T500: GPU hard-wired or on a MXM-board?

[emwe]

Hello,

does somebody have information on wether the GPU is hard-wired to the T500 motherboard or if it sits on an exchangeable MXM-module?

According images on the ATI/AMD pages, it looks like the 3650 mobility sits on a MXM-II board, the 3850 mobility on a MXM-III board. (The latter most likely due to more space needed for memory chips, which is actually the main purpose for the bigger MXM-III board.)

If I am spinning the wheel further, the W500 has a FireGL5700 with 512GDDR3. This could *perhaps* mean it sits on a MXM-III board like the 3850 (also with 512GDDR3). So it might be actually an option - later on - to exchange the T500s 3650 even with a MXM-III module based GPU. (Assumed it actually is recognized and working correctly.)

Has somebody actually disassembled his T500 and can give a better insight? I've searched the net and couldn't find any info, yet.

Thanks for any details!
Michael

[comptiger5000]

So by that logic, we could put a better GPU in the W500 (if we could cool it). Not sure on whether it's a card though. I kind of doubt it.

[truk]

This was something I was discussing with my brother last night. With the hybrid graphics, and the way Lenovo set up options, it would make it easier to assemble with a separate GPU, so I think they are. I have a t400 on the way I'd like to upgrade if there was a way. I may check it out when it gets here.

[BillMorrow]

the HMM (hardware maintenance manual) for your thinkpad is your friend, here..

download the one for your model and it should explain all..

[emwe]

Oh man.. if my logic actually works out...

Bill, thanks for the ref to the HMM.

Honestly, the doc confuses me: (When refering to pages below, I am refering to the physical ones)

According to the system board chart on page 112, the GPU sits right next to the CPU (item "b"). When having a look at the fan chart on page 98 (top view) and the bottom chart on page 97 (bottom view) the location is clear. The top chart on page 97 indicates only cooling for the ICH and its integrated GMA-4500.

When looking at the exploded chart on page 130 I can't actually identify a GPU unit at all. Just the socketed CPU and "below" the big ICH. Item "c" in this drawing is a "(c) Bracket, VGA, fan discrete/integ." detailed on page 171.

Judging from these charts and some item replacement charts at the very beginning, there might be a little less space for a MXM-II (72mmx78mm) or an even bigger MXM-III (82mmx100mm) module. I might be wrong though. (Page 94 gives another good overview.)

Opinions?

Michael

[Troels]

The GPU is soldered in (an they have always been). There's no MXM slot.
Few if any are still following comon MXM standards. Loads of different MXM-like cards are released, and one is incompatible with another, because the manufacturer has their own point of view of letting users upgrade their video cards.
In other words: they know that they can just as well sell a new laptop, if what the customer wanted was better graphics performance - especially now that laptops are very popular.

[emwe]

Troels, thanks for smashing my hope

No, actually I felt is going to be like that. Nevertheless the T500 in my favourite config (NK24S(GE)) is the best fitting notebook on the market for my claims. I was just in the hope - as the 3650 is performing a little worse then the 9600gt - that it might be replaceable with a better one later on.

Is there some semi-public info on upcoming models with perhaps better ATI graphics options for the T500 or even W500 series?

Thanks for your replies!
Michael

[Troels]

Sorry for smashing your hope

From what i heard though, the pinout of the AMD/ATi GPUs are compatible throughout the series (for example R5xx, R6xx...) so if you can solder out the 3650, it could probably be replaced with something better.
Actually models within one series is identical with one another, but it is locked to perform what it is permitted to, through the AtomBIOS. I'm sure the same is the case for Nvidia.

I don't know of any new laptop chipsets from AMD/ATi, but i somehow expect their next move to be something not as powerful, but integrated, to take up the fight with the 9400M/9300M. ATi hasn't been active with integrated since the x1250 i think.