AlexakaRosco
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Can I upgrade my video card on PowerBook G4 17"?

Can I upgrade my video card on PowerBook G4 17"? 1.67 GB (PowerBook 5.9, 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM). I have ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 M (ATY,RV360M11, 128 MB). I want to increase the level of graphics. Is it possible to replace the card?

 

Message was edited by: AlexakaRosco

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8), I use PowerBook G4 on PPC G4

Posted on Mar 8, 2013 2:57 AM

by Knucklesmac,Solvedanswer
Knucklesmac Knucklesmac
Level 4 (2,225 points)
A:

Hello,

 

Sadly not, these GPU's are fixed to the board.

The only possible way to upgrade this would be to replace the logic board, however your 1.67GHz was the highest logic board created for the PowerBook 17" before the MacBook Pro's come out. The PowerBook 17" did come with a GPU option when the buyer ordered, but finding anyone that had a higher CPU would be difficult and the cost to put in a replacement logic board in wouldn't be worth the cost of the PowerBook. You would be better off buying a used MacBook Pro 17" from 2006-2008.

Posted on Mar 8, 2013 3:10 AM

Close
AlexakaRosco

Q: Can I upgrade my video card on PowerBook G4 17"?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Knucklesmac,Solvedanswer

    Knucklesmac Knucklesmac Mar 8, 2013 3:10 AM in response to AlexakaRosco
    Level 4 (2,225 points)
    Mar 8, 2013 3:10 AM in response to AlexakaRosco

    Hello,

     

    Sadly not, these GPU's are fixed to the board.

    The only possible way to upgrade this would be to replace the logic board, however your 1.67GHz was the highest logic board created for the PowerBook 17" before the MacBook Pro's come out. The PowerBook 17" did come with a GPU option when the buyer ordered, but finding anyone that had a higher CPU would be difficult and the cost to put in a replacement logic board in wouldn't be worth the cost of the PowerBook. You would be better off buying a used MacBook Pro 17" from 2006-2008.

  • by romko23,

    romko23 romko23 Mar 10, 2013 10:42 PM in response to Knucklesmac
    Level 2 (395 points)
    Mar 10, 2013 10:42 PM in response to Knucklesmac

    Hi, you wrote:

     

    "The PowerBook 17" did come with a GPU option when the buyer ordered, but finding anyone that had a higher CPU would be difficult"

     

    This is news to me since I own a 17 inch 1.67 G4 DDR2 PowerBook.. No where on Everymac.com did it list a separate GPU option for the PowerBook G4. Please cite a source for this? So, did this mean that there was a 256MB ATI Radeon option?