Upgraded Acer 3680 Celeron CPU to a T5300!

Krazy alright mate..been a bit busy i see
told this would happen lol. well done and what a great thread

 

Thank you Hoggie, but its only thanks to you guys that this thread is going strong. I'm just seeking to increase interest in this inexpensive and rewarding upgrade.

 

Wow. I am now a PRO at taking apart this laptop and putting it together again. That's because my T2050 Core Duo didn't work! I would push the power button and the lights would come on but no screen or POST. I disassembled the entire thing again and went back to the Celeron 420.

So, either I bought a defective CPU or I have the G940 chipset that won't work with anything but a Celeron.

What is the most reliable way of finding out the chipset?

P.S.

For anyone trying this out, make sure that your bluetooth and wireless switches on the front work after you put the bottom housing back on the main board!!!! You can get them out of whack to where they won't switch and the only fix is to take it all apart again.

 

PC Wizard 2007 says the chipset is Intel i943/940GML

Everest Ultimate 4.20 says the chipset is Mobile Intel Calistoga-GML i940GML/i943GML

So, if I have the i943GML then why isn't my T2050 working?

I flashed to the most recent firmware as suggested in this thread. Thanks for all your help.

 

I'm not sure if this upgrade works with Core Duos, but I do know that it works with the T5200/T5300 Core 2 Duos. I'd have to do some research to check board compatibility with Core Duos.

EDIT: I just realized that your model is a 3680-2574 which means the chipset might in fact be a 940GML. Next time you take it apart, check the for the chipset number because I'm not sure how accurate these HDW ID programs are.

 

Ok. if it is in fact a 940, could I swap in a core solo or pentium M?

I'm really only interested in getting a CPU that supports Speedstep so my battery will last longer.

 

Im confused why you didnt go with a T5200/T5300 in the first place?

A t2050 will not work. Its based off the Yonah core, whereas a T5200/T5300 is a Merom core. So far, only Merom Core 2 Duo's are known to work in the GML940/i943 chipset.

Plus, the T5300, when on Vista power save, goes to 800mhz. Is that speedstep enough for you? Not to mention how much less power it takes to have the processor not working constantly anymore like the old Celeron we had in there.

 

Because it was less than half the cost of the T5200 on ebay. But, since it doesn't work I now have to resell it. I didn't realize it had to be a Merom core CPU. My Celeron 420M is a Yonah core so I figured the equivalent Core Duo would work.

I guess I'll try to get a T5200.

 

I dont think the problem is the Yonah processor, but that your board doesnt mount a i943 but a i940. In facts, if it mounts a M420 could mean that is slightly older than the other upgraded machines, before that Acer adopted the newer and more versatile i943. The main difference between 940 and 943 is the lack of support for dual core cpus, in an italian forum i read about a T2050 running on a HP mounting the i940 but only with the second core disabled by bios (option not present in Acer bios). I think that the only way to surely know if the problem is the chipset or a defective cpu is checking the type of chipset directly on the motherboard. If unluckily it was really the 940, you can still mount a speedstep cpu: the Core Solo T1350 (fsb @533, 1,86 Ghz).

 

@krazyphire and letmealone

I've downloaded PC wizard 2008 and it shows:
NorthBridge : Intel i943/940GML

Using Everest Ultimate Edition 4.20 shows:
North Bridge Mobile Intel Calistoga-GML i940GML/i943GML

Still confusing me, and the only way to convince me is by seeing the chipset itself. But I don't know how to start dissemble my laptop.

Can anyone give tutorial step by step including picts/photos about how to dissemble the acer 3680?
I think this will be very usefull for us who is beginner in this field.
Becoz sometime we don't know the "correct" and "gentle" that result in damaging/brokening the parts.

thx.

 

@Andrewe77
I've just done a little research at the wikipedia.
I found that T2050 has 667 MHZ FSB which is not supported by i940/943GML.
i940/943GML supports 533Mhz FSB Only.

