CPU Compatibility with 5738G

Hello.

I'm from Brazil and have a Acer 5738G-6536. I don't speak English very well, so, sorry...

Recently, I've sent a lot of emails do Acer Support about the CPU compatibility. They can't say to me if this notebook is compatible with the core2extreme and core2quad processors.

The chipset is PM45, the socket is PGA478, both compatible with the quad-core and extreme CPUs, but I don't know if the BIOS is.

May you help me?

Thanks

 

It seems rather unlikely. There are two possible issues- one is the TDP of Core 2 Quad and Core 2 extreme- both are at 45W whereas most C2D are 35W so your cooling system may not be enough.
Second thing- service manual for 5738 series mentions only C2D P7450, T6400, T6600 and T4200.
Also Acer states that 5738 supports "Intel® Core™2 Duo processor with up to 3 MB L2 Cache, supporting Intel® 64 architecture"- while both C2D Extreme and Core Quad use at least 6MB if not 12MB L2 Cache- but that also isn't definite.
If I were you my worry would be TDP- even if C2D Extreme or Core Quad had worked your cooling system might have not been able to cool it enough especially if you plan on gaming which would also add GPU TDP to be handled by the same radiator.

 

The only way to be absolutely sure is to actually get your hands on the cpu and test it out because the manufacturer often says one thing, and practice something else.
Worst possible scenario is that it won't work ... in which case, you return the new cpu and simply upgrade to the high end C2D.

The chipset itself and socket are technically compatible, so the real question here is whether the cooling in the laptop will be adequate.

You have to try to test it, and if it works, then put it under stress and monitor the temperatures.

Laptops can pleasantly surprise you that much is evident, but you do have to be cautious.

 

About the problem of the heating, I believe that I won't have problems, because I live in south of Brazil and here isn't hot.

You said that the support is until 3Mb, but this information does not refers to the processors mentioned? The C2D T9900, that certainly works in this notebook has 6Mb of L2 cache.

My question is if the BIOS supports the C2D Extreme and Core2Quad processors.

P.S. The temperature of my CPU was never above 60ºC when I was playing games that require high performance.

Thanks

 

Another question that I have is about de memory.

All 5738G haves DDR3 RAM, but mine has a DDR2 RAM. Why?

The memory bank are compatible? The same bank that I use for DDR2, will I use for DDR3? And the voltage? The pinage? Can I change the memories in the future?

Thanks a lot

 

DDR2 and DDR3 modules are not compatible- neither physically nor when it comes to voltage (although the latter could probably be changed by BIOS automatically you still won't be able to fit DDR3 module in DDR2 socket.

As for 3MB cache thing- I agree with you- it may refer to the processors mentioned by Acer rather than to what BIOS supports. That's not clear although if you say that 6MB CPU worked with no problems it shouldn't be an issue.

As for TDP it's not about the temperatures where you live but about thermal capacity of the radiator at the end of the heatpipe. If it's designed to work with 35W CPUs and you exceed it by 10W it won't make it and the temperature is not going to go slightly up. It's going to be a big increase.
The other thing is the temperature you mentioned. It's virtually impossible that your CPU peaks @ 60*C. What application do you use to measure temps?

 

Aaaah, I understood...

Here is very cold. I use the HWinfo 32. Today I was playing Resident Evil 5 and the CPU temperature was at 68ºC and the GPU was at 61ºC.

When I'm not playing, the temperature stay at 45ºC, going to the top of 55ºC.

But when I put the notebook on my legs, the temperature reaches 76ºC.

Now, its temperature is 46ºC (114ºF).

So, do you think that my cooling system doesn't support the CPU that has a TPD of 45w?

Thanks

 

It's hard to tell but most CPUs since at least 2005 were 35W so it's reasonable to expect that the cooling system has been designed for such CPUs.
Another hint that kind of supports this theory is the fact that Aspire 5740G that shares the chassis and most likely the radiator with 5738G is advertised to be available with Core i3, Core i5 (both 35W TDP) and Core i7 620 (also 35W) but not with the most popular Core i7 720QM even though the latter is the cheapest Core i7. Core i7 720QM is 45W.

 

Another question that I have is if the ATI Mobility Radeon HD4570 is upgradeable.

I saw on the internet that this model is the MXM-II. Can I upgrade to another video card that is MXM-II.

what's the difference between MXM-II and MXM type A? Can I use both in my 5738G?

 

Felipe, I later updated my MXM thread here - unfortunately, the Radeon HD 4570 is embedded into the motherboard of the 5738G; your machine does not have an MXM slot or card, and thus cannot be upgraded.

