Extensa 5620-6830 CPU Upgrade

I currently have the Extensa 5620-6830 w/ a T5250 CPU (667 FSB). It appears the laptop supports up to a T7800 (mentioned in the service manual), but the T7100-T7800 use 800FSB. Is it possible the motherboard supports both 667 and 800 FSB CPU's?

There are two different mainboards for the laptop, but the only difference I could see was one had a DVI output for the video, the other is VGA (I have this model).

I'm trying to figure out if the different bus speeds are reflected in the different boards, or if one board can support both. Anyone know?

The board part numbers are:
MB.TK301.001 (w/ DVI)
MB.TK201.001 (w/ VGA) <-I have this one.

I'd like to upgrade to T7300, T7500, T7700 (whichever is the best price to performance ratio).

 

I posted this elsewhere, but I'll reiterate here for your benefit:

The Extensa 5620 laptop has the newest latest-and-greatest Socket P, which I think is a good thing... future upgrade-ability and all that. The Socket P supposedly handles both 677mhz AND 800mhz FSB. If this is universally true, then our notebooks can be upgraded to something pretty sweet. Here's my future plans, providing 800mhz is indeed feasible:

Currently our CPU is a 1.5GHz T5250, with 2MB of L2 cache, running on a 667MHz bus. I'm thinking a 2.4GHz T7700 with 4MB of L2 cache, running on an 800MHz bus would be pretty nice. It currently sells for $328 shipped online, or about $270 shipped on eBay. Why not the beefier 2.8GHz X7900? Well, because this is a laptop, and cooling/battery life are real issues to me. The T5250 and T7700 specs are both about 35W. The X7900 is 44W- not to mention insanely pricey for that extra 400MHz.

If our system now has an 800MHz FSB, we'll need better RAM. I've already swapped the standard 1GB (2 x 512MB) out for 2GB (2 x 1GB), but that's 667MHz stuff. Currently you can grab two 1GB sticks of 800MHz PC6400 DDR2 for $74 shipped online (or $52 on eBay). Heck, eBay has 4GB (2 x 2GB) available, shipped for $92... but as my 32-bit OS will never use past 3GB, why bother?

Lastly, the standard 200GB hard drive. It's quiet, it's fine, but do you know what the specs are? Turns out it's a Toshiba MK2035GSS; 4,200RPM with an 8MB buffer and 12ms average seek time. That doesn't really fit in with the new powerhouse upgrades. While no bigger, a much faster alternative would be the Hitachi Travelstar 200GB. It runs at 7200RPM, has a 16MB buffer, 10ms seek time, and is selling for $190 or less shipped.

All of these upgrades currently add up to around $510-$580. I'm not nuts- that's about what I spent on this laptop itself, so too costly an upgrade for me. But here's my thought: for now, it's plenty fast as it is. I have no complaints. I figure it will take about eight months to a year to really feel the limits on this... and the way technology pricing goes, that should make my planned upgrades much more affordable. Luckily I'm no heavy gamer, so the lack of videocard upgradeability doesn't bother me, as it might others. In the meantime, I'll just add in the Bluetooth, purchase a heavy-duty battery, and enjoy my 5620.

 

I'm thinking of picking up a T7500, which I can pick up a pull locally for about $135.00. I just bought one of the BestBuy Hitachi externals that have the 2.5" Hitachi 72K00 7200RPM 200Gig 16MB 10ms HDD inside, and used that to upgrade. It was $126.00 with tax. I added 800Mhz OCZ memory (2x2GB = 4GB) for about $59 after rebate.

All in all, about $320.00 of upgrades. I got a good deal on the 5620-6830 when I bought it at $449.99. So, about $769 total, before I sell any parts. I'm thinking I can sell the HDD at about $75, $50 on the CPU, and $35 on the memory. If so, about $155 back, for a grand total of $614 invested.

I don't consider that bad for a T7500, 4GB 800Mhz RAM, 200GB 7200RPM HDD, DL DVD +RW. I'm running 64bit Ubuntu Linux (Free) and a NFR Windows Vista Ultimate x64 that I received free.

 

crpngdth2001: Please let us know how the cpu upgrade goes. It will be very helpful to know if it works. Thanks!

Also, where can you get a T7500 for $135? Cheapest I've found is online for $230 shipped. And which $126 Best Buy external has the 72K00 in it? I saw some info on this at Fat Wallet, but last I heard they'd stopped selling them. I'm sure others would love to know your secrets.

 

Will let you know on the upgrade, I should pick up the CPU later this week. Reason I got it so cheap was someone was parting a laptop locally with a busted LCD, and various other damage. The Laptop still boots and CPU seems good, guaranteed not DOA.

The BestBuy deal on the hard drive is still on ($132.99), but the extra 12% RewardZone coupon is expired. They have done it several times over the last 6-8 weeks. Here's the most current FatWallet thread, which references the older thread as well:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.php?catid=18&threadid=801449&highlight_key=y&keyword1=7k200

The drive is the Hitachi External 200GB HDD, H2200U. Of course, it is listed as 5400 RPM, which is correct UNLESS you get a drive with the serial number starting with 'DTG'. No other will get you the good '7K200' 7200RPM 16MB Cache HDD.

The BestBuy link is here:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8355709&st=h2200u&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1177112455216

 

All these forum threads say that you need the Hitachi H2200U 200 GB External USB drive that starts with a serial number of DTG or DEG. Here is what Hitachi Support emailed me when I asked what drive was in the H2200U:

*************************************************

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 10:36 AM
To: xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Hitachi GST Support Request #801-249-105-3

Mr. xxxxxxxxxxx,

Thank you for contacting Hitachi Global Storage Technologies.

The H2200U Portable USB drive uses a 200GB Travelstar 7K200 drive.

Thank you for your interest in Hitachi GST products. Please let us know if
we can be of further assistance.

Regards,
Jack L.
_______________________________
Hitachi Global Storage Technologies
US toll-free: 888.426.5214
Fax: 507.322.2419
[email protected]
www.hitachigst.com

*******************************************************

On sale now at Best Buy - $132.99. Post Office has "Mover's Guide" Change of address kits with Best Buy 10% off coupon good through May.

Someone grab a drive and let's see what is in one that doesn't have a serial # starting in DTG or DEG. Acording to the Email from Hitachi they ALL should have the 200 GB 7200 rpm Travelstar drive.

 

Hitachi Support cleared up the question of what Hitachi H2200U External drives were 5400 and 7200. In BestBuy the Labels with FRU NUMBER 0A55551 has a 5400 rpm drive. Labels with FRU NUMBER 0A55552 has a 7200 rpm drive.