P-7805u upgrade to x9100 Prepping advice

Hey everyone. First post here. I've done a load of reading on here. Just want to make sure I have my ducks in a row and ask a couple questions. I'm running a P-7805u on BIOS 9c.11.00 and win7 64. I'm upgrading to the x9100 processor and I want to make sure I'm prepped to handle it before it gets here. From what I understand, I can run ICD7 on both the chipset and the cpu. I ordered a fresh tube of it. I also ordered a zalman nc2000 to help with any heat issues (going from 25w to 44w tpd). Is there a particular BIOS I need to be able to play with x9100? I see a lot of iterations out there so it's a bit confusing. I've also read that throttlestop is the only way to OC on the x9100, which directly contradicts one of your sticky's that states the new bios's can unlock the extreme proc's in the BIOS. Once again, I'm just trying to be prepared. Feel free to point me to any threads out there. I've watched youtube videos on the processor swap and it looks like the easiest I've ever done in a laptop. Can anyone recommend a temperature monitoring software that will grab both cpu cores AND the GPU core? I know of a bajillion of them, but after a couple trial and errors, I'd rather save some time and get one that I know works off a recommendation here. You guys know your . Also, would it be worth it to dig further into the laptop and replace any compounds on the gpu to get a little more out of it later, or is the stock setup on the GPU and memory as good as it gets? Thanks in advance.....to recap:

ICD7 on both cpu and chipset?
BIOS version?
overclock ability at bios level for X9100?
Temp monitoring software for CPU & GPU
thermal compounds/pads on GPU sufficient risk vs. reward replacing?



Thanks again....I know all of this information is in this encyclopedia you guys have worked up, but it's vast and I am but a man.


Tyrus

 

There is no need to upgradee the bios unless you run Windows 7. If so 9c.23.00 alows you to use the Firewire without having to resort too the (LEGACY) driver to prevent reboot problems after hibernate.

ICD works just just ffine on both the CPU and chipset. Just remember the chipset has a gap so requires a good pea sized drop compared to half a pea sized drop on the CPU.

Overclocking needs to be done by the program Throttle Stop. TS also provides a temperature monitoring function. As far as what you will get YMMV. I can tell you it seems the HS with the short legs and A02 for version seems to work best. There is no bios level overclocking.

GPU repaset with ICD is dependent on what type of temps you get now. If you can overclock well without overheating now don't worry too much about it.............

 

I never use firewire. Think I could get by with leaving my current bios and still use TS?

Anyone else chime in on the GPU compound reapplication question?

 

The fix with Bios 9c.23.00 fixs a reboot after hibernate dute to the firewire drivers, it does not mater if you use it or not. If you are running win7, its a must in my eyes to update to 9c.23.00

 

I just recently applied AS5 on my GPU only because it was running pretty hot. It takes 30 seconds to get to your CPU to replace it, and first time prob 30-45 MINUTES to get to the GPU... its a pain in the to say the least. Unless its running hot I would not bother right now, if its cooling fine then there clearly is not a problem. I think my primary problem was dust bunnies blocking the air flow through the GPU heat sink fins. I cleaned it out and applied AS5 and now I run in the high 60's low 70's.... I'm very happy with that. Before I would see near 90's. :0

I use two different programs to monitor the GPU, EVGA Precision, which is also a great OC tool and SpeedFan. Speedfan is nice in that it can also monitor your CPU, HDD and GPU along with one or two sensors which I am guessing are the chipset. If your GPU temps are high 70's or 80's and you are a technical person I'd suggest at least checking for dust behind the GPU heat sink. If not, don't bother just replace the CPU and go back in later and fix the GPU cooling if it becomes a problem.

 

At the risk of being massively flamed, what is ICD7? I am unable to find a product link. When I first got my 7805 I removed the thermal cake and replaced with artic silver, which seems to do the job just fine.

As I'm considering doing the x9100 upgrade as well, very interested in doing it right and being prepared.

 

ICD7 is a thermal paste IC Diamond 7 Thermal Compound [TC-IDC7] - $5.95 : Burrows Solutions, Your Best Solution!

I am currently using it on my cpu and gpu, and I must say it works extremely well, much better than the silver based compound I was using before. I am overclocking my CPU and GPU and they both max out at around 63 degrees while under intense gaming performance.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely upgrade before my proc arrives. Can I flash using the windows version with Win7? Any issues there?

 

TS seems to monitor both my cores and my GPU itself, so I'm happy there. On a side note, I found my tube of AS5 laying around too. Any thoughts on whether to ICD7 both the chipset and proc