These processor have 533MHZ FSB which I assume also work on i943GML
(WARNING!!! NOT YET CONFIRMED!!!) -->Anyone volunteered to confirm this?
o Pentium dual-core T2080 1.73 GHz
o Pentium dual-core T2060 1.60 GHz

Maybe that's why your laptop won't boot up.

Check this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._processors:_P6.2FPentium_M_microarchitecture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_chipsets#Mobile_Chipsets
http://processorfinder.intel.com/List.aspx?ProcFam=2848&sSpec=&OrdCode=t2060

 

Someone confirmed that T2060 doesn't work with i940 GML
Another person confirmed that T2080 works on i940GML in Acer 3690.

" I have been watching this Journal since October 07. I purchased an Acer 3690-2316 with a Celeron M430 last spring from BestBuy
Initiallly upgraded the Ram from 512 to 2 Gig to improve performance. I have now installed a T2080 which I bought on Ebay for $45 . Everything went well and encountered no glitches.
The improved performance is remarkable."

check this:
http://paulsiu.wordpress.com/2007/09/03/is-it-worth-upgrading-the-cpu-on-acer-3680-2833/

 

Dear ALL,
GOOOD NEWS I found a guide to disemble our lovely 3680:

CHECK THIS OUT!!!:
http://www.frc-tech.com/docs/manuals/SG/acer/S.G_AS3680_5570_5580_BOOK.pdf

 

my laptop says the same and in everest it says that its compatible with fsb667?

 

Ok guys I want to make this as clear as possible. It isn't just matching the FSB. We are also trying to match the Socket M of the original Celeron and the make of the original CPU, which could be either a Merom/Yonah. Santa Rosa class chips, with different sockets, will not be supported. That is why we are using the T5200/T5300 Core 2 Duo processors. On top of that these chips offer the most performance for your dollar.

Current Facts known:

• Core 2 Duos out perform most Core Duos in performance. They also have newer Speedstepping technology to optimize battery life.
• Dual-Core is Supported only by the i943 Calistoga chipset
• Only works with v1.3505 bios
• The T5200 & T5300 are the only (tested) working Core 2 Duos
• Socket M Celerons can switch to the 2 above C2Ds
• PC Wizard is the best choice(in my opinion) for identifying your chipset
• The C2Ds are easily purchased through ebay, but I recommend staying away from bids and using "Buy it now function" as long as it is under $80 USD.
• Of Course if your looking to save money you can go with n4r4k's idea and get a T2080 Core Duo, which is reported to work on the Aspire 3690

PS: We are always here to help!

EDIT: Letmealone, just let me know if any of this information needs to be edited because you're just as knowledgeable on the subject as I.

 

This guide is awesome for disassembly. It has helped me a ton in disassembling my computer. Just waiting to get some thermal paste before i try it out.....

 

I don't think this is correct. The 4xx series of Celeron M processors are Yonah.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...Yonah-1024.22_.28standard-voltage.2C_65_nm.29

 

According to this link at the wikipedia, the T2050 has a 533 Mhz FSB.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...s#.22Yonah.22_.28standard-voltage.2C_65_nm.29

So, why would a T2080 work and a T2050 not work?

 

The Celeron M 520 is a Socket M processor. The 4xx series are Socket M processors meaning they can be upgraded to the Merom Celerons or the Core 2 Duos.

EDIT: I will change my statement to include the Yonah because at the moment I was thinking only of the Merom Celeron M520.

EDIT #2: I think the T2050 not working comes down to the bios accepting the processor or the chipset not being compatible. It looks as if it would be compatible because of the Socket M and the 533FSB so it is a problem with the bios.

 

have studied the guide to dismantle the laptop...
Arrrgh..is about 97% dismantle needed to check out the chipset...so reluctant to do it...

 

I can help. Where are you stuck?

 

ere Krazy. was just running PC-wizard. and it came up with some interesting info.

