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Drummerman558

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 19, 2009
14
0
ok, so this may be a totaly dumb question, but im not that good with computers. Ok, so my question is: how do i install a new graphics card into my macbook, without buying a new computer? i have the older white macbook. I was thinking of putting in the new NIVIDA GeForce 9400.

Can anyone help?
Thanks
 
Here's why...sometimes it's helpful to know WHY... instead of just getting the quick answer. On a portable machine, it's impossible to just swap the graphics card.

On the MacBook, the video chip is what's called an "integrated" chip. It's soldered to the Logic Board and shares the system RAM, instead of having its own dedicated RAM to use for video processing.

On the MacBook Pro, you still can't replace just the video card because the video processor chip (in my case nVidia 8600GT) is still soldered to the logic board, but it is a standalone video processor with standalone RAM that is dedicated to just graphics stuff, and not shared with the system.

Thats the difference, and why you can't replace the cards. It's like this on PC's and Macs.
 
Here's why...sometimes it's helpful to know WHY... instead of just getting the quick answer. On a portable machine, it's impossible to just swap the graphics card.

On the MacBook, the video chip is what's called an "integrated" chip. It's soldered to the Logic Board and shares the system RAM, instead of having its own dedicated RAM to use for video processing.

On the MacBook Pro, you still can't replace just the video card because the video processor chip (in my case nVidia 8600GT) is still soldered to the logic board, but it is a standalone video processor with standalone RAM that is dedicated to just graphics stuff, and not shared with the system.

Thats the difference, and why you can't replace the cards. It's like this on PC's and Macs.

ok, thanks. ill consider getting a new laptop i guess.
 
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