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    Can processors be upgraded in Aspire series?

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by Cman, Dec 25, 2004.

  1. Cman

    Cman Notebook Consultant

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    Just wondering if down the road the 1.5 Ghz starts to be the slow poke in my laptop, is it possible to just change out the processor to install a faster Pentium M Centrino processor? If not does anything else have to be changed (MB)?

    Tony



    T. Chan

    Ultinet desktop P3 450Mhz

    Acer 1681WLMi
     
    Cman, Dec 25, 2004
    #1
  2. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    There shouldn't be any problems upgrading the CPU to as faster model. Which CPU do you have, Banias or Dothan (1MB L2 or 2MB L2 Cache)? If it's Banias, make sure your BIOS is updated and supports the Dothan CPU's. If it's Dothan, you should just be able to swap them without any issues. Just don't jump it up too high, as the cooling system may not be able to handle it properly. 1.7Ghz should be fine, but might have a problem if you push it higher (maybe).

    -Vb-
     
    Venombite, Dec 28, 2004
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  3. Cman

    Cman Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, my Acer CPU is the Dothan version (2MB L2 cache) and 1.7Ghz would probably be the highest I go if and when I do it (not for a while though no need at this moment).

    On a different note, my desktop is getting an upgrade and after I'm done installing the hardware it'll be flying with a P4 3.2Ghz HT CPU, new MB (Asus P5P800), 1G DDR ram in a new case with some of my old stuff transferred in. I plan to start install tomorrow so for the next while the Acer will be my only link to the web.

    Tony



    T. Chan

    Ultinet desktop P3 450Mhz

    Acer 1681WLMi
     
    Cman, Dec 28, 2004
    #3
  4. chimp_spanner

    chimp_spanner Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys this is interesting! I just finished posting in another thread about how I felt done over cos I got given a Banias powered machine as replacement for a faulty A64 just as the Dothan was coming into play. I've already upgraded my 2012WLMi to 1Gb of RAM and that made a hell of a difference. So if I wanted to upgrade to a 1.7 Dothan...would this be doable, and what is the procedure for that? Would I get the BIOS update from Acer, or from the motherboard manufacturer...whoever that is?

    :)



    www.soundclick.com/chimpspanner

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    chimp_spanner, Dec 30, 2004
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  5. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    Upgrading to a faster CPU would require that your BIOS be upgraded with the lastest BIOS that supports Dothan CPU's. The link below has Acer Europe's FTP site that has your lastest BIOS that supports the Dothan CPU.

    http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8699

    Next, you need to be able to tear apart your notebook to get at the CPU to swap. This usually requires you to take apart approx 50-75% of your notebook. If you're lucky it might be easy. Just swap out the CPU and re-assemble your notebook. Sounds a lot easier than it actually is.

    -Vb-
     
    Venombite, Jan 1, 2005
    #5