is the Least People would want with that without lowering settings.
But the New 8600GT seems To be at least Twice as Fast but Still is only 128-Bit (Making it worse for higher res abouve 1024 x 768 But still capable)
Really Macbooks Should have 8600GS 's And MBP's 8900GS's (Set to launch soon. Will be at least twice a 8600GT but slightly more power hungry.
But it should be good for most stuff but the x1600 Is Not a 1440 x 900 Card. For that a 7600GT (Desktop So the Laptop Ver is like a x1800) Is the Least People would want with that without lowering settings.
But the New 8600GT seems To be at least Twice as Fast but Still is only 128-Bit (Making it worse for higher res abouve 1024 x 768 But still capable)
Really Macbooks Should have 8600GS 's And MBP's 8900GS's (Set to launch soon. Will be at least twice a 8600GT but slightly more power hungry.
No, it wasn't. It's performance was roughly similar to Nvidia's old mid-range part from years past, and was nowhere near what Nvidia was offering in that price range when the x1600 launched. ATi just tried to get away with selling it for high prices. Still makes me mad when I see x1600s in stores going for crazy > $100 price points.
I mean a company can call it whatever they want, but if it's actual performance can't match up with parts in the mid-range price point, it ain't mid range.
the x1600 is 80$....
It just got owned by the 7600GT and IS MIDRANGE. Lowend is a 7100GS - x1300
x1650XT For 80? That is as good as a 7600GT (Took 3 refreshes to do it though but ati had a card as good for the price.