Acer Aspire 5720, video, cpu and ram questions

Hello everybody,
a friend of mine has an Acer Aspire 5720 (ZG according to the descriptive label placed near the keyboard) or 5720Z- model no. ICL50 according to a label from the bottom case.
What went wrong with this laptop? It got turned off normally from win7 and 8 hours later a problem appeared. Right after the power button is pressed the display shows an "organic" like shape in black and white. The notebook boots up in windows as the welcoming sound can be heard in the speakers.
I decided to take a look at my friend's Acer and try to figure out what went/is wrong.
I plugged a vga cable in the left side connector to check whether the display got damaged or the video adapter. With the vga cable connected to an external monitor, the image is not as "organic" and black/white as it is shown on Acer's display, actually the image is corrupted, altered,vertical "pijamas like" stripes can be seen all over image.
I decided to recover all the data from the hdd and now I am wondering if the video adapter is the only one damaged or it is damaged the notebook's display too?
So I came to ask for your expertise guys.
The video adapter is a Geforce 8400M GS. In read here on "Acer's MXM models and cards" thread that this adapter is and MXM I type, yet i noticed that MXM II adapters could be used. Shed some light onto that please as I don't understand whether the slot is an MXM I or and MXM II.
Please tell me which other adapters apart of 8400M GS should i start to look for. I noticed that for Aspire 5720G these are the compatible models:
- MXM-II, 8400M GS, 5720ZG Upgrade to HD 2600, Upgrade to 9500M GS, Upgrade to HD 3650, Upgrade to 9650M GT, Upgrade to 9600M GT

Are there any other video adapters compatible or that's all of them?
I presume that there might be others too which might require an improved cooling solution, or underclocked settings in order too keep the video adapter cool enough and not cause heat troubles for the entire notebook.

Another thing I want to ask is related to the CPU. For the moment the notebook is equipped with a Pentium T2310 cpu @1.46/fsb533/1MB l2 cache.
Knowing that the socket used is a socket P cpu, the best socket P cpu i've found (searching here is a T4500. The T4500 is running at 2.3Ghz, is using a 800Mhz FSB, was made in 45 nm litography while the T2310 is working at 1,46GHZ using a 533Mhz fsb and was made in 65 nm litography.
Is it possible to use a 800Mhz FSB processor on 5720Z?
Which one is the best CPU that can be used for this notebook.

The last question is related to the amount and the speed of the Ram that can be installed. Right now it has one 1GB PC2-5300 module, I am wondering if PC2-6400 ddr2 modules could be installed and which is the maximum amount of Ram that could be installed 2x2GB pc6400? 2x4GB? I don't know if 4GB ddr2 modules does exist.
Thanx for your time and looking forward for your replies.
ferdasyn

Later edit:
I've found that the chipset Acer used for this notebook is an Intel LE82PM965 SLA5U 965, shortly PM965.
Reading the chipset's datasheet i managed to find some answers to my questions.

Regarding memory:
-maximum memory supported 4GB ram, so 2x2GB would be the best way
-type of memory supported ddr2 533 and ddr2 667 so no ddr2 800 officially supported yet i believe that ddr2 800 modules might work if they have profiles written in thir spd for ddr2 533 and ddr2 667. Anyway, best solution here is 2x2GB ddr2 667.

