Acer Aspire 8730G CPU Upgrade (C2D T6400)

Hi guys, first time actually creating a topic here.

As of late, I just got rid of my Sony Vaio VGN-FW140D for CAD$800, and used the money to get a 2nd hand Aspire 8730G.

Wonderful machine I might add, far superior screen saturation, contrast and colour gamut compared to the Sony, but the CPU performance difference is immdediately noticeable (almost similarly specced, the Sony had a 7200 RPM 320GB Seagate HDD, the one in the 8730G is a 320GB RPM WD Blue, and the RAM in the Sony VS 8730G is 800MHz VS 667MHz, also noticeable to me).

I plan to upgrade the RAM and HDD soon enough, no problem, but the main question lies with the CPU...

The T6400

With the latest updated BIOS for the Phoenix based BigBear2 mobo on the 8730G (if the 8930 and 8730 share a similar mobo, AFAIK, the newer 8730 and 8930 all use the PM45 based chipset), I believe it should be able to support even the Core 2 Quad processors (I need this power, I do a lot of Photoshop work, compositing, video editing and 3D rendering).

My biggest fear lies in the TDP, where the Q9100 I'm eyeing has a TDP for 45W, but the Penryn based Txxx0 family of processors has a TDP of 35W.

For one, I'm not as certain if the 8730G can handle it if this is the case.

Another option I'm eyeing is the P8700, if the Q9100 is not an option. At the very least it'll be superior to the T6400 in my present 8730G, based on my experience with the FW-140Ds P8400.

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Also, based on this compatibility list: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=209284

A friend of mine owns a laptop utilizing the C2D T5250. Once I get my CPU upgraded, I wouldn't want the T6400 to go to waste, so I plan to give it to him.

Both fall under Socket P and have similar TDP, however, if the T5250 runs on the GM965/PM965 chipset (or the same family), I'm not certain if a BIOS update is actually sufficient to allow the laptop to be retro-fitted with the T6400.

There's also the issue of different BUS speeds, so there maybe a chance that the T6400 maybe down-stepped to a lower clock speed depending on the multiplier?

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Would anyone be willing to shed some light on this newbie? n.n;

 

I think the results of running a T6400 on GM965/PM965 aren't going to satisfy your friend. I have tried the T6400 in a PM965-equipped Compal FL90, in which it basically ran but lagged horrendously. I also tried it in a Clevo M570RU-U - it ran but felt a little iffy (random restarts while gaming).
Long story short - the Centrino 2 era T6400 won't work corrently in a Santa Rosa era machine.

 

Thanks, that's very good to know!

Guess I must deal with the CPU one way or the other then =)

 

CPU Upgrade complete

Upgraded from a T6400 to a T9600 without a hitch.

Temperatures dropped from 45 degrees centigrade average to 35 degrees! Ambient room temperature is about 24-27 degrees C.