MXM 3.0 Standard

By: Klaus Hinum

Upcoming MXM 3.0 standard with only two card types.

The Mobile PCI Express Module (MXM) is a standardized graphics cards interface for PCI Express GPUs in notebooks (and other small form factor PCs). The upcoming 3.0 standard will include only 2 types instead of the 4 in the current MXM standard (board types MXM-I to MXM-IV).

Type A is designed for graphic cards with 64 or 128 bit memory interface and should fit in all laptops (small to large). The board measures 82x70mm and has a maxmium TDP of 35 Watt.

Type B is designed for a  256 bit memory interface and large (desktop replacement) notebooks. The boards will measure 82x105mm and can deal with up to 75 Watt TDP.

Both types are electrically compatible (same interface). Thermo-mechanical compatibility is also given (the smaller Type A cards fit and work in slots designed for Type B cards).

Features

• up to 16 lanes PCIe Gen2
• 64-bit, 128-bit and 256-bit memor interface using up to 8 DDR2 - GDDR5 memory devices
• up to 4 Dual mode Display Ports (with support for DVI/HDMI)
• 64-Bit, 128-Bit und 256 Bit Speicherinterface für bis zu 8 DDR2-GDDR5 Speichermodule
• one 24-bit dual link LVDS (to connect the internal screen)
• one legacy analog display (multiplexed VGA/TV)
• universal cooling solution for both types (for thermo-mechanical compatibility)

Furthermore, the standard allows OEMs to customize an MXM module. They can change the form factor, remove the VBIOS, change the current supply, and add use the extra signal lines. Still the slots have to work with standardized MXM 3.0 boards.

Concluding, the new 3.0 standard looks promising and should simplify the upgrading or change of an existing MXM 3.0 graphics card in the future. Nevertheless, an upgrade often fails because of the availability of a new MXM board. This problem wont be solved by the new standard but we are anxious to see ...