Changing a MXM-II graphics card to another MXM-II graphics card

Hi guys,

Just wanna know if I can change the Nvidia GeForce 9500M GS graphics card on my Acer Aspire 6920G laptop to a more powerful GeForce 9650M GT. I think both cards are MXM-II, but I'm kinda new to changing graphics cards on laptops (and I've been told that I can't change them, at least the integrated ones) but I'm not sure if the MXM ones are integrated or a separate chip. Just wondering if I can change them, as I'm looking to getting a new card. Thanks in advance.

 

Acer does not provide a MXM-II 9650M GT. So, BIOS Support, not sure.
Plus, the module will be expensive.

 

What Andy said. Currently, the fastest theoretical upgrade incl. BIOS support would be a 9600M GT 512MB GDDR3.
The question is, where the hell do you GET one?!

 

You can change card only if they are mxm. You could find cards on ebay I would guess. But it's not worth it. Maybe you could try to overclock it instead if you know how to do it. This card runs pretty cool

 

Right, I totally forgot about BIOS support.

Acer doesn't provide / sell graphics cards? I thought shops would have it though.

 

Unlike desktop video cards, MXM video cards are technically only available to ODMs and in order for the mainstream consumer to get one, it's either eBay or some specialty shop.

 

Is it possible to get Acer to order it and have it replaced though?

 

You can try, it never hurts. Chances are:

1.) You're going to need the video card's SKU number.
2.) They might check to see if you are a certified repair center, otherwise they will not sell it to you.
3.) If you managed to hurdle over the first two obstacles alive, the price just might put you down...MXM cards, especially midrange to highend ones, are rather expensive. I've seen price quotes up to $350 just for an 8600M GT MXM II.

 

Sounds like a massive pain, just to get a new card. Might have to figure out how to deal with the 9500M GS if it's too much hassle - see what makes my games lag.

I see you have the 9600M GT 512MB GDDR3 though - was it built-in when you got it or did you get a replacement?

 

Well, guess what I discovered!
Anyone speak French and have $400 to blow?

 

It came with my system, although it is a MXM II card. It might be replaced by a Mobility Radeon HD3850 if I can get the SKU number from the one in the MSI GT735 and make sure it works.

$375 USD...ouch. That same amount will buy you one of the fastest desktop video cards that can play any game out there smoothly.

 

375 USD / 400 Canadian Dollars is 1300 ringgit which is 1/3 of an average salary here in Malaysia. Will seriously have to consider how big a difference it will make over my 9500M GS if I want to switch it.

Dang, it's pricy but I can't look away!

 

so the hd 3850 will be mxmII? if so then i would want to swap my hd 3650 out for it

 

I really don't think it will be , cuz of the power output of mxm2 might not be enough.

 

you could always get the new 6930

 

Are the specs better than the 9500M GS?

 

Make sure that your notebook actually supports the card first (power + heat issues wise) too.

 

HD 3850 is MXM-III.
The 8930G (9700M GT) is a better choice, with the MXM-III slot, but limited BIOS Support.

 

mxmIII wont work for us though since the cards we have are MXMII right

 

Right, only I and II. You can use I,II and III in MXM III slots.

Like others posted, the HD3850 is most likely III, but I was hoping it might be a II. At this moment, I think the 9600M GT DDR3 is the best you can get for MXM II.

 

I thought the 9650m gt was also mxm II, so wouldnt that be the best? Also where could u get these gpu's

 

Yes, but the 9650M GT is even harder to locate than the 9600M GT.

 

It should be MXM III, since its power consumption exceeds MXM II's 25 watt specification.

 

so would a 9600m gt work in my asus laptop? and is there anywhere to find it

 

No guarantee. Even if it physically fits, the card may not work simply because the VBIOS is integrated with the system BIOS, which I had to find out the hard way when I attempted to change out my ASUS A8JP's X1700 for a friend's Go 7700 from his A8JS. They're virtually identical laptops except for the video card, and yet it still didn't work.

Ignore this statement, I just checked and its power consumption is rated the same as the 9600M GT, so the 9650M GT is the king of the MXM II's.

 

wish i could find a 9650m gt, that would be a nice upgrade coming from an hd 3650

 

So there's a possibility that even though I can upgrade from my GeForce 9500M GS to the 9650M GT - I might not be able to run it on my laptop?

 

If 9500M GS is an MXM II card, then there's a possibility the 9650m GT will work.
Although i would check with your laptops manufacturer and ask them if such an upgrade is possible (and if BIOS would need to be upgraded beforehand).
No need to rush into purchasing something that might not work.
Your manufacturer should know the answer (unless they treat you like a moron and insist that this type of work is impossible unless THEY do it ... but I don't think companies are like that all the time )