Regarding cpu:
-533MHZ and 800MHZ support
-source synchronous double pumped (2x) address
-source synchronous quad pumped (4x) data
The list of the compatible products is quite various, yet i don't see the cpu that is actually used by this Acer notebook.
Now, i understand that the chipset oficially supports various types of cpu's, the point is to match with the socket form factor and of course to be supported by motherboard's bios.
So in theory the list of possible upgrades when it comes about cpu is big enough in theory but in practice it needs the support from bios.
The list:
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9500 (6M Cache, 2.60 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9300 (6M Cache, 2.50 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor U7500 (2M Cache, 1.06 GHz, 533 MHz FSB) Socket P
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor U7500 (2M Cache, 1.06 GHz, 533 MHz FSB) Socket M
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T8300 (3M Cache, 2.40 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T8100 (3M Cache, 2.10 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor U7600 (2M Cache, 1.20 GHz, 533 MHz FSB) Socket M
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor U7600 (2M Cache, 1.20 GHz, 533 MHz FSB) Socket P
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor U7700 (2M Cache, 1.33 GHz, 533 MHz FSB) Socket P
Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processor X7800 (4M Cache, 2.60 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processor X7900 (4M Cache, 2.80 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processor X9000 (6M Cache, 2.80 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)

 

The video card is dead. This failure mode is typical for 8400GS.

The CPU goes up to T9500.
The Socket M CPUs won't work under any circumstances.

 

thank you very much .NetRoller 3D for infos
So the video adapter is dead, perhaps the display is still ok, I'll find out after I'll find a compatible adapter for this model of notebook. So, I thought that if another video adapter is needed I should suggest my friend to place the best possible components that could be used in this notebook. A failed video adapter is a good reason to perform a complete upgrade.
Reading your signature I assume you already managed to upgrade your 5720ZG to its highest limit possible. Am I right?
So I should specifically look for socket P cpu's to avoid any possible headaches, yet I'm curious if you could describe a little(just for curiosity's sake) which are the circumstances to make a socket M processor work on a socket P .
So up to T9500, I see you use an T9300. Did you performed any improvements regarding the cooling system or you're using the genuine one provided by the notebook?
Hmmm is it possible to go up with VGA adapter till GT230M ? It sounds like a great improvement from that M8400GS. No headaches so far with the cooling?

And yessss, I see you changed your display too, I guess the one put inside by Acer is using some 1280x800 junk, so nice improvement for your display too , congrats!
Only 2GB in your machine? I already tried earlier today, but after my first post to add a 2GB ddr667 module beside the 1GB and i saw that in bios the module is recognized properly.
About the bios version you use...any link ? In fact do you have a link, or do you have a thread in which you describe all your upgrades? I believe it might prove to be useful and a nice reading.
With best regards from your east neighbor country,
ferdasyn

 

Basically all MXM-II cards with an onboard VBIOS EEPROM are compatible with the 5720. Upgrade is possible up to GT 330M or Radeon HD4670 - however, the best "easy" upgrade is the GT 240M, from Asus. (The GT 230M, GT 330M and HD4650 require SMD soldering skills, while the HD4670 is made of 99.8% unobtanium.)

There is absolutely no way to make a Socket M CPU work in a Socket P machine. The pinouts are completely different. (Also, Socket M CPUs are much weaker than Socket P ones.)

No need to mod the cooler for the T9500 - being 45nm, it generates less heat than the T7500 which is the highest CPU this machine officially came with.

The display mod is a bit more complex - the display cable used in the 5720G is only usable up to 1440x900 (if you can find a single-link 1440x900 display - they are rare), to go higher, you need a 7720G display cable. Also, the Intel GMA version of the 5720 likely can't go beyond 1680x1050.

"Black Edition V4.0" is available in the Acer MXM modding thread.

 

