Upgrading M17 to X9100

I've just ordered an x9100 cpu for my M17.
Does anyone have a guide to install the CPU, is there a particular thermal paste I should use?

Thanks

 

MX 2
ocz freeze ....

ill link you a guide
i was saposed to make the guide
i got busy selling my laptop

you see the CPU in blue?
well you just need to unscrew that and you will see the CPU
then you unlock the processor
then pop it out
slide in the new one
lock it
put new paste on the CPU
screw the heat sink back on
OVERCLOCK

 

Artic silver 5 Really good also. I use it on desktops and My laptops.

 

MXM 2 i think is what its called is non conductive so a idiot could use it .

Freeze really good and its what Rob is using and he said it works great

AS5 is great to

 

Perfect instructions. Thanks Mr Moo.

Would you advise overclocking by flashing the bios? Any chance you have a guide for that one?

 

Z factor does

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=246530

you need to modify that to make it work

 

Congrats man.

I'm sure you'll be as happy with your X9100 as I am with mine.

As Moo mentioned above, I used and am partial to OCZ Freeze. It's within 1 or 2 degrees of Arctic Silver 5, however OCZ Freeze requires no curing period and is non-conductive.

Enjoy your new X9100, it's an exceptional processor.

BTW, my X9100 is happy to OC to 3.57.

 

I hope mine actually works in the M17x. I just got it today.

 

Congrats to you too Mandrake!

There is no reason to expect that it wouldn't.

I also expect you'll be able to use the bios OCing as well.

 

That the goal.

Plus if it works I can tell the people here it's at least an option.

 

CONGRATS! x9100 is amazing!

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys, very helpfull.
How much thermal paste should I stick on the CPU?
Is COOLER MASTER or startech thermal paste sufficient?

 

OCZ recommends using a "grain of rice" size droplet. This allows full contact without squeezing out where it's not needed.

The thicker the thermal paste is, the less efficient the thermal exchange will be.

Remember, you're only trying to fill the tiny imperfections in the contact surfaces to provide maximum thermal exchange.

I'm not familiar with the thermal compounds you mention. I've used Arctic Silver 5 and OCZ Freeze. I prefer OCZ Freeze because it's as good as AS5, has no cure time and is not electrically conductive.

 

By the way, when putting thermal paste on the CPU...do you but it in the middle of the top of it? Or in a corner i really dont know lol

 

I hope you're putting it in the center. lol

I couldn't tell if you were kidding or not, so I figured I'd mention it just in case.

 

Ok cheers...looking for alternatives to make my M17 better in the future.

Getting a new CPU would improve things greatly i guess

[edit] Does this also apply to the GPU's Rob? And do you know a how-to for that? I think it might be a good idea to put new paste on mine as they get hella hot..

 

I can tell you I saw my CPU temps drop around 15+ degrees celcius under load applying the OCZ freeze to my T9900. I am going to be applying it to my GPUs within the next couple days to see how it effects those.

 

Sounds good Zevo. AS5, was my choice before OCZ Freeze came along.

$6 for a 15+ degree drop isn't bad.

 

I use "ARCTIC COOLING MX-2" but never tested temperatures. Is OCZ Freeze considered to be better?

 

They will likely produce similar cooling results.

I don't know the properties of MX-2, but as I said earlier, OCZ Freeze in non-conductive and has no curing time.

No doubt MX-2 is better than stock.

@DHC. Yes, it will also lower GPU temps quite well. Although some may feel differently, the only place I don't use the thermal paste is on the Northbridge on the M17. This is because this model uses a thermal pad which is much thicker than thermal paste. I don't want to sandwich a copper shim between layers of thermal paste in order to fill a gap. I prefer to use the original thermal pad in that location and it's worked out very well like that.

 

PM Halogod or Dondah for more info


they have tried alot of methods

 

I received my x9100 this morning, installed the processor as per the helpfull instructions on this thread, tested with 3dmark06 and got the score 13904 (previous score was 10932).
How do I check my CPU temp , I have CPUZ and GPUZ but can't see the CPU temp?

 

Get HWMONITOR for that:

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

 

Thanks DHC.

