M17x Swapping CPU Processor and more...

Sorry if I am being quite a noob in this forum as I have just came from the HP forums.
I am thinking about getting a M17x in the next few months but would like to ask some quick questions.

1) Is it possible to go with the P8600 processor and swap it out with X9100 from this ebay item.

2) How easy will this be on the M17x and for a person swapping a processor for the first time? Is it plug and go like replacing a HDD with and SSD?

3) Is the manual upgrade worth the shot or should I just upgrade the processor when I order the M17x? - $900.00 is a lot!

4) What sort of things do I need to do after the swapping? I mean will the BIOS know that I swapped out the old processor for a much powerful one? Do I need to make any kind of adjustments?

5) I know that the M17x's cooling system is good but will it WAY TOO HOT if I OC it up to 3.33 GHz or more?

6) Is it better swap it for the Q9100 processor instead From this EBAY? - is this item good or bad?

I hope these questions aren't too much. Thanks in advanced this forum has been helpful!

--- Side notes:

I plan on doing lots of stuff with this computer such as

Heavy duty Video editing, audio making - beats, Maya, CAD, Photoshop, ripping and burning DVDs, playing Crysis, Starcraft 2 when it comes out.

 

Yes you can swap a P8600 for that X9100, upgrading the processor on this model may be a bit difficult for someone who is not very tech savvy as you need to really take apart the laptop to get to the processor, but there is a service manual that you can download on the first page of this thread > http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=391569 that will help you.

The manual upgrade is very well worth it as you would be saving 900 bucks which can be used for SSD upgrades, games, a good laptop cooler etc. The BIOS will have no problems with the X9100 in fact it is proven to work in the M17x as someone already has a X9100 ES/QS version that they manually installed themselves in their M17x.

You should have no problems with the cooling on the M17x, it has a pretty efficient cooling solution, but I suggest you buy a laptop cooler anyway, as with all gaming/high perfomance laptops, a cooler will help prolong the life of your components.

 

1. yes if it supported as I see it on the Dell website for an upgrade it is, however why not do what I did and get the Qx9300 for 400, worth the little bit extra (pm I'll tell you some reputable sellers)
2. It's really pretty easy, getting into the laptop can be the hard part lol, afetr that it's simple as removing heatsink, remove processor, place new processor in > apply thermal paste>reseat heatsink!
3. Yes it is worth it, my Qx9300 would have cost me 1000 dollars , I got one for 400 instead!
4. Yes it will read your new processor, works the same way as installing a new processor into a desktop if you've ever done that.
5. Not at all! lol There are people who have gone past that with the X9100
6. Swap it for the Quad X9300!!!!

 

BTW Crylo ther service manual comes with the M17x I believe, right?

 

I don't think so, usually the seller doesn't include their service manuals with their laptops, AFAIK it's usually only for certified in home/repair center technicians, unless Dell does things differently. I know Clevo wasn't big on giving their customers the service manuals for their laptops, they had to be leaked out for most to get their hands on them.

 

Correct Clevo still has people that take down the links on NBR and Nvidia does the same with their GPU's

 

For what I do, is the Dual X9100 adequate or should I bump it up to a Quad Q9100?

I would consider a QX9300 but only if the price is right and the processor is in very good condition.
------------

Another question: How crucial is it to CORRECTLY apply thermal paste? What happens if you accidentally leave a bubble or the paste layer is too thick? If you get the paste on the motherboard?

 

You would need to look up the specs of the particular software you use.

 

I can give you any information you need with a switch to the qx9300. I have personally done it on a M17x....It really is not a hard job at all as long as you are patient and have good tools and are handy. (I was a p/t service tech for ibm so I guess I have a little more knowledge then some, less then others of course! LOL). First of all READ the service manual and study the areas to be dissasembled. GO SLOW and do not force anything...If something doesn't come off easy you probably missed a screw. The area near the soft touch buttons does not come off easy and needs to be helped with a small flathead screwdriver in both corners. This part was the only part that did not come off really easy. Remember to get AS5 and arctic clean to do the job well. Do not try and just use alchohol as it doesn't get it perfectly clean and the crappy pad they install will still be impregnated in the pores of the cooling side. On a scale of 1-10 I would say this is a 6...with the hard drive replacement to ssd as you asked a 2. More complex but not a nightmare by any means. Oh, and there are numbers on the screws that hold the heatsink down. You must tighten them in the order of the numbers. (like when doing a head job on a motor). Get some jars and label the long screws with a marker on the magnesium plate inside because there are 2 longer ones which must go back in the right spots. Also, if you have never done this before google applying as5 and take some notes...MORE IS NOT BETTER! This is a case of less is more. Trust me! Feel free to ask any questions you may have and if this helped please leave rep.
GOOD LUCK!

 

So hey Fast lappy... when my M17x arrives, you wan't to do a Webcam feed with me just in case I need help? lol I don't think I will but you having already done it would be nice for support!

 

I would be glad to help in anyway I can mrbutterbiscuits....Let me know when you get it!! Mine has been working great and shirleyfu's worked out great!

