Acer MXM Models and Cards

I am debating getting an 8940G if my G73 gets pushed out past mid Feb.....didnt see anything past the stock card confirmed to work with it....anyone tried upgrading the GPU in it yet?

 

Well, it's not confirmed yet b/c they aren't in stock yet.
Patience, young padawan.

 

Ok. i have been reading this whole thread all night (literally) and feel even more lost than when i started lol. Does anybody know if the GPU on the Aspire 5315 is built into the motherboard or if it can be replaced? i just put in the T9500 processor in last night and i believe i saw where the GPU is when i did that. i did the gpu-z test thingy on it and it doesnt tell me jack.

Just that my computer is Acer and 965 Express Chipset Family
GPU: GM965
Memory Type: DDR2
Memorey Size: 8 MB
GPU Clock: 500 MHz
Default Clock 500 MHz
and it has the Intel logo in the upper right corner

CPU-z shows me i have the Acer Acadia motherboard
Bios Version: 1.45
Revision: 3
and it still shows the Intel sticker there too

So any clue as to what type of GPU i have?

 

I think the answer is no... look here for the discussion.

 

I guess because the thread is so long, you missed some crucial text from the first post.

And the Aspire 5315 is equipped with the Intel GMA X3100 - hence the "G" in the GM965 chipset. Models with dedicated graphics cards have the PM965 chipset.

Sorry, but your GPU is part of the chipset and cannot be replaced.

 

Tappity-bump-bump.
Kris of MXM-Upgrade.com has an excellent article about the dangers of assuming certain models are MXM equipped.
In this case, the 8942G is a no-go.

 

Wow that looks so complicated to take apart! So happy I need only remove 3 screws to get to my notebooks guts. Quite surprised Acer have stopped using mxm in their aspire range

 

Hi, I Want to Upgrade Mi 8930G. I have 9700M, and I want FX3700, but I want to know if will be compatible. Thanks.

PS. The seller says that is MXM III, but I see an extra connector.

EDIT: If this videocard isn't compatible, someone knows which Quadro video card will fit? Thanks.

 

Good call on not jumping for the Quadro FX 3700 - the seller's lying to you. That extra tab means it's an MXM-HE card (see the second post in this topic for example pictures), and thus completely incompatible with your Aspire 8930G.

If you don't mind my asking, why do you need the Quadro cards? If you're gaming, the GeForces will be better optimized.

 

I don't use my laptop for gaming, I need it for CAD, I use a lot 3dsMAX, and Maya, that's the reason why I need the Quadro

 

I see. Not sure what other Quadros exist on MXM-III or lower. Sorry!

 

Nvidia 770M is mxm 2.1 II and there are numerous ones for sale on ebay at the moment. Essentially a quadro 9600M GT

 

FYI: http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/57995268-acer-aspire-5740-5740d-5340-service-manual appears to be selling a service manual for the new Acer 5740. This may help in determining the MXM-ness of this model, if someone has the money to buy it.

 

i have buy a service manual, and the 5740G/DG have NOT a MXM slot the GPU CHIP Ati 54xx and 56xx and also the video memory graphic DDR3 are soldered on the mother board and the cpu with the intel gpu (arrandale) is on the socket pga 988 .

the mother board is made by HANNSTAR

 

Ah great, I was worried about that. Do you think it's possible that our shenanigans have forced Acer back to a non-MXM design?

 

Hello TehSuigi. I am interested in upgrading TravelMate 5530G, with HD 3470 Hybrid X2 inside. Do you think it's possible to switch it with HD 3650? I've already sent an e-mail to MXM support but they don't know much about this model. I made also photo of it http://i45.tinypic.com/1j2lxg.jpg.

 

Hello The Chosen One, and welcome to the forums!
Your picture already provided me with all the info I needed - you've got a Radeon HD 3470 MXM-II card in your machine. The "HD 3470 Hybrid X2" is the product of ATi's Hybrid CrossFire functionality - it means that your discrete Radeon HD 3470 can team up with the integrated Radeon HD 3200 contained within the chipset to improve performance.

In theory, you can upgrade to any MXM-II module, the Radeon HD 3650 included. The Aspire version of the 5530G was even sold with the HD 3650 from the factory!
However, I'm not sure if the TravelMate BIOS is any different from the Aspire BIOS (I doubt it), nor how your system's Hybrid CrossFire feature will react.
It's worth a shot, though.

 

Thanks for advice. I found the BIOS for Aspire 5530G download on official Acer support pages. Is possible to put it on my Travelmate? It worths a shot, but i don't want spend 40 pounds on something what can mess up my laptop.

 

Are there any info about the MXM capabilities of the 5738Gs yet ?

 

Chosen One, I'd avoid flashing the BIOS of the Aspire 5530G on your TravelMate 5530G. The BIOS is the most integral component of your hardware - when it's gunked up, you're most likely looking at a complex recovery procedure or a warranty repair.
If worst comes to worst upgrade-wise, your machine should be able to run on the Radeon HD 3200 built into the chipset if the Radeon HD 3650 isn't detected.

Mahmoud, I'll get to that by the end of the day.
EDIT: OK, you aren't gonna like the news. Aside from having to take apart the whole damn notebook to get to the necessary bits, the 5738G does NOT use MXM technology. The GPU is embedded into the motherboard.

 

Can I have problems with overheating after upgrade? HD 3470 got 12 watts power consumption but 3650 got 30 watts. What do you think?

 

Possible, not plausible.
In theory, since the MXM specifications denotes the maximum possible thermal dissipation for each card size, Acer would have built the 5530Gs to withstand the maximum amount of heat for an MXM-II card.

And again, if the Aspire 5530G can handle it, not sure why the TravelMate 5530G couldn't.

