Few Questions On Studio 15 Hardware Compatability

I just recently purchased a Studio 15, my first notebook, and am fairly pleased. I got a good deal on a refurb and bought mainly on the features figuring I could upgrade the cpu, ram, and hard drive. Ive work rather heavily with hardware so Im confident in doing this. Ive easily built hundreds of system over the years and have pretty much been dealing exclusivley with low power small form factor systems on the last few. I want to apply some of these techniques to my notebook.

1. I want to upgrade the cpu from the stock T5750. I noticed using Crystalcpuid that the chip seems to be locked on the lowest voltage, 1.063. Is there a way to go below this? If not, can I go with a P8400 or P8600 on my system? I have a 965 chipset according to CPU-Z so I just want to confirm compatability. If not, can I go with a different 45nm cpu or does the 865 only support 65nm? I saw dell had the t8100 as an option but I dont know if it was a different chipset.

2. Does my motherboard support DDR2-800? Id like to go with 800 just want to make sure its going to support full bandwidth and not clock it down to 667. I dont see an option in the bios to change so its going to have to auto detect.

3. Whats the largest single platter 2.5" hard drive available? I thought about going with SSD but I see the power difference is small. I dont need alot of storage space, Im just concerned with heat and power consumption. Ive noticed that in extremly SFF systems the number of platters has helped reduce this so I assume the same of a notebook.

4. I want to reinstall my own OS and get rid of the bloated Dell install, my biggest complaint about the system. Are all the drivers for everything included on the disks that came with the system? Are they x64 compatable?

5. Im looking into doing some aftermarket cooling. Anyone have any pics of a total opened up system? I only want to open it once so Im hoping to have an idea of what Im getting into it before I start.

Thanks

 

1. i think so but not sure
2. yes/no, it will downclock it
3. 500gb
4. drivers are included for 32bit, you can find 64bit ones online
5. my site http://pctipguys.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=99&Itemid=36
it runs really really cool already, i run it on my bed (yes i know the worst thing possible) and it never gets hot.

 

1. Yes you can use RMClock to undervolt your CPU. You cannot use the P based CPUs in the 1535. An aftermarket upgrade would be prohibitively expensive anyhow.

2. It is 800 MHz.

3. The largest single platter for 2.5 inch is 250GB. However, the WD's at 320GB seem to be both cool and quiet. It really isn't that big of a difference anyhow.

4. You can request the Vista x64 DVD from Dell and the drivers are on the support.dell.com site.

5. support.dell.com also has teardown guides should you ever need to take it apart.

 

are you sure about the 800mhz ram?

i missread the hard drive and did not read the single platter thing...so atbnet is right about that.

 

1. So a 45nm T8100 will run? But not a 45nm P8400 which is the same chip with lower voltages and the inclusion of Intels TXT?

Crystalcpuid is similar to RMClock, I tend to favorite it for ease of use. With Crystal you can select lower then 1.063v but it always applies 1.063v if a lower one is selected. Ill have to check out RMClock and see if it does the same.

2. So if I drop in DDR2 800 it will run it at DDR2 800 and not down clock to DDR2 667? I know the ram will work with the board, just not cetain if itll be running at its stock speed.

3. Thank you. Ill look into the drive. Im going to apply my green SFF mentality and make sure every last watt counts.

4. I have a Vista x64 disk and Ill be downloading the drivers asap.

5. After seeing nizzy1115's pics I decided to pop the bottom off. A lot easier then I originaly read and looked simple to deal with inside. Much better cooling inside then other laptops Ive repaired over the years so no need to do much.

Thanks guys!

 

It uses a different chipset so it won't work. Not sure about the RAM though, I had misread your original post. It'll work but I am not sure about the downclock.

 

It will downclock the ram...

Your welcome for the pics