Where to buy an MXM graphics card

Well I have this computer and I would like to upgrade it's graphics card. It comes with a GeForce Go 6200 and I want to replace it with a GeForce Go 7800 (or a 7800GTX if the price is right).

Anybody knows where can I find these cards?

 

What computer?

If its a laptop, most likely its not possible, and you have to check with your brand first, because it will be them who makes the cards(because it has to specifically be made to fit inside the laptop)

 

It's not possible, and it doesn't sound like you have an MXM laptop.

Go6200 is MXMI and Go7800GTX is MXMIII, it wouldn't work anyway.

Not all laptops are MXM.

 

Our buddy Ice-Tea has set a site for MXM cards, there is also a table of the compatible platforms with mxm types that they support. http://www.mxm-upgrade.com

Maybe it helps.

Cheers,

 

Hey, that's me!

Anyways, it would be nice if you told us what your laptop type is. If your sure it's MXM, it can be added to the table.

There's a decent chance your card is Type I as Chazman told you. If you're lucky, however, it will also accept Type II's. In that case, x700 or 6600 should be possible and in the future 7600 presumably also.

They are not available currently, however. Maybe soon, though

 

stupid question...when the 7800gtx becomes the low-end or mid end card..will it ever become MXMII or MXMI? or will it always be MXMIII and they will just add more numbers to it?

pb,out

 

The high end cards will be the MXM III format - they need the board space. Each different class of MXM cards has their own thermal and power specifications, those are more also reasons why the MXM-7800's are MXMIII.

 

but when they get newer/better technology, will they be able to put a 7800gtx onto a smaller setup, possibly MXMII, etc..

pb,out

 

Sure, but it's not that easy(I wish)

There are half a dozen and more factors in the end, which will affect the GPU in the end. Ventulation, size, heatsink, fans, voltage, etc.

 

Nope, because even as they become the lower-end parts they maintain their physical characteristics such as size, power consumption etc.

Maximum memory may change over time, though.

However, when new GPU generations become available, there will be coresponding parts there. So, if you currently have a Type I 6200, you may be able to upgrade to 7200 in the future.

 

Actually it's a Go7300 but I'm nitpicking.

You're right - if you have an MXM II card, such as a Go6600 right now, in the future when the Go7600 comes out (successor to the Go6600), you should be able to plug and go . .

 

Just to clarify...just cause you have a MXMI card doesn't mean you don't have a higher MXM numbered socket. My laptop has a MXMII video card in it, but the socket is an MXMIII, since there was a version that included an MXMIII card.

 

( too many what-ifs for me here...lol )

what if when they have newer technology, they can fit the 7800gtx into MXMI, or would they even spend the money to do that and just focus on newer tech...im thinking the latter.

pb,out.

 

Yeah, they won't bother with the 7800GTX in anything but a full MXM-III card. Heat/thermal requirements basically.

And by the time there is that much power in an MXM format, if it's still around by then , they will use the latest technology.

DirectX 10 coming up.

 

Hey Tullnd,

I would like very much to hear what laptop that is.

On a different note, thermal mounting provisions for Type II and III are no compatible AFIK, so it's no cut'n paster replacement.

 

Gateway 8510GZ. Same chassis as the M680 and the later replacements(s7710 or something? can't recall, it's changed a few times). Mine has a 64MB x700. It was available with a 128 MB x700 and 256MB 6800 Go. People have successfully upgraded the machine to both a 256MB 6600 Go(non-gateway mxm part) and a 256MB 6800 Go(gateway parts for the ones I'm aware of).

There's a number of threads on this forum under Gateway and on notebookforums.com about people who have successfully done it. Many were incorrect(due to some confusion by a few who said the Dell parts were compatible...which is obviously known to NOT be true now...thankfully before I purchased one), but most of the threads, by their end, have the information all straight.

 

So if you have a type III module, does that mean you can accept all type mxm cards???

 

im wondering the same thing, but probably its a no, i think the pin sizes and everything are different and they wont fit. im getting a laptop with a 256mb go 6600 and i wanna upgrade to the 7600 (when does taht come out by the way?) so i am really interested to see a) if you can buy the cards B) what can fit into what mxm type and c) if higher mxm types are backwards compatable to their lesser counterparts

 

The slot itself accepts all types, but the mounting provisions for the heat exchanger is different between I/II and III/HE.

Actually, there's a bit of confusion there in the spec. According to the mechanical drawings there, it's not possible. But according to a small table listing thermal compatibility, there are two 'subtypes' of Type III. Perhaps there's a type compatible with type II and the other, designed for larger GPU die sizes, not.

Additional info still welcome, I'll look into the Gateway thing.