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New graphic card for my MacBook Pro early 11.

C

CDFT92

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 14, 2013
2
0
Hi guys, first post.
Carlos from Venezuela.

What good graphic card do you recommend for my MacBook Pro early 11.
I have an Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB but when gaming its very slow for some games. Thank you.

Here is a snapshot with specifications.
Captura_de_pantalla_2013-08-14.png
 
As previously mentioned the graphics card in your Macbook is built-in into the CPU. You cannot upgrade. For gaming you should ideally use a PC. If you really want a gaming Mac the iMac is currently the best option or maybe the classic 15" MBP. In any case you should wait for the Haswell refresh on both MBP and iMac before buying anything.
 
Agreed. Sell the Macbook, and save for a newer Macbook Pro, or purchase a PC laptop with a powerful GPU. Macbooks were never intended for hard core gaming.
 
Wow... I always thought I could replace it :(
But you guys are right. Thank you for all the info.
Oh guys, I also have this MacPro, it's a 2007 but the graphic card it's obsolete. It sopped working. A guy from Apple told me I had to buy another one which is like $600. Do you know of other cheaper graphic cards? I don't really use that MacPro but it'll be good having it functioning. Thank you very much.
 
CDFT92 said:
Wow... I always thought I could replace it :(
But you guys are right. Thank you for all the info.
Oh guys, I also have this MacPro, it's a 2007 but the graphic card it's obsolete. It sopped working. A guy from Apple told me I had to buy another one which is like $600. Do you know of other cheaper graphic cards? I don't really use that MacPro but it'll be good having it functioning. Thank you very much.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure he meant $600 to replace it with the same graphics card. Imo, if you need to play games better. Definitely sell both computers and buy the refreshed Retina MBP, or an iMac, or a desktop PC running windows. Those are your best options. Keep in mind, the retina MBP isn't that great with high end games either, but it may be passable to some.
 
CDFT92 said:
Wow... I always thought I could replace it :(
But you guys are right. Thank you for all the info.
Oh guys, I also have this MacPro, it's a 2007 but the graphic card it's obsolete. It sopped working. A guy from Apple told me I had to buy another one which is like $600. Do you know of other cheaper graphic cards? I don't really use that MacPro but it'll be good having it functioning. Thank you very much.
Click to expand...

He probably right, there are only a few graphic cards that will work on the Mac Pro since Apple doesn't make drivers for every single graphic card avaliable, less since this is a 2006 models with possibly limited to select number of graphic cards that probably aren't being activity sold right now. Also why would you ever think you could replace the graphic card on a laptop, there isn't a windows laptop currently that would have a user replaceable graphics card.
 
saturnotaku said:
Alienware, Sager/Clevo, and MSI would like a word with you.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression Alienware no longer have this option, also mobile graphic cards aren't for sell and the desktops cards take too much power to be properly used in a laptop form.
 
RoboWarriorSr said:
I was under the impression Alienware no longer have this option, also mobile graphic cards aren't for sell and the desktops cards take too much power to be properly used in a laptop form.
Click to expand...

Mobile GPUs are not sold at retail but are easily obtainable from places such as the NotebookReview forums marketplace. People have also created eGPUs for notebooks using desktop cards connected via ExpressCard and now Thunderbolt. However they are extremely expensive and difficult to set up properly.
 
saturnotaku said:
Mobile GPUs are not sold at retail but are easily obtainable from places such as the NotebookReview forums marketplace. People have also created eGPUs for notebooks using desktop cards connected via ExpressCard and now Thunderbolt. However they are extremely expensive and difficult to set up properly.
Click to expand...

Wait, newegg sells mobile GPU? I thought that wasn't possible since Nvidia doesn't allow the sale of mobile GPUs.

Also OP is your MacBook Pro the 13 or 15 model? The 15 model should have a discrete graphic that should be fairly powerful even now.
 
CDFT92 said:
Hi guys, first post.
Carlos from Venezuela.

What good graphic card do you recommend for my MacBook Pro early 11.
I have an Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB but when gaming its very slow for some games. Thank you.

Here is a snapshot with specifications.
Image
Click to expand...

You could hack together an eGPU with an external enclosure (and a few adapters) through a Thunderbolt port. You won't get the entire performance benefits but still a lot of improvements.

Look here: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/
 
RoboWarriorSr said:
Wait, newegg sells mobile GPU? I thought that wasn't possible since Nvidia doesn't allow the sale of mobile GPUs.

Also OP is your MacBook Pro the 13 or 15 model? The 15 model should have a discrete graphic that should be fairly powerful even now.
Click to expand...

The GPU is for desktops. eGPU is a desktop card in an adaptor (or two) that connects to a laptop with thunderbolt but only works in windows that I know of. In one sentence it isn't really a mobile GPU.
 
53kyle said:
The GPU is for desktops. eGPU is a desktop card in an adaptor (or two) that connects to a laptop with thunderbolt but only works in windows that I know of. In one sentence it isn't really a mobile GPU.
Click to expand...

I know what an eGPU is, it's just that it was stated that you could buy a mobile GPU (ex. 650m) from Newegg, allowing possibly notebooks that could upgrade their GPU possible.
 
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