 

+1 to the weird stuff acer does

 

Is It the same for 5738ZG? My laptop has a HD 4570, Is it embedded? :S:S I need a nvidia GPU

 

Should be - the Z only denotes a more inexpensive model, not a completely different one.

 

Hello, mxm-upgrade.com also offered me mobility 4570 and 4650, do you think those cards can work too?

 

Theoretically, but like I've said before in this topic, MXM upgrades are really uncharted territory for the most part.
They aren't supported by the manufacturer; heck, they'd probably be happier if we never discovered upgrading the MXM card!

It's all a matter of thermal capacity and BIOS compatibility, and the only way to know for sure is to try it out.

 

Resuscitating an old thread, yes, but not without content.
MXM-Upgrade.com is now carrying ATi Radeon HD 4650 1GB DDR2 MXM-II modules - I'm checking to see if they're the same ones that people have had success upgrading their Acers to.
If they are, consider the sourcing issues over and the upgrade path for MXM-II notebooks wide open.

EDIT: Also updated the Aspire 8935G (confirmed MXM-A, speccy MXM-B) and added some part numbers to the second post.

 

In short: we do not disclose the source of our modules but they are basically the exact same ATI reference design. In addition, we have a 6935G vBios available and can preload it on simple request.

Finally, browsing through this thread I believe some have had issues with the distance between GPU die and heatsink, We can deliver 1mm thick heatpads with our cards. While not as performant as copper or alu, it works prefectly in scores of Alienware and FSC notebook. These are the highest possible perfomance heatpads out there with a 17W/mK rating for those who care enough

 

Did the Acer 6920G with a HD4650 last night. Works nicely. I wasn't too happy with the print the thermal paste left on the heatsink so I substituted with a heatpad. Will probably deliver cards for all Acers with a heatpad from now on.

 

Just wondering... Do you think a 9650m GT will work on a acer aspire 7720g with the acer bois on the mxm card?

 

@Ice-Tea: BRILLIANT! I'll update the main post. Good to know the 6920G has an upgrade path that still lets you see the BIOS.
@hexxor: Not sure. Very few 9650M GTs made it into MXM-II format, and even fewer are Acer models. It'd be easier to acquire a 9600M GT and simply overclock it to 9650M GT levels.

 

sorry only just saw this. a very interesting theory though.
does it seem that all new acer's are not upgradable?

 

Ah righty then, just checking as there are a few mxm2 ones on Ebay but Thanks anyway

 

Perhaps this is something.

By the way on mxm-upgrade they now offer the 4650 1gb mxm 2.1 type III cards. I contacted them and I think I will sent my laptop to them and they will test it out.

 

@ spaanplaat. If you are going to send your notebook, then let them also check if the gtx 260m works on the acer

According to notebookcheck the 4650 is lil bit faster then the 9700m gt

 

That's funny. I just received another email.

That's what they suggested too. When I'm going to send my lappie to them they want to test the HD4650, GTX260, GTX280and 9800GS.

I told them to let me know which ones work and which ones don't.
But the 260m and 280m are MXM-HE form factors as far as I know. And based on my early experience with an 9800m GT that's a no go. But we will see. I first need to wait for pay-day

Yes I know but with 1 GB and a lower power consumption (9700m gt is 45 watts and the 4650 is 35 watts) I still think it's worth to try.

 

The 1GB isn't the important factor for the memory - it's the fact that it's DDR2.
The 512MB of GDDR3 in your GeForce 9700M GT is faster and therefore better.

 

@ spaanplaat
yeaa, because mxm says that it may work. So if you will send your noteboook it wil help allot of other members . I hope that the 260m works ( 280 is to expensive LOL)

@ TehSuigi

I know that the 1gb isn't an important factor, But according 2 notebookcheck the 4650 scores 12680 points and the 9700m gt scores 11355
So why don't try it out

 

@spaanplaat

I also know your reputation. You tried a 9800m gt and also the hd3870( to bad you killed that card )

Btw( i am also from netherland )

 

Yes I know, and still I don't think they will work but it's worth the try.

Somehow I really think gaming at higher resolutions requires just that little bit more memory. You can see it in early 4800 series reviews. And I am willing to give the ati's a try.

Haha I see... I still have that card BTW. still no clue in what type of SOT 23 it should be. Groeten terug uit holland. (greetz from holland)

 

@ spaanplaat

I think the 3870 was the best card for the 8930g i think, because of the 256bit
bandwidht, to bad we will never find out 8930g is a great laptop i just want 2 upgrade the gpu for a better 1. But i've searced all over the internet with no results.

btw i heard people talking about enable VT, can you explain me what that is??

 

VT is virtualisation, if you run multiple clients on one machine you will want this. Its also needed to run Windows XP mode on windows 7.

 

Got a customer running the GTX260 in a 8920G. Boots fine, installs drivers. Will post an update if he has something on thermal

 

@ ice tea

Are u serious?? That's great news xd xd, What about the clocks? did he reduce them. because off the extra power?? more info please

Are you som1 from mxm upgrade??

 

He still needs to check thermal. I'll post an update when he's done.

Any yes, I represent MXM Upgrade

 

ok xd,

Can't wait till the good news, if it work perfect, i will buy the gtx 260m

 

When pay-day is here I will send my lappie to you. But I will contact you directly. Just so you know the results will be here

 

WHOA. That is some serious epic.
I guess the GTX 260M doesn't need the HE tab for the extra power?

 

I think it needs the extra tab! in order to run at full trottle. that is why mxm-upgrade said that when they reduce the clocks it will need less then the 75 wats. If iam correct the mxm connector in the acer can give +/- 70 watts... so in other words if the 260m works it wil mean that it wil not perform as a 260m gtx.

(sorry for my bad english)