Anybody have advice on modular video card upgrades

I have an asus z81sp, which uses an MXM (modular) type III 6800go. This site http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=90-C1CIZA-HXBN00Z&Category_Code= has an MXM type II 8600 for a later Asus notebook. I know that type II cards fit in type III slots, but could anbody tell me if I could get it to work and if so, how difficult would be? I know that it would probably require soldering the wire from the cooling system into the new card, but would my motherboard recognize it?

If It's possible, I'll see if my reseller can do the installation for a reasonable price. My computer is really showing it's age and I there's a buttload of awesome games that are gonna run and look like crap if I can't upgrade.

 

AFAIK there is only one confirmed case of a working GPU swap on an ASUS notebook, and even that has some quirks (cannot push the card to full clocks) -- NightWalker did it on the C90. Keep in mind the C90 is designed for GPU swapping, though.

So, in brief, the standard answer is you can't do it. Also check the ASUS_FAQ in the Info Booth for more details as to why it is unlikely. It may be more worthwhile to buy a new notebook.


But, of course, this is just the standard answer. Maybe you can contact one of the resellers and ask, they may have a better answer for you.

 

Hi londez,

I'm slightly jealous of your MXM-III slot. Anyway as far as upgrading is concerned, you shouldn't have to many issues. Someone has already upgrade this notebook from the 6800GO to an ATI X1800. See this link for more info: http://mxm-upgrade.com/Table.html

Seeing as how this person was able to go from a NVIDIA card to an ATI card I'm also guessing your bios does not lock out other MXM modules either. If I were you, I'd look at a higher end MXM-III card. Whatever you do though, DO NOT purchase an 8600M GT! These cards have been pretty much proven at this point to be unstable and extremely hot.

If you're looking for an MXM-II based card I'd look at one of the new ATI cards like the 3650 or the NVIDIA 9600M GT. These cards are just plain better. Also, since you have an MXM-III slot, if you buy an MXM-II card it should still pop right in. It will be shorter and take up less space and you might have to redesign the heatsink however.

Anyway these are general guidelines and keep in mind you can still run into quirks and other issues like whats going on with my card right now. It's a matter of patience and perseverance with MXM GPUs in my opinion. Good luck and if you need anymore help let me know.

 

Do you have any idea where I could purchase those cards?

I'm so behind on PC gaming that I'm ready to just buy the xfps keyboard and mouse adapter for my 360.

And in response to EBE, like the C90, my notebook uses MXM GPUs. The main issue is that there is some soldering involved, so it's not exactly as easy as upgrading a desktop gpu. Does the C90 involve soldering, or was it designed to be less technical for people like me?

 

No soldering, but I still haven't worked out my issue yet. eBay has MXM cards for sale right now.

 

Well, the main issues are usually not from soldering (although if the card is not discrete, it's pretty much hopeless indeed). They typically arise from non-standard heatsink layouts -- see NightWalker's thread and how he had to build a custom plate --, and inverted cards (where the heatsink would end up on the wrong side).