nVidia GeForce 9600M GT.

[Quad 2.5 G5 =)]

The 2.4 Uni MBP has the dual graphics chipsets, and I was wondering what Apple does to limit the GeForce 9600M to 256MB of video memory in the 2.4 MBP, when the 2.53, 2.66, 2.8, and the 2.93Ghz have the 9600M with 512MB of VRAM.
I am thinking that it is a physical hardware limitation, but it might be a software limit. I am curious what it is, though.
I am not wanting to hack open the firmware to remove the possible software block, mainly because I don't have a Uni MBP yet

 

[daneoni]

Its a hardware limitation as in the actual card...only has 256MB VRAM built on to it

 

[Quad 2.5 G5 =)]

Its a hardware limitation as in the actual card...only has 256MB VRAM built on to it

So it looks like there are 2 or more models of the 9600M.
Interesting.

 

[The Flashing Fi]

So it looks like there are 2 or more models of the 9600M.
Interesting.

What's interesting about it? This is a very common practice. I believe there's even a 1 GB 9600M GT.

 

[adamvk]

What's interesting about it? This is a very common practice. I believe there's even a 1 GB 9600M GT.

Isn't there a 2GB one too?

edit: Nvm I'm thinking of a different video card. Sorry

 

[alphaod]

So it looks like there are 2 or more models of the 9600M.
Interesting.

Well the memory is soldered on the board, so if you want, you can get 256MB of GDDR3 and solder that to "hack" it.

Note: Voids your warranty and you'll probably fail.

 

[UniPro]

Hahaha I have to admit though I'd love a software hack to unlock 256MB of VRam, that wasn't physically there before. The world would be a better place if we could use software to upgrade our hardware specs.

 

[m1stake]

The only reason for it is so Apple can charge you $500 more when you get the 2.66 or 2.93. They could put 512MB on if they wanted to, but the 9600 isn't powerful enough to really do anything with the extra memory anyway.