Now that the x9100 is running fine I want to install the bios that allows me to overclock to 3.3Ghz.
Ive followed the below instructions:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=246530

What bios should I use and where can I download it from?

 

OK I followed the instructions from the M17 guide

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=325944

and installed the .027 bios with no problems.
When installing the second part KBC I get an error saying unable to update as my system is not compatible (or something along those lines).

Is this a cause for concern?

Ive upped the multipler to 12.5 and can see the CPU speed at 3325 in cpuz. Real temp shows CPU temps at arond 53/54 C in an idle state.

 

no use Zfactors .28 bios much better

 

Just be careful. If you mess something up during the bios change you can end up with a brick.

Also, if you have to send in your rig for any warranty work, don't forget to install the original bios since changing the bios voids the warranty.

 

Is there something that needs to be done to the surface before applying the paste? Clean them? Or something? I imagine theres old paste there or something..

And how and with what?

Cheers

 

yea rubbing alcohol is what i used ... wipe it off and dry

 

woops I didn't remove the old thermal paste, there wasnt much left, I just re-applied.

Whats the sefest temp for the x9100 can reach before panicking?

QUOTE=MR.Moo;4952201]yea rubbing alcohol is what i used ... wipe it off and dry[/QUOTE]

 

Out of curiousity where did you pick up your x9100, on ebay? Is it one of the QS ones (pre-released versions)?

 

@Marvie100: I bought a Dell OEM version on eBay. They sent me some type of cleaner/wipe and the sticker. How nice of them. Cost was $335. Price have really come down the last couple months.

 

I purchased mine from flea bay. Cost £179.99 for an OEM. The guy had 3 used x9100's for sale but they have all now gone. Well worth it.

 

Regarding the "size of a grain of rice" thermal paste on the chipsets;

After reading this topic: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=268081

This guy puts enough paste on their to fill a plate full of rice...i am guessing this is wayyyyyyyyyy to much and not a "grain of rice" right? Should it not only be a small drop in the middle?

 

it is spread out thinly

it is a bit much thoo...

 

Take a razor blade and run it loosely over the picture above to remove excess and then you'll have about the right amount.

 

One thing I noticed since upgrading to x9100 is the fan on the M17 is always on and sometimes at max, not sure if thats right, it is overlocked on to 3.3ghz. Max CPU temp ive seen is 83c.

 

That's a good thing. Your fans are doing what they are supposed to be doing and your CPU is a comfy 83c.

What do you idle at?

 

Roughly at 41c. I did have realtemp installed, I tried HWmonitor and that gives a reading a few degrees lower.

 

Those temps are right where they should be. You've got nothing to worry about.

Your idle temps look good and your temps under load look good too.

 

Ahh, found the thread I was looking for. Do you guys think a "used" x9100 for $315 is a reasonable cost? I found one on fleabay from a non-power user seller, but he has 100% positive feedback, and I'm willing to take the risk. He said it came out of his Dell M4400 after he upgraded his to a QX9300. Its far cheaper than the ones from China/Taiwan which are going for $400 for non-OEM version, and those companies don't ship to APO because they're not in the US.

 

i think that is a great price

Snag it while you can

 

Get it before someone else does!

It's a great deal.

 

Rob, you OC'ed your x9100 with max settings in bios and then a setFSB bump as well? Do you have the particulars on how you achieved 3.57Ghz so I can try to duplicate it when/if I receive mine?

 

he only used Setfsb... he did not flash to the OCZ bios

 

Yup, as Moo said for me, I used only Setfsb and nothing else.

From what I can see here in the forums, you'll only be able to get it to 3.33 in the M17x. At least for now. It appears that the voltage may be the limiting factor. Hopefully Alienware will release a bios revision with either more voltage for the CPU or user adjustable voltage via the bios.

 

But I have the M17, not the M17x, so lucky me

 

Well I took the plunge and purchased it. I probably won't see it for a couple weeks as it takes that long to ship things here, but hopefully I'll get it installed smooth as butter, and get it all tested out in short order.

 

just curious, why would you upgrade to a Q9000 and then buy a X9100?