Thanx a lot for all infos
So to sum it up all of them, I already found the bios in the section indicated by you, congratulations for all the work you did and the time you've spent in modifying all kind of bioses.
Regarding the cpu a T9500 or T9300, socket m processors are for socket m mobos it was a silly question which bears no relevance in this case after all.
The cooling is good enough so no need to look for something else.
Regarding the display I think it is a tricky upgrade, if requires a specific cable which might be easy to find or not, not to mention the display itself and its price which I believe is quite high. Anyway i'm curious what notebook model is hosting such a panel part number as you have in your signature: LP154WU1-TLC1. From its style I believe it is a LG panel.
The last thing, the video adapter, in fact the only thing that is not functional, up till GT 240M (taken from an Asus) no rework skills required.
As a matter of fact i do have pretty good rework skills the only problem is that i do not own the tools anymore ) I used to work as a rework operator on a gsm assembly line(off line job bga removals/resolderings, shileds r/r) and qfp, bqfp or soic components is just something ordinary. But no tools
So, in case of finding some/one in my area with rework equipment a GT230M, GT330M on nvidia behalf and HD4650 and HD4670 on Ati's one. What do you mean by HD4670 unobtainum, it is a hard to find piece or hard to rework on it ?
the fianl idea is regarding the Sata. It is using Sata II or perhaps SATA(1)? I was wondering if a larger HDD won't make a big difference in this case, as the notebook comes with a just a tiny 160GB Toshiba drive. Or maybe a SSD? I guess a SATA3 SSD is not worth as it is more expensive with no visible performance increase in case the notebook provides only SATA2 or even worse, SATA(1) interface.
Fianlly the best idea might be a 7200rot/min hard drive? Or a combination consisting in a 60-120GB Sata2 SSD (maybe Sandforce2 [something]) and a 7200 rot/min hard drive installed in the optical drive bay with the inconvenient of sacrificing the optical unit.

Thanks a lot, you provided me a handful of informations all i need to do is to find the right spares/upgrades.

 

The LP154WU1-TLC1 is sold on eBay by this name. Yes, it is LG. (If you prefer glossy panels, get the LP154WU1-TLA2.)

The HD4670 needs no rework, but it is impossible get, unless you are disassembling a broken MSI EX625 or GX623. MSI, clinging to its monopoly, refuses to ship spare HD4670s to their customers, requiring users with failed MXM cards to send in their complete laptop to get the card replaced - they are that worried about the HD4670 "leaking" to the free market.
The GT 230M, GT 330M and HD4650 are much easier to find (they are sold on most Toshiba spare sites), but they require modding.

The SATA interface is Gen2 (300MB/s).

 

Thanx once again for all the details you shared.
I checked on the local version of ebay for a display cable. If the part number is right DC02000E100 I could get it for something like 50 RON (43,5 ROn=10 euro)
Here is the cable with some pictures.
If you have a minute please take a look at that cable and tell me if all the required connectors are present. I am not aware how it should look like such a cable, how many connectors it has and if there is anything that is missing or not. Thanks
I hope this cable is the right one to attain 1920x1200 resolution.
One question about the cable: the connector that is getting plugged into the mainboard has the same shape/size/number of pins with the connector at the end of 5720G display cable that 'gets plugged into the mainboard of a 5720G ? I assume the connector from the other end of the cable is different somehow, otherwise it would be pretty much the same cable.
Or... a 7720G display cable will work but with some mods.


If the sata intreface is Sata2, then a Sanforce2 ssd would be a great idea.

Never knew that ati 4670 is a monopoly exclusively for MSI.. that's really odd and unexpected to hear of.

Thanx for all the knowledge shared .NetRolller 3D!

 

DC02000E100 is exactly what I used.

The 5720G and 7720G have exactly the same motherboard, so the connector also matches.

 

I talked with the owner of this notebook and the first step for the upgrade was done yesterday. He bought that adapter cable for a future 1920x1200 15.4 inches display. I reckon that it is a small step though, but it is a start.
I kept in searching for a new (or used) video adapter compatible with his notebook, yet no luck so far in the local area/ local sites for used notebook components.
The most important is that video adapter, the notebook is not functional without it.
That would be the second step done when such an adapter will be available somewhere nearby.
The third planned step is to upgrade the ram and to add another 2GB ddr2 667 module. I think it will be the easyest step from all points of view.
The fourth step is the upgrade for a SSD or a higher capacity HDD (not decided yet).
The fifth step is about the upgrade of the CPU.
The last step/sixth is the display, and i have a noob question about that:
I guess the display requires an adequate inverter, I guess it is not going to work with the inverter used by the actual display, so when the time for this upgrade/final step will come, shall I try to find a proper display which has to be already equipped with an adequate inverter?
I think that is the last question I have but I am sure that other questions will arise when the upgrades will start to become parts in this notebook.
thanx in advance .NetRolller 3D

 

The inverter doesn't need to be upgraded, as long as you use a display with single-CCFL backlight. (Dual-CCFL needs a new inverter; upgrades to LED are not currently possible.) The LP154WU1-TLC1 and -TLA2 are both signle-CCFL.

