UX50v-RX05

I was helping a friend shop for a new laptop, and since I've had experience with Asus laptops, I told her about the brand. She's not looking for performance laptops, rather for something with decent portability, nice battery life, and some nice looks. (Apparently she likes backlit chiclet keyboards, and the more lights, the better.)

So I was at Best Buy, and I took a look at the UX50v-RX05 The GPU, a GeForce 105m is a step up from her intel GMA4500 in her current HP, though not exactly a GTX 280m. Still, it should be able to run the games she likes ( Sims and Left 4 Dead) at lower resolutions/settings with decent frames. The thing that kills it is the solo processor. Not only is it one core, it's low clocked too.

Moving along, I notice that the UX50v-A1 has the same chipset, and it packs an SU9400. I did some researching, and it looks like the chipset ( GS45) can also utilize higher-clocked C2Ds. (I'm not sure how those compare to the usual T- and P-series processors, but anything's better than a solo core.)

So I'm wondering, would, say, an SP9400 be able to work in the RX05 model? I know the chipset and socket supports it, but does the mobo revision and BIOS also allow it? After my escapades with the different motherboard revisions on my G51, I want to be sure.

I suppose there's no way to tell unless someone actually has an RX05, but input would be great.

 

I think the only real way to know is to open it up. In most cases I've seen, the SU series of processors have been soldered to the motherboard. If that's not the case with this laptop, I was thinking about buying the cheaper version and throwing an SL9600 in it. 17w, 6m cache, etc etc.

Lets hope someone's got the info.

 

There is also the U50VG, which sports a 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo T6500 chip alongside 4GB of memory, 250GB storage, and a Geforce G 105M. Didn't see it on the bestbuy page tho

 

Doesn't care about specs but wants the laptop to be pretty? Guide her to the mac aisle.

 

She hates Macs.

So, damn, only speculation. And the only way for me to test is to buy the laptop and a processor from eBay.

 

Maybe you should look at the Sony Viao NW, FW, and BZ series. The NW might be perfect for her actually. They all have chiclet keyboards (I'm not sure if they are backlit or not) and are very nice looking. Hardware isn't that bad either.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&categoryId=16154&N=4294966502

You can find them on amazon or wherever for less money obviously.

 

Those are out of her price range. The UX50v is just barely within it.

 

Oh, I was looking at the A1 price... lawl

 

Well, You could buy just the laptop. I mean, buying a processor from ebay doesn't help you find out if the processor is soldered in.

 

Granted, yes. But, if you followed my adventures with a quad in an g51vx-RX05, you know that chipset compatibility doesn't mean everything. The only way to be for sure it so actually put a C2D inside.

Anyway, is it possible to tell if it's soldered on without removing the heatsink? In other words, if I could sweet-talk the Best Buy people, would I be able to tell by just removing the backpanel?

 

The SU3500 is not embedded according to Intel's website- http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyId=32257

 

I did a search for the word "embedded" and came up with three hits. That sound right, then? Most likely it's not embedded?


And would this SP9400 work? I'm confused with the item description and how it says it's meant for "Intel GM45"

 

The UX50v-RX05 is ultra-thin...Don't know if it can cool down a regular C2D. It seems to be meant for ULV processors.

 

The SP9600 is an undervolted version of the P9500. The P9500 is an undervolted version of the T9400. Two T9400's makes the QX9300.

 

There's always (additional) undervolting.


So, according to Soviet, even though the description says something about GM45, the SP9400 whose link I posted should work with a GS45 chipset.

 

Theoretically, yes. It should work. But not too many people are interested in the SP models so I'm not completely sure. I think the only reason you're researching about it so extensively is so you can get in her pants.

 

Ahem.

Well, I would try another T-series, but like Kallogan said it might run too hot.

 

I say get her a P8400 or a P8600. They are selling at a cheaper price compared to the SP9400 on eBay. Some of them are penny bids too.

 

And that should work too, huh. Would the BIOS and chipset support it, though? I remember that T-series are compatible with sockets/chipsets that allow P-series, but P-series don't work with sockets/chipsets designed for T-series.

