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    Is it possible to upgrade the cpu?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by sunnyc90, Mar 22, 2011.

  1. sunnyc90

    sunnyc90 Notebook Consultant

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    Hello guys, I just recently got the Alienware AM11X-2719CSB and was wondering if it is possible the upgrade the Core 2 Duo SU7300 to say the SU9000 series?

    Sorry if this question has been answered but did a search and couldn't find anything. Thanks!
     
    sunnyc90, Mar 22, 2011
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  2. DavyGT

    DavyGT Overclocker

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    Yes, only in theory, provided the BIOS already supports or can modded to support something like the SU9600. You'll need to do BGA reballing however and that is enough to deter most, if not all, people from trying.

    So practically, no.

    You could pinmod it to make it faster though.
     
    DavyGT, Mar 22, 2011
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  3. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    CPU is soldered so changing it would require super human concentration.
     
    namaiki, Mar 22, 2011
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  4. whitrzac

    whitrzac The orange end is cold...

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    has anyone ever attempted this? I know someone that has the equipment/experience...
     
    whitrzac, Mar 22, 2011
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  5. darkdomino

    darkdomino Notebook Deity

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    An IT guy on campus got to talking to me about his Alienware M11x and seemed to think it was possible. He said it would certainly require some tricky work with the motherboard though.

    Unless you absolutely know what you're doing, I don't think it's really worth risking it. If you brick your laptop, I doubt Dell will have much sympathy for you.
     
    darkdomino, Mar 22, 2011
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  6. DavyGT

    DavyGT Overclocker

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    No. We don't even know if the BIOS will support the SU9600 so it's best to start by checking the BIOS CPU microcode at bios-mods.com. Should be OK to mod it in as it's a Phoenix BIOS. Look in the M17x subforum, some amazing BIOS hacks to enable further overclocking were done there.

    Another problem I can see is that it will always run at 1.6Ghz with or without overclock mode as with it on, BSEL will turn the 8x multiplier to 6x for 1.6Ghz (6x266) and off, it would be 8x200. A pinmod can fix this.

    The type who will do this don't care about the risk or Dell's sympathy.
     
    DavyGT, Mar 22, 2011
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  7. Zlog

    Zlog Notebook Deity

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    I would be BLOWN AWAY if some one had a steady enough hand to desolder the old CPU and solder in a new one.

    blown away.
     
    Zlog, Mar 22, 2011
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  8. DavyGT

    DavyGT Overclocker

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    It is possible and the hard part isn't soldering, that takes hours and minutes or even the equipment- this can be ghetto modded with a heat gun. No, the hard part is securing a SU9600 somewhere and a socket 956 stencil for the solder balls.
     
    DavyGT, Mar 22, 2011
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  9. sunnyc90

    sunnyc90 Notebook Consultant

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    Well I was'nt expecting to cpu to be soldered on, if thats the case the its not worth the effort to get a bit increase in ghz even tho I have all the tools necessary to desolder the cpu. Thanks for the quick responses!
     
    sunnyc90, Mar 22, 2011
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  10. sunnyc90

    sunnyc90 Notebook Consultant

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    Awesome! I didn't know that this was possible. I'll take a look into it. Thanks!
     
    sunnyc90, Mar 22, 2011
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  11. whitrzac

    whitrzac The orange end is cold...

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    meh... the cost/preformance ratio goes through the floor when you factor in a donor laptop for the su9600 :rolleyes:

    soo...
    bios issues=hackable=solved
    desolder/resolder issues= requires specialized equipment=solved
    finding a su9xxx for cheap= someone has to have a DOA laptop=solved...

    I would attempt this, but me+programing never works out... ...never :(


    someone needs to do this... If only to wave it infront of dell saying "see what it could have been!! "
     
    whitrzac, Mar 23, 2011
    #11
  12. DavyGT

    DavyGT Overclocker

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    There was a SU9600 ES on ebay for months but it is gone now. Don't forget SU9400 will work if the SU9600 can and maybe the SL range. You only need the bare chip if you can find it.

    I guess only the most hardcore R1 fanatic will do this as these things are rare, expensive and about to be left behind completely in performance, pinmod or not, CPU swap or not.
     
    DavyGT, Mar 23, 2011
    #12