 

I saw this page. However, I want to listen the opinion of someone that had already opened the notebook and saw with own eyes.

The AMD information is that the only embedded video cards are the HD3200 and HD4200.

The internet is very useful, has a lot of information, but I don't know what their source.

Thanks for the information.

 

You are mixing up two different things- he meant "embedded into mobo" not embedded system (as in integrated into the chipset).
This notebook series doesn't use MXM modules- there are several different GPUs that were used on 5738/5738G/5738ZG/5536/5336/5326 (all boards are basically the same the difference is CPU, GPU and chipset- some are Intel and some AMD)
You can find photos in the service manual (page 94) but if you insist on being so skeptical you're not gonna believe this either as they used Aspire 5536 as an example on this photos. I can't post a link to the service manual as it's against the rules but it’s easy enough to find.

 

Felipe, I'm actually pleased that you're being skeptical of what you see on the Internet, but keep in mind that I pride myself on having completed thorough research on the Acer MXM thread, and stating clearly if there's an issue.
I even went back and corrected myself a few times when research overruled prior investigations - the 5738G being one of them.

So why not open up your own laptop and see for yourself?

(and sorry for not being clear before - the Radeon HD 4570 is still a dedicated video card, not integrated into the chipset like a Radeon HD 3200/4200, but like the large majority of notebooks on the market, that video card is embedded into the motherboard and can't be swapped out)

 

My 5738G has some particularities.

First, why all 5738G comes with DDR3 and mine comes with DDR2?

If my graphic card is Radeon HD4570, why the mine shows that is Radeon HD4570/5100? I can't understand it. I've tried to open my notebook, but I couldn't. Something holds the cover and I can not open.

Thanks you all for your help and attention

 

Not sure about the different RAM types - the chipset can only take one or the other, after all - but you're not the only one with such a notebook. Another user, MahmoudDewy, also has a DDR2-equipped 5738G.

The reason your GPU shows up as the Radeon HD 4500/5100 is because of the latest ATi driver you got. The Radeon HD 5145 is a renamed and slightly higher-clocked HD 4570; since the driver can be used for both of them, it combines their listing in the setup information, and thus Windows. Have a look here and here

In the regards to opening up the system, some intrepid users already have - see here and here later in the same topic.
It also points towards not having an upgradeable graphics card: if the 5738G had an MXM slot, we'd see it in those pics.

 

And what about the CPU? Do you think that my notebook accepts quad-core CPU or I must use a dual-core? In this case, can I use a Core2Extreme? I won't consider the TDP, because I've already made a chance in the cooling system of my notebook last week.

I went in a eletronic store and there, they chanced all the system.

 

I don't believe that Core 2 Quads would work in your machine - not just from a TDP perspective, but a BIOS compatibility issue. If it's not supported, your system won't boot. Bad news.

I'd also avoid the Core 2 Extreme. Unless you're planning on using ThrottleStop to overclock the Extreme beyond its stock settings, you're better off not spending that much cash, and again there's the BIOS compatibility question. Besides, the Core 2 Duo T9900 runs at the same speed as the Core 2 Extreme X9100, 3.06 GHz.

 

Boa Tarde amigo!
Tambem tenho um Acer 5738g-6536. Gostaria de saber qual versão da BIOS veio instalada no seu e se as teclas de função funcionam.

 

Olá! A versão da minha BIOS é a última que saiu...

As teclas de função funcionam sim! Tudo normalzinho!

 

At Crucial.com where I go for a lot of memory questions, I see an Aspire 5738 PG (touch) (DDR2) and a 5738PG (touch) (DDR3)....two different models

 

Changed all the "cooling system" like a new better heat sink & thermal paste ???? how did that affect ur temps ???

 

Cara eu não consegui fazer funcionar o aplicativo PowerSmart Manager (Botão com desenho de uma bateria) com esta ultima BIOS 1.28. Só consegui com a versão 1.13. Uso o windows 7.

 

The notebook temperature dropped about 15ºC. Now, it's in 43ºC.

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O botão do Acer Power Smart do meu notebook nunca funcionou MESMO. O que acontecia é que a luminosidade da tela abaixa e alguns dispositivos são desativados, só isso, mas nada demais.

A autonomia da bateria dele fica em torno de 6 a 7 horas com a luminosidade no mínimo e só com o Word 2010 aberto.

 

hmm..... are we speaking idle or loaded cuz I actually run 37-42 idle-light loads (browsing,movies, ..... etc.) on both CPU & GPU