Or something like that. If you're reasonably sure, though...

 

But isn't the SP9600 the higher clocked processor you can put in this chipset according to intel ???

I guess that the SP9400 should work (with UVing and good thermal paste). But as said SP processors are not so popular so can't be sure.

The Ux50v is a cool designed laptop (love the dvd-drive) but would be useless for me cause too weak ;-)

 

The P and T series use the same microcode. Like I mentioned above, the P series is just a hard undervolted version of the T series. Intel selects higher quality T series chips that are able to pass the stress and voltage checklist to be given the P badge. In the desktop world, we call them "golden samples." The same goes for the SP series. P series chips that can pass even more vigorous standards are given the SP badge. They are the highest quality chips. But in the end they are still the same. Just make sure you don't get the BGA SP9xxx if you decide to get her an SP.

 

Ok so SP processors are already hard undervolted. I guess Uving wouldn't be very efficient then.

I saw the Ux50v is provided with a 65W AC adaptater. Would it be sufficient since the SP9400 (or P8400...) has twice the SU9400 tdp ?

 

I'll look into P-series then.

I'm not that desperate.

 

Go figure.

That would be my decision as well. Just get her a P and soft undervolt it to SP voltages.

 

Can't find it on eBay.

 

Do NOT go by the intel website saying the processors are not embedded. Sure, it says that, but if you check the acer timeline threads you'll see pictures of the same processors being soldered in place.

You absolutely should verify that there's an acceptable socket first before you buy a replacement processor.

I'm looking forward to finding out what the deal is actually. I would buy that laptop if I could throw a 17w intel in there.

 

Just remembered I have a spare P7350 lying around. I could test with that.

But like I said, is it possible to see if it's soldered on without removing the heatsink?

 

You won't know until you look. If you can see the mechanisms to release the processor around the heatsink then great. You should be able to find a lever or some similar piece even with a heatsink on.

Again, you won't know until you look.

 

So, even if I could talk Best Buy into letting me peek behind the backpanel, I wouldn't see it. Man.

 

If you can find the service manual, not user manual, for the UX50, then you will know.

 

That's not what I said. I said you won't know if you can see it unless you look.

 

Roger.

10char

 

Has she considered buying online?

 

Not realy. You have any suggestions?

 

Because I too am interested in upgrading the laptops processor if I get it would I be able to put in a Intel Core2 DUO Penryn SP9400 such as this one on ebay, theoretically?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-Core2-DUO...0?hash=item230291def8&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

 

You want to put the SP9400 into the UX50? If the UX50 is socketed, then yes it should work.

 

If I can wiggle out of jury duty tomorrow, I'll see if Best Buy will let me look under the hood.

 

Nice Forge due tell if it is or not.

I guess ill give Asus a call tomorrow to see if it is in fact socketed or soldered to the motherboard.

 

My money says it's socketed.

 

I hope so too just because if it is I am buying this laptop

 

Let's just hope Forge doesn't get kicked out of Best Buy with the Geek Squad logo from size 11 wingtips printed on his buttocks.

 

I'm Asian. I know kung-fu.

Just so I know, if I can see the removal screw for the socket, that means it's no soldered, right?

 

If you see the CPU lock screw, that means it's soldered but removable. If you turn the screw to unlocked, the CPU will instantly heat up to over 9000*C and you have only a matter of seconds to pull it out from the motherboard before it melts.

 

I wouldn't care about a melted CPU because the area would combust

Things don't look so good.

 

Damn. Oh well. Throw in a P and she's good to go.

 

I'm not familiar with disassembling an entire laptop. The closest I've done to doing something like that was replacing my keyboard on my ancient Dell, which involved removing all kinds of things.

I'll still see how easy it is to take a look inside, if possible, but I'm thinking of looking at something else. Why did they have to pull the U80v...

 

Just got off the phone with Asus and they told me that the CPU was embedded into the motherboard.....

 

Well, there we go then. Time to wait forthe U80v's successor then. Saved me a trip.

And thank God for a case that was settled out of court.

 

In the parking lot.

 

The defendant was black