 

I see, thanx again for such valueable informations you share, so the inverter is adequate as long as the replacement for display wil be either a LP154WU1-TLC1 or a LP154WU1-TLA2. I guess these two are the only ones that will work as an upgrade to have a 1920x1200 display on an Acer 5720G, no other part numbers will work? I checked on ebay and i've found various LP154WU1, most of them diferent than TLC1 and TLA2.
Anyway, that's the last upgrade that will be done, still plenty of time to get informations about displays.
All the best of luck in everything Netroller and a virtual beer from me
Cheers

 

Actually, any LP154WU1, LTN154U1 or LTN154U2 will work (and some others), but -TLC1 and -TLA2 will give you the best image. Other LP154WU1 variants tend to have lower brightness, contrast ratio, or both; LTN154U1/U2 has a response time of 25ms, or for some variants, 35ms.
(LP154WU1-TLC2 and -TLA1 have 16ms response time, 500:1 contrast, and 210+ cd/m2 brightness.)

The inverter is usually not an issue.

 

Thanx Net Roller.
I've found for this notebook a video adapter which I think it's suitable. It is a GT9650M 1GB ram( i don;t know if the memory on the card is ddr2 or ddr3) and I'm wondering which driver version could work with this 5720Z. I've seen that someone used same type of adapter with 5720Z but in Windows 7. I need to find a suitable driver for win Xp (if there is any).
If you are aware of a win xp(x86) driver that might work for a GT9650M please tell me. I downloaded all the rest of the drivers for win xp, the only one left that I need to find is for that video adapter.
Anyway, the adapter wasn't purchased yet, its price is about 100 euro and i was wondering if you think that it is a good deal, or if there is a better option for the same amount of money.
Thank you very much for such great amount of useful tips and informations, I'll bear in mind that only 2 display part numbers/models that are worth to upgrade are the ones you've told me about are the ones you mentioned since the very beginning.
Cheers

 

The card is DDR2, which means, it'll be rather slow. A 9600M GT DDR3 is a HUGE lot faster. I'd say get a 9600M GT or an FX 770M, with DDR3 memory - you will be glad you did.

If you still end up purchasing the 9650M, then the right video drivers are the ones for Asus Z97V - the 9650M is the Z97V's factory card.

 

Thank you Net Roller, untill now that's the best suitable adapter I could find in Romania. I'll try to keep on searching if you say that it is not worth the money, the the guy who sells the adapter has 9 pieces of 9650GT, but no other types available. All th other adapters that I've found so far are lower entry level models.
Thanx again

 

I've found some 9600M GT ddr3 on sale on a lithuanian store on e bay.
Could you please tell me which part number will work?
The first has this part number: G96-630-A1 VG.9PG06.006
The other just VG.9PG06.006, i guess it is the same card with the description truncated. Both are on sale by the same store The first is listed at 158$ while the other is at 126$.
Thanx in advance NetRoller , I think that 9600GT is the best option I could go so far,I couldn't find anything better than that and of course reasonably priced.
Ahh and one more thing: what type of detonator will work for win xp 32?
Cheers!

 

They should be the same.

No driver identifying itself as "Detonator" will ever support a 9600M GT (or a 8600M GT for that matter); "Detonator" was used back in the "Riva TNT" era.

You can find working drivers for XP on laptopvideo2go.com

(However, why do you insist on strangling the machine with XP? 7 does a much better job at power management on modern laptops.)

