6420 processor capability and SSD recomendation

What is the fastest processor that can be installed in a 6420? A i7 2720QM?

Am I looking for a specific package or socket type to order?

Also would I see any real difference between an Intel 320 series SSD and the 510 series on this laptop? Are there other brands of SSD just as reliable and fast these days? My 2.5 year old Intel drive in my outgoing laptop has been great.

 

Theoretically any Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge (when they come out). I have heard heat issues with the i7 quad core processors. PGA988 should be the socket.

For normal usage, you will not notice the difference between a SATA 2 and a SATA 3 SSD. Copying large files you will notice a difference, as E6420 supports SATA 3 but it all depends on what you are doing.

 

Last I saw, that's what the highest option was.

On the website? Well, I vaguely remember the configurator saying something about requiring the nVidia graphics if I took quad-core.

Sustained speeds on 510 are higher, but it's driven by a Marvell controller rather than an Intel one. I would stick with Intel for reliability since they are much more conscious of quality control before going out the door compared with other companies like OCZ (all those failures ought to have raised some sort of flag).

 

Thanks for the input. The laptop is bought and paid for by corporate. The upgrade processor would be on me so I have to order independantly. I'll have the laptop for 2 plus years until the next refresh and use it extensively every day so the upgrade is worth the cost to me. Just wanted to be sure to order the correct processor. I do not have the laptop yet (few days) just the tag number which I can look at the build sheet on Dell. Can I tell from all those codes which graphics processor they spec'd it with. My last 3 Latittudes have all had the Nvidia graphics upgrade but....

The build codes are diffecult to decipher, anyone have a legend?

On the intel 510 SSD, is the Marvell controller a problem? Is it a higher failure rate or compatibility issue? The faster speed is what I would be after but not at the cost of reliability.

 

Not sure if you can upgrade it after:

- Of the CPU options, the only quad core listed is the 2720QM.
- Selecting the 2720QM forces you to change your graphics card to the nVidia NVS 4200M for Quad Core.
- For Quad Core??? Well, there were two entries for nVidia graphics on the configurator: "nVidia® NVS™ 4200M 512MB DDR3 Discrete Graphics for Dual Core" (pn 320-1906) and "nVidia® NVS™ 4200M 512MB DDR3 Discrete Graphics for Quad Core" (pn 320-2140)
- Of the processors available, all are 35W max TDP except the 2720QM which is a 45W max TDP.

Based on that information, I *suspect* the reasoning for that configuration requirement is that it's probably a bigger heatsink for that extra 10W. If that's the case, it might be asking for trouble to change it.

Also, if you swap out the CPU, you will need to change the thermal pads on the CPU and GPU (there was a post in the E6420 lounge about this, thickness of the pads, etc.).

I would personally go with the 320. That extra speed probably won't make much of a noticeable difference.

The thing I don't like about the 510 is that it's a stop-gap -- Intel had nothing in the line of SATA 6.0Gbps so they bought Marvell chips since their new one isn't likely to be out anytime soon.

The issues:
- new, unproven design (this is a new design rather than 320 which is building on the existing X25, yet they price it almost as if it were proven reliable like the 320)
- unoriginal compared to the competition (the firmware and the QA arguably set it apart from other companies using Marvell controllers, but it's still got the same limitations),
- costs more, yet they don't really offer that much more compared to the 320 or the competition (I mean, the 320 160GB costs about 20$ more over the 510 120GB... then there's the 320 120GB which costs 50-70$ *less*),
- more likely to be dumped to the side and discontinued if things don't go right (Intel made the controller in the X25 and the 320, but they bought the chip from Marvell in the 510... since it has the Marvell logo, it's a Marvell part which means if Marvell has an unresolvable issue, there's not much Intel can do about it).

 

Thanks for the indepth response. Seems I may be jumping the gun on the processor upgrade. Need to 'watch and wait' unitl all the material facts for the upgrade are known. If I need a different heat sink would need to order that as well and would much rather get this from an aftermarket dell parts dealer. Very few parts in channels for this model yet.

I took your advise on the 320 series drive (and a prod by a great deal for an open box new retail kit on Amazon - 249 for a 160GB!) Also Intel extended the warranty on the 320 series to 5 years.

I'll go with that and 2GB (stuck with 32bit windows) more memory for now and hold on the processor until someone else documents what is required or different for the quad core.

 

There's apparently a firmware update pending for an issue some people have been getting where the drive locks up and you need to secure-erase it (BAD_CTX). Apparently it's not something new but maybe it's only being noticed more because more people are buying. Meanwhile, I have a X25-V on my desktop and have never had said issue (though maybe it's more apparent in laptops).

32-bit Windows? As in XP?

The configurator won't let you max it out, but I would go ahead and get extra memory anyway, since it's still better than none even if it gets cut off.

 

32 bit as in Windows 7 32bit Professional is the corporate standard and pre-installed by Dell. The laptop is comming from Dell with 1 2gb sodimm installed, I was going to add a second. Why would I spend money for more than 4gb under 32bit Win7?

Is this firmware update for the 320 series Intel SSDs available yet? Can you point me to a forum or discussion where it is being actively tracked if not?

Back on the 2720QM processor upgrade, I have looked at many photos of disassembled 6420s across the web and the quad processor (perhaps others) does indeed have a larger dual heat pipe and larger blower heat sink assembly. No idea on that part number but its easy to recognize with the bottom cover off. Would need that heat sink assembly to change processors....it looks expensive from Dell. Anyone have the part number and a source?

 

It just makes things simpler if it's maxed out. It can address up to 4GB, though visible will probably be only 3GB (though user space is supposed to be 2GB). That, and 2GB SODIMMs for this could be obtained relatively cheap compared to buying direct from Dell (I have not done this, my unit came with 8GB as part of a special).

Is 320 firmware buggy?: Intel Communities
SSD power loss report updates: Intel Communities

Unless it's the same part as an existing one, I doubt it will be available separately. And worse still, it's possible it might *look* the same as one form another model but then not match exactly.