Architecture : Direct Media Interface (DMI)
Manufacturer : Intel (Acer Inc)
Codename : Lakeport
Revision : A3
Bus Speed : 133 MHz
FSB Frequency : 532.1 MHz (QDR)
FSB max. Support : 667 MHz
RAM max. Support : DDR2 (667 MHz)

does this mean i could push my luck and go for FSB of 667

but
NorthBridge : Intel i943/940GML
SouthBridge : 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Controller

could be some trouble with it being Yonah
Socket/Slot : U2E1
Upgrade interface : ZIF Socket
Supported Speed : 1600 MHz (or more)
Supported Voltage : 3.3V

something to get your teeth into. and if you see any cheap T5xxx on ebay that will ship to the UK post a link.
UK seems ****e for getting your hands on processors

 

PC wizard told me that also, but the 667Mhz might not be the best choice. Although if it worked you would have the fastest Acer Aspire out there. . Theoretically you could even put in a Santa Rosa Class [email protected] GHz because the socket is the same and so is the voltage. Those chips are expensive so then it comes down to cost effectivness in terms of the computers initial cost. Ask letmealone, because they helped me out a lot and just might have the information on that.

This one ships to UK for the cheapest I have seen. $11.99 shipping and it costs $79.95.

http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEL-1-73GHz-T...ryZ31532QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

alright Krazy. thanks for the link.
i was thinking the same as you mate with the santa rosa.
but i also gave the heat issue a quick look.
the fastest aspire out there ye haw.

 

No problem, I'll keep looking for another one if you don't snap that one up.

 

I'm thinking that perhaps my 3680 really does have the 940GML chipset because it is the 2574 model and comes with a 400 series Celeron.

What do you all think my chances are of getting the T1350 core solo to work with this chipset? I've read on this forum that others with the 940 chipset have gotten them to work.

 

Did you run PC Wizard?

Maybe even the T2250: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=155958

 

It could be useful resuming the situation of possible updates, the sources are what i read in this forum and others, and what i directly did on my 3680.
Known facts, for sure: avoiding to consider possible bios problems on some motherboard, the following chipsets can mount the following cpus.

i940: Celeron M 4x0, Celeron M 5x0, Core solo T1xxx @533.

i943: Celeron M 4x0, Celeron M 5x0, Pentium dual core, Core Duo T2xx0 @533, Core 2 Duo T5xx0 @533.

I still have to read confirmed success about mounting a dual core cpu on i940, without disabling the second core. Also, i still have to read confirmed success of mounting a cpu with fsb more than @533, on both. Or better, in an italian forum i read about a HP with i940, that worked with a T2300 @667, with the second core disabled by bios. It was recognized as T1300, i ignore if it worked @533 or @667. Those are the things that seem confirmed, and not just rumours, or misunderstandings about the exact chipset mounted. Happy to be confutated... it would be nice being possible to mount a T7xxx in my 3680, in future !

 

I have an Acer Aspire 3690 with a Celeron M 440, 2GB DDR2 667 and the same i943/940GML chipset as in the 3680. I ran PC Wizard, and it claims the motherboard can support a 667MHz FSB.

I was thinking that maybe I could try a Core 2 Duo T5600 in there, what do you think?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_2_microprocessors

 

I dont know about the motherboard, maybe it could go @667 with a 945 chipset, but the i940 and i943 are certified to run only @533. My 3680 had your same M440 and luckily it mounted the i943. In your place i would look for a T5300 or a T5200, surely compatible with i943. The performance of a 1.6 Ghz T5200 @533 is superior to a 1.66 Ghz T2300 @667, and very close to a similar C2Duo of same clock running @667. Obviously if you can experiment for free something @667, it would be very interesting knowing about the results here.

 

All I have left to do is to compile the information we have so far onto the front of the page. Thank You letmealone for your continued contributions.

 

I would like to report another successful upgrade of an acer aspire 3680-2682 to a Core 2 Duo [email protected]. My computer now has a longer battery life and also is better overall in performance. Anyone want to buy a Celeron M [email protected]?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-Celeron-M...oryZ3666QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

Congratz on your upgraded Acer! I guess were going to start seeing a lot of Celeron Ms on ebay.

 

My battery life is much better now, especially since I can actually utilize Windows "power options" now and put it on battery saver, when I need to. Beforehand, with the Smell-er-on, putting the laptop on battery saver would make the celeron unstable and sooner or later I'd get a windows error and have to shut down. Now Im able to use battery saver and still have a fully functional laptop (can barely notice a difference!)