 

I see, well I used "detonator" as a general term for nvidia drivers hehe, I hope you will forgive me about that

The notebook belongs to a friend of mine who works as a dental technician, actually the notebook belongs to the national association of the dental technicians in Romania(OTDR) and he simply cannot install win 7 as the notebook was bought with windows vista, but since windows vista is crap and win 7 cannot be installed without legit license (they don't have money to spend for 41 Win7 licenses - for all 41 laptops in all counties in Romania) he will either have to stick with Vista or with win XP (he already owns a win XP license from o previous computer, license that is still eligible to be used).

So any driver from laptopvideo2go.com will work? For example the latest available for win xp 32 bit is 295.51. I downloaded this one.
Thank you so much for your help

P.S. the power management is not relevant here the notebook is always used indoor with its AC adapter, the power draw is irrelevant as it never runs out of "juice" hehe, the key is to use as less resources as possible and to offer the best performance possible till the processor and ram upgrade will be performed. the video card was the big problem, because the machine cannot be used without.

Best regards Net Roller, I highly appreciate your valuable ideas and suggestions.

 

The video card will be shipped tomorrow A local distributor asked me if a LP154WU2(TL)(A2) with two CCFL connectors will be of any good. I know it comes with two connectors and I guess it requires another inverter but they supply the inverter too along with the display. The question is whether it is compatible or not with the cable already purchased (from a 7720G). I guess LP154WU2 is newer than LP154WU1, but i have no clue if it comes with any improvements, maybe improvements in terms of brightness if it comes with two CCFL connectors If it is not compatible then a LP154WU1 TL A2 or TL C1.
Best regards

 

Actually, I'm not even sure that the LP154WU2-TLA2 is the same high-contrast display as the WU1-TLA2. It could also be similar to the LP154WU1-TLB1, with its 180 cd/m2 brightness, and 200:1 contrast ratio (as opposed to 220 cd/m2 and 600:1 for the WU1-TLA2). The WU2's suffixes likely don't map exactly to the WU1's ones.

 

Ahh I see so it is a risky option.
Anyway, I checked on LG's display/panels site and from a .pdf I've found out the general specifications for 154WU2. I have no clue about the suffixes those new WU2 has, it seems it is a general description of the that panel model:

Category LP154WU2
Resolution 1920X1200
Aspect Ratio WUXGA 16:10
Number of Colors 262K (6 bit)
Brightness (nit) 340
Contrast Ratio 500:1(min.)
Color Saturation (%) 72 (gamut)
Viewing Angle (°, H/V) 120/110
Response Time (ms) 16
Interface LVDS 2 Port
Outline Dimension (mm) 344.0X225.0
Thickness (mm)(max.) 7.00
Power Cosumption† (W) 10.7
Weight (g) 635
Remarks Y-stack
MP Schedule MP

Best idea is to stick with your first recommendation TL C1 or TL a@ from WU1.
Best regards

 

The 9600M GT adapter arrived this morning, and I have a totally noob question or rather I would like to call it stupid question hehe.
In order to attach/fix the cooling to the MXM card there are 4 screws used for that. They require a sort of back plate which has attached on it 4 female screws. That backplate is present on the old 8400M but not present on the 9600M.
The one on 8400GS is glued firmly and i have no idea how to remove it and reuse it.
What to do... and how to remove that back plate?
thanx for any tip

Later edit:
I used a surgical knife (scalpel) and I managed to remove the back plate from the 8400GS card.... sticky glue.
I placed in on the bottom of the 9600 card and all went smooth and fine.
So it is working now, problem solved

One little annoying thing: right before the POST sequence a counter appears in the upper left corner of the screen, it countdowns from 30 seconds to 0 and then in boots up.

