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    Expansion of 128 MB GDDR3 video memory

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by MBP_Admirer, Jan 25, 2008.

  1. MBP_Admirer

    MBP_Admirer Notebook Enthusiast

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    The basic 15.4 inch MBP 2.2 Ghz comes with 128MB GDDR3 video memory.

    Is it user upgradable to 256MB later? Does one have to replace the full graphics card?

    -Thanks
     
    MBP_Admirer, Jan 25, 2008
    #1
  2. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    No, you can't replace the graphics card on the MBP. Just pick the one you want, 128 MB or 256 MB. Its unfortunate how much extra you have to pay for the 2.4 GHz MBP when most people only really care about the extra VRAM, but yeah.
     
    Sam, Jan 25, 2008
    #2
  3. MBP_Admirer

    MBP_Admirer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is the older 15 inch MBP with 2.33 GHz with 256 MB ATI card better than new MBP with 128 MB nVIDIA?

    There are some clearance deals on older MBP 2.33GHz on Macmall.
    Any other pitfalls with the older version? I could see only a difference that it has a 6x Superdrive.

    -Thanks
     
    MBP_Admirer, Jan 25, 2008
    #3
  4. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hmm...I'd probably say no...but I'm not the most familiar with graphics either. You do want to remember that the older MBP doesn't have LED-backlit display, so it won't be as bright/use as less power.
     
    Sam, Jan 25, 2008
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  5. bczera

    bczera Notebook Geek

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    no it isn't. the nVIDIA it's better.
     
    bczera, Jan 25, 2008
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  6. circa86

    circa86 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    the 128mb nvidia should be significantly quicker than the older Ati 1600, you shouldn't be disappointed with the 128mb version as long as you aren't expecting gaming desktop level performance.
     
    circa86, Jan 25, 2008
    #6
  7. meh_cd

    meh_cd Notebook Evangelist

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    Everyone has beaten me to the question, but I'll just say that it is important to remember that RAM isn't necessarily the #1 thing you should take into consideration with a video card.
     
    meh_cd, Jan 25, 2008
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  8. Xander

    Xander Paranoid Android

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    Xander, Jan 25, 2008
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  9. soccerjoe05

    soccerjoe05 Notebook Guru

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    is there a significant performance difference between the 128MB and 256MB of video memory on the latest 15" Macbook Pros?
     
    soccerjoe05, Jan 28, 2008
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  10. thanhkhoa84

    thanhkhoa84 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think there is not difference between these 2 MBP in daily tasks unless you play the newest games.
     
    thanhkhoa84, Jan 29, 2008
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  11. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    Significant? Not really...but for those that really care about it, yes, they will notice a difference in some of the newer, more intensive games.
     
    Sam, Jan 29, 2008
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  12. Robgunn

    Robgunn Notebook Evangelist

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    In my opinion, if you are interested in playing the latest games you almost need a dedicated machine anymore. Whats the point of playing the latest and greatest if its going to be at 15-20FPS at low resolutions. You wouldn't go to the movie theater to watch Cloverfield or whatever on a small ass screen and a 2.1 setup.

    Macbook pro is only good for casual stuff...quake 4, doom 3, some RTS, Starcraft 2 (gonna be sweet).
     
    Robgunn, Jan 30, 2008
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  13. Ref

    Ref Notebook Geek

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    so is it soldered to the mainboard? or how do you know this...
     
    Ref, Jan 30, 2008
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  14. Arquis

    Arquis Kojima Worshiper

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    256mb one plays CoD4 at 30-60 FPS fine.... so I'm not sure what you're talking about. It has a dedicated card, the 8600m GT, I think you're getting mixed up with the Macbook, which uses an X3100.
     
    Arquis, Jan 30, 2008
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  15. Robgunn

    Robgunn Notebook Evangelist

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    No, I'm not mixed up. I was specifically talking about the the 128MB 8600M GT. Its a capable card, don't get me wrong, but isn't the best card out there. It struggles to render newer games at higher resolutions (1440 x 900+).
     
    Robgunn, Jan 30, 2008
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  16. Arquis

    Arquis Kojima Worshiper

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    ok, sorry, I guess that the difference between the 128 and 256 was bigger than I thought, because from my experience the 256 can play new games at that res. I also assumed you were talking about the 256 since thats what the OP wanted, sorry ^^
     
    Arquis, Jan 30, 2008
    #16