Not to mention how much cooler this thing operates now - its like a night and day difference. I had to buy one of those Targus "chill mats" before because it would literally get so hot I was afraid it was going to melt the bottom of the laptop.

After the 7k200 Hitachi HD upgrade and the T5300 upgrade, the thing runs so cool that I havent used the chill mat since. Fan kicks on occasionally; not like before when it used to be on all of the time, and usually full blast too! Now it comes on low/med speed once in a while and the bottom of the laptop is cool to the touch.

 

well done mate

Krazy are you keeping all the info on this thread ?
i have asked for it to be a sticky and some of this is now appearing on bloggs.
but like a dickhead my history deletes and have lost the blogg.

this thread is becoming so popular its unreal

 

Yeah I have the links and info so when I get time in 2 or so days I plan to revamp the first page.

 

If your 3680 is still under warranty, better you keep the old processor... Acer could make problems if you return them a laptop with a different cpu.

 

You know, I put much thought into this whole Acer warranty thing..

I paid $199 for the extended warranty. Why did I do that?? This is a budget $399 laptop, I must've been half asleep when I bought it.

I bought a spare motherboard off ebay (needed the power board off it) for $26.

Parts for this laptop are pretty cheap and plentiful. Screw Acer's warranty. Especially from what Ive heard about people sending in their laptop to Acer, and getting it back with scratches on the screen, etc. and then Acer not taking responsibility for it. Forget that!

I just sold a Celeron M 1.73ghz on ebay a few weeks ago and netted $1.00 for it There were quite a few on there at that time.

 

Hey Hoggie - how goes it mate?

I have PM Chaz and asked that he have a look at this thread and see if it warrants a sticky. Let's hold thumbs buddy

Cheers,
Theo

 

alls well Theo mate.

and you ?

i think this thread should be archived as well.just take a look at the number of hits its had amazing. i was looking at a blogg three days ago and someone had copy and pasted about six of the posts from here

 

I should clean this thing up so that it looks more like an official project. Thank You for the info Theo.

Hey Hoggie, do you think that you can give me the link to that blog?

 

Jeepers it's hot here buddy otherwise all is OK.

Maybe NBR leads again . It's easily the best site on the net when it comes to information and advice on lappies. Well run and a great place to visit (and stay like us).

Still holding thumbs for the thread

Cheers,
Theo

 

No problem krazy. You have been a star. Hoggie is probably offline now.

krazy: Your attitude, willingness to help and general outlook on stuff is exactly what Acer (and our faithfull forum members) need to be taken seriously.

You started a great thread and let's see it survive for anybody wanting to venture where you have gone. It is a win win situation for anybody owning a lower end Acer lappie and needs a performance boost with minimal cost.

Proven facts and help every step of the way with the upgrade from you and other's trying it. I take my hat off to you for sharing and not being selfish.

Cheers,
Theo

 

The front page has been officially Updated!


EDIT: We have been Stickied!

Thank You to Theo, Hoggie, and the Mods!

 

Krazy we got you your sticky mate

next i will find the blog for ya.

well done mate all we need now is for me to do my laptop and we have hit the jackpot.
once again well done Krazy

 

can this work on my acer aspire 3610?
and about the processor its intel celeron m
about the exact specs how can i know? is there like a program?
thxs in advance

 

Thank's mostly to Chaz. He took a look at the (updated) first page and liked the way the thread was presented and decided to sticky it as it has genuine ongoing value as it benefits the Acer clan. Stickies are hard to get approved.

This is good news for us indeed. At last a stickied thread that is positive about Acer. And not moaning........

Keep up the good work Krazy. And expect lot's of questions from people wanting to know if they can upgrade X Acer to Y etc.

I know you and the guys that have successfully done it will be more than happy to answer questions. And help others. Always

Cheers Amigos,
Theo

 

Use PCWizard to check your acer's chipset.

 

where can i get the pcwizard?

 

http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php