I entered the bios, saved the new configuration (after the replacement of the new video adapter) but the countdown is still there.
Perhaps the bios needs to be manually reset, any idea how to get rid of the countdown?
On the other hand, the bios is the old one, didn't performed yet the update to the version provided by you, but if it is a must, then i'll do it right away.

Best regards.

 

Install the BIOS mod in the MXM modding thread. That should solve it.

 

Thanx for the tip, I installed/updated it and the counter vanished.
I installed windows XP SP3, then all the drivers, except the one for the video adapter.
Either I don't know how to install it or else, there is something wrong with that driver version.
I went to laptopvideo2go.com and I've got the latest version -> 295.51.
In the "list devices.txt" the support for a 9600M GT is listed as being supported (DEV_0649&SUBSYS_90131043) by the nvdd.inf. Still it is not working, neither after trying to manually install it nor after running by automatically procedure (setup.exe)
Running by the general setup it gives me a "Required files are missing"
Trying to manually install it and pointing directly to the folder that contains that particular .inf, leads to no driver found.
Do I miss something here in the procedure?

I checked in the device manager the exact Device instance ID and hardware ID for that video card:

Device Instance Id:
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0649$SUBSYS_056710DE&REV_A1\4&239D83FF&0&0008

Hardware Ids:
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0649$SUBSYS_056710DE&REV_A1
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0649$SUBSYS_056710DE
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0649$CC_030000
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0649$CC_0300
.

I suppose the nvdd.inf has to be modified with some suitable editor :-??

Give me an idea and thanx a lot for support

Regards


Today edit:
I think I've found one driver that works... damn it took me several hours to find it.
Going to laptopvideo2go.com in the PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_ I looked for 0649 and in the &SUBSYS_ I looked for 056710DE
The latest realease for Win xp x86 is 180.70
Firstly, I downloaded the driver then the modified .inf. I extracted the .exe and replaced the genuine .inf with the modified one.
and...Success!
I don't have the patience anymore to try other versions, many of the new ones provides no modified .inf along with the driver (the .inf cannot be find even tho it is mentioned there) and it took me hours till I've found the 180.70 which is flawless.
I guess newer versions might offer some improvement regarding the performance, but for now I'm good with that.

I run a 3dm2003 just to see if everything is ok. the score seems right with that poor cpu.
Thank you NetRoller for all your help and for the bios that solved the countdown issue.

All the best !

 

Actually, more modern drivers will also work; just don't use the modded inf from LV2go, instead mod an inf file yourself.

 

I'm glad that it might work with "closer to these days" drivers, but I have no idea what exactly and how to mod an inf.
I will try to if I'll find a tutorial or if you'll have time and patience to tell me how to do it

 

Hi there! How's it going? Is there any further news on the upgrade?

 

Hi there sorrow932, no other upgrades were done in the past 6 months, maybe in the next couple of months the CPU will be upgraded and perhaps the memory too.

Regarding the memory, there is a strange behavior regarding the speed it runs. Both modules are certified 667Mhz 5.5.5.15 but they run at 533 4.4.4.12 with a fsb to dram ratio of 1:2. As the bios offers no option to change this ratio neither the fsb nor any other fsb to ram option, or any options to adjust anything... I was wondering whether(or not) in case of a 200Mhz FSB cpu like T9300 another fsb to dram ratio like 4:3 will get enabled, so the ram should work at its maximal specifications(166Mhz ddr2 667).

Now for a 133Mhz FSB cpu, like the one used at present in the laptop (Pentium T2310, 1466mhz=133x11) the only ratio available is 1:2 so the ram is stuck at 266(533) instead of 667mhz(1:3 ratio), any chance to unlock the 1:3 ratio?

Thank you in advance for any idea.

