Switching Video Cards

[thomthoms3]

I have a MacBook Pro Early 2011 15" model with the 2.00 GHz Intel Quad-Core i7 and I am in DESPERATE need to upgrade my video card. I am right now running on a AMD Radeon HD 6490M video card and would like to upgrade to like a Radeon HD 6750M. How is this possible? If I can't do it, then who can? Thanks.

 

[chscag]

The video chipset in your MBP is surface mounted to the logic board (mother board) and can not be removed or replaced. What you have is what you're stuck with unless you're willing to sell the machine and buy another.

 

[thomthoms3]

The video chipset in your MBP is surface mounted to the logic board (mother board) and can not be removed or replaced. What you have is what you're stuck with unless you're willing to sell the machine and buy another.

So you're saying that not even a Apple Professional or MacAuthority specialist can't do this? What happens if a video card fails? There has to be a way...

 

[kribensis12]

I would assume that there has to be a way and if not, Apple must be willing to replace the whole board than remove the card.

 

[pigoo3]

So you're saying that not even a Apple Professional or MacAuthority specialist can't do this? What happens if a video card fails? There has to be a way...

Firstly...you have stop thinking that you have an actual "video card"...similar to a removable video card in a desktop computer. Your MacBook Pro has "video hardware"...which is "hard-soldered" onto the logic board...just like any other electronic component on the logic board. Add to this the complexity & close proximity of everything on the logic board...and it just isn't removable...replaceable...or upgradeable.

If you NEED better video hardware...you need to sell this computer...and buy another model with the video hardware you desire.

- Nick

p.s. As to your above question. If the video hardware goes bad...the whole logic board is replaced.

p.p.s. And just in case you think that this is something new...nope...I think that it's been at least 12 years since I remember seeing a Apple laptop where the video hardware was replaceable.

p.p.p.s. The Mac-mini's...and almost every iMac is the same way.

p.p.p.p.s. Only the Mac Pro's actually have a video card that is either replaceable or upgradeable.

 

[bobtomay]

If the video card fails under AppleCare, Apple replaces the entire logic board.

No unibody MBP has an upgradeable video card.