 

Awesome my proc has arrived as well, I got it all cleaned off (tape on the die, stupid customs agents) Have ICD 7 on the way as well as Artic cleaner... so I should be all set to go when my M17x arrives ( hopefully next 2 weeks)!

Oh BTW did you apply new thermal to the GPU's as well?

 

No, I didn't....I wanted to make sure all was well with the processor first. I probably will in the winter months on a boring saturday off...lol The sun is actually shining in NY for now so going to enjoy it while it lasts. One thing though....You can't use thermal on the integratedl gpu...it has a really thick black rubber pad and there would be a gap from what I could tell. Besides its not like you are going to OC the integrated graphics chip anyways. I posted a few pictures and everyone agreed to leave it alone. Your mileage may vary but I felt it wasn't going to create any new HP.

 

Yea I jus meant my 2 280's and the Qx9300... however ICD 7 does work as a bad replacement

 

I wouldn't change the thermal on the GPUs until there is a need. Don't fix something that's not broken otherwise you could end up breaking it.

 

But I could also end up lowering temps and raising performance...

 

I agree with mandrake....Plus, for the warranty I didn't want to mess with anything else other then the cpu for now.

 

Ok, yea... so not even my 280m's?

 

If my temps are great out of the box im going to leave it alone honestly , i havent seen anyone here complain about GPU temps so thats a good indication its been done properly .

Im usually all about it but in this case like Mandrake said dont mess with it if it aint broke and so far i havent seen anyone with the need to.

Sure you might be able to bring them down a couple degrees but on the off chance you apply it wrong the first time you have to rip the machine apart again and re do it , believe me i have been through this many of times.

 

my gpu temps have been fine also....I know all about doing it twice. I didn't have any as5 laying around and used the crappy included china paste (probably was chinese toothpaste LOL, no offence). I had to redo it....But, I can take this baby apart blind folded!! =)

 

haha you mean the grease paste Shirley sent with the CPU!!! LOL

 

Lol the only thing i would use that stuff for is maybe some squeaky door hinges , but then again you were out so you didnt have much choice at the moment when ya needed it .

 

Why not get a good camera and do a video shoot while you make that adjustment.
Torrent a program that will cut the important parts of your video and post it up!

 

I will when the bd burner comes in....I know it would really help anyone looking to mod. I have a video camera and will shoot it. I have some static pics of the inside but I don't think anyone would care about those.

 

Ya, I wanted to wait but was sooo excited and had to try it out. It was the christmas morning syndrom. We have all been there right! SO, I used it for 1 day until my as5 came in. It worked but bad temps and it was very liquidy (bad word but it was!). Like I said I am a tech so taking it apart was no big deal at all. I am always modding....my wife wants to kill me sometimes. EX. I bought a new Lexus last yr IS350 (almost 50K) and had the bumpers off and a new body kit going on in the driveway on day 2 (98 miles on her!) She woke up looking out the window with the car in pcs! Should have taken a picture of that! LOL

 

here are a few photo's from install...







I know its not video but its something!

send rep if it helps!

 

I can see why its so heavy now though with double layers of plastic inside. I would rep ya again but cant .

 

actually the middle section is magnesium...looks like plastic but its not. Its the same stuff they make slr camera bodies out of. Super light weight (doesn't feel like it when its all together) and durable. When or if you take it apart you will see....its actually metal.

 

ok ya fastlappy you are definitely helping me lol

 

you didn't believe me that I had it apart! LOL....no problem I would be glad to help.

 

Im sure Biscuits is drooling all over these pictures as we speak .

 

huh what? oh, um haha

 

wow internally i can so see the 1730 within... lol..

 

Luckily the proc was easier to swap on the M17x.

 

It just looks so daunting! I may need help from you and fastlappy... I think I'm going to have you on webcam standby lol

 

is that sharpie marker in the first pic @ the bottom right ?

 

I think you already know the answer to that question moo... rhetorical lol

 

well if it was i am wondering if that is a date .....

 

I think it says G97 and then 6/4 or 6/9

 

Trust me you'll be fine. Don't rush it and if you find yourself getting frustrated, stop for 5 minutes before continuing. In my mind the only difficult part was dealing with a the little ribbon cables. Also remember that there is a screw that locks and unlocks the proc from the socket. Don't start yanking on it.

 

I was in and out of my M17 in 20 minutes, no sweat.

 

The whitebook is really designed for the average end user to easily get in and out. I worked on a MSI one before and all the parts that were upgradable had easy access compartment doors.

 

look @ the pics of the M17x and you will see you have to remove touch panel keyboard magnesium cover palm rest ribbon cables and more

 

Ahh. Much more complex then.....*bows out*

 

I can have it apart in about 15 minutes while being careful. You have to be careful as the ribbon cables don't all come out the same way. Some have a pc to be pryed to remove. Some have a tab to be flipped...etc But, if you have some experience its really not a big deal. I can send more pics and create a nice video when my new bd burner comes in. If anyone has any questions ask away!