upgrading graphics card on macbook pro via pcie?

Hey guys,

So I know everyone says that the graphics card is built into the logic board on a mbp (late 2011 "unibody" model). However, I noticed on the system profiler that I have two graphics cards: one is built in its an intel hd 3000. The other is an amd Radeon HD 6750m. Since it says that the AMD connects to a pcie slot and not "built-in" does that mean it can be upgraded?

Do most laptops have 2 graphics cards?

Thank you!

newmanm said:

Hey guys,

So I know everyone says that the graphics card is built into the logic board on a mbp (late 2011 "unibody" model). However, I noticed on the system profiler that I have two graphics cards: one is built in its an intel hd 3000. The other is an amd Radeon HD 6750m. Since it says that the AMD connects to a pcie slot and not "built-in" does that mean it can be upgraded?

Click to expand...

You're going to get the same answer...no...the video hardware on your MacBook Pro cannot be upgraded.

Let me put it to you this way...if the video hardware on your MBP was upgradeable...show me a link for the parts & instructions how to do it.

newmanm said:

Do most laptops have 2 graphics cards?

Click to expand...

This is been a fairly common setup for many of the MacBook Pro's since around 2007-2008 timeframe (the old white MacBooks did not have it).

Two graphic cards is really more of "integrated" graphics vs. "dedicated" graphics. The "integrated" graphics shares system ram, is less powerful, and is better for battery life. "Dedicated" graphics has it's own vram, is more powerful, and will "eat" up battery life much faster (if running off the battery).

So again...NO the graphics hardware on your MacBook Pro is NOT upgradeable (just like you read).

- Nick

While Nick is technically correct, that may not be the end of the story.

Since the Thunderbolt bus is a direct connection into the PCIe bus, it should be technically feasible to "upgrade" the video card by connecting either an external PCIe card cage or even a specially designed video "card".

The possibilities are pretty much endless where Thunderbolt is concerned. The only problem right now is manufacturer support. We're just starting to see some early examples of external hard drives and RAID arrays, but nearly anything is possible.

cwa107 said:

Since the Thunderbolt bus is a direct connection into the PCIe bus, it should be technically feasible to "upgrade" the video card by connecting either an external PCIe card cage or even a specially designed video "card".

Click to expand...

You're definitely right...I forgot about those external video card "gizmos"!

Not the best solution for a portable device...but a solution none-the-less.

- Nick

newmanm said:

AMD connects to a pcie slot

Click to expand...

That's a PCIE bus, not an actual slot. It's very much built-in.