Later Edit: I removed the 1GB module then the 2GB module and I checked if there is any chance the modules "don't like each other". Same results, both modules while running in single channel in the first(the bottom one) slot are running at 1:2 ratio and 266 mhz(ddrII 533) instead of 1:3 ratio and 333mhz (ddrII 667).
So there is no problem with the "pairing" of the modules as they work even in single mode only at 266Mhz.
Is there any known issue regarding the chipset, or the intel chipset drivers? I really don't get why the memories are underclocked using the 133Mhz spd profile with more tight timings 4-4-4-12 instead of the 166Mhz spd profile with the more relaxed ones 5-5-5-15. As much as I know, on intel platforms the benefit of the bandwith comes first then the benefit of the tight latencies.
Does the chipset do not know about certain multipliers in this case 1:3 ?

I hope you netroller3D will have some time to read this post i guess you are among the few ones to know how the bios is structured internally (as I use a bios modified by you) and whether the 1:3 (and others) ratios are available or not.
Well, i think I've found an answer by myself.. it seems Acer Aspire 5720Z works with the memory clocked exclusively at 133/533mhz:, but the notebook is a 5720ZG. There is a certain limitation regarding the 1:3 ratio, i have the service guide for 5720-5720G saying that 667Mhz modules are supported, but it seems it doesn't apply for Z and ZG. Did you experienced any ram speed troubles netroller ?

 

The chipset doesn't support ratios higher than 1:2. In other words, a 533MHz CPU will also limit your memory to 533MHz. Installing a 800MHz CPU should enable the higher memory clocks.

 

Thank you very much for your answer, so a T9300 having a 200mhz fsb will enable the 4:3 ratio so the memory should work at 667. I guess it works flawless for you. Thanx a lot for information, I will read more about the limitations of this chipset, you really made me wanna know more . I'll be back with impressions after the upgrade of the CPU and memory will be done. Cheers and thanx once again netroller !

 

The T9300 has arrived and today I managed to install it in the notebook.
Indeed the fsb/ram ratio has changed and now the memory works at its normal specs. I hope later on i'll be back with some test results, for now just a print screen with cpuz, gpuz and cpuid hw monitor.
Next small step a 2GB ddr2 667 module instead of 1Gb still used now, then a 120GB SSD will follow and finally the display.
One interesting idea brought to my attention by the owner of this laptop: is it possible that also the wireless module to be upgraded from the actual Atheros 5007 EG which is a 802.11 B/G to some B/G/N module? The wireless router has been upgraded to some Asus n16 and the owner would like to fully use that N spec. Possible or not?
cheers!

 

yes wireless i easyjust insert a new module.

 

well that's great then, thanx for sharing squee666. I'll have to find then a B/G/N module with drivers for win xp as win 7 it is still not an option.
In the mean time I did a cpu-z validation for this final cpu this machine will use here and I performed some tests with Everest
Cpu Queen:10521
Cpu PhotoWorxx: 9754
Cpu ZLib: 32261 KB/s
Cpu AES: 9254
Fpu Julia: 4583
Fpu Mandel: 2354
Fpu SinJulia: 1230

 

As for the WiFi, I would recommend Intel 5300 - it's not just B/G/N, it's A/B/G/N, meaning it can also work in the less-crowded 5GHz band.

Make sure you get one made for a Dell machine (half size, small triangles identifying the antenna connections) - many cards on eBay are made for HP or IBM/Lenovo machines only (these have nonstandard pinouts to prevent installation in other machines), while others - especially ones with no OEM identification on them - are ES cards that will cause driver problems.
(You will also need a half-to-full size extension plate to install a Dell card, plus a 3rd antenna if you want too run the 5300 at its maximum 450MB/s speed.)

 

or you can try a Killer Wireless 1102 also.

NBR sales here has them going cheap

 

Hey .NetRolller3D
Very interesting I checked and I see there are two types, a long card and a small one. Already found one but unfortunately it is the long version for HP and Lenovo, not the small one, hmm, the half to full size is just an extension so the card could fit properly inside Acer and the 3rd antenna is just the same as the other 2? Because I think I still have the 2 antenna cables from a Toshiba, but where is this third wire supposed to be layed? Along with the other 2 on the backside of the display?
Anyway very interesting, I'll have to read more about that and perhaps I'll suggest this upgrade too if a card will be available in the area.
Thanx a lot for information netroller

Edit: I'll take a look at Killer Wireless 1102 too, tnx for the tip squee666

Later edit: what about Killer Wireless-N 1103 and Intel Pro Wireless 6300 /633ANHMW

 

Hi there guys!

I have been following this thread for a while as a guest and found your help priceless, thank you all!! I have already upgraded my aspire 5720G with a used Intel Core2Duo T8300 CPU @ stock speed 2.4 GHz, running great and cool. This was the second upgrade, the first was a switch to 60Gb Corsair Force Series Sata II SSD (almost 2 years ago).
Both upgrades, CPU and SSD, gave HUGE boost to my 5720 and are highly recommended to anyone, as these are pretty simple upgrades for almost anyone who has ever opened up a pc or laptop before and knows the basic hardware stuff... I will only mention boot-up time is less than 25sec for Win7 Ultimate 64bit / 8sec for Ubuntu 12.04..... I could stick to these, I am really happy with my baby's performance in what i do in everyday use, but I 've got "the fever" now.... expecting an ATI mobility radeon in a while

I just got a memory module to deal with the RAM upgrade. It's a Hynix DDR2 sodimm PC2-6400. I only bought 1 as I didn't know if it would work, and it does, but not quite so... It runs the same speed as the previous PC2-5300 (667MHz) modules,even though it is recognized as 800MHz module in my cpu-z. I saw netroller's post about max memory 2x2Gb 667MHz but thought I should try 800MHz, as it is Intel GM965 chipset, natively supporting 200MHz FSB and therefore (theoretically) 200MHz SPD RAM speed (so 4x200=800 DDR2 speed). The strange thing is that, even though I expected a small performance decrease with only 1 module instead of 2 and 667MHz speed as before, I actually got a small increase! I got an extra 100p in PCMark7, and it was due to a 4fps -->6fps increase in its DirectX 9 gaming test.
This was with stock bios v1.45. I flashed my bios back to BlackEdition v1.45, which I had abandoned earlier due to a problem waking up from hibernation (common thing with some SSDs), messed a lot with manual SPD trying to change something in the DDR timing but nothing. DDR runs @ 667MHz 5-5-5-15 (cpu-z), no matter what bios change I do.

As you can imagine, there are several questions here:
1) Can I get my RAM to run @ 800 MHz somehow?
2) Can someone alter anything in RAM speed using Black Edition modded BIOS, cause I didn't notice any change.
3) Can this small improvement to the gaming test above be due to the VGA card (still stock Nvidia 8400 GS) being able to somehow use a faster module (800Mhz) the way it should, while the Northbridge considers it a 667MHz memory?

Anyone with a clue about the issue please, don't hesitate...

**Edit: I forgot to mention that 3dMark Vantage test (Entry level...) didn't have any significant difference with the RAM change.

 

Hello people, I have found the discussion very interesting. I'm waiting for a 9600m GT for an upgrade and I hope everything will be fine

Acer Aspire 5720g
Intel T9300 @ 2.50GHz
Nvidia 8400m GS
Ram 4GB ddr2 pc2-5300

 

I am working on an acer aspire 5720G, and currently suffering a decolorized display with pajama like stripes, splintered into six different locations on my monitor. I have removed the dust that was built up around the exhaust vent, but I am afraid that I am too late. After running anti virus scans, updates, and reinstalling the NVIDIA driver twice, I have realized that my graphics card is cooked (or at least I think it is: the computer no longer recognizes its existence.) Should I have it replaced with an identical card, or would it be petter to purchase a different version?

Tanks for taking the time to read this.

 

ATI HD3650 would be a good choice although prices and availability have a lot to do with your actual choice.
Check out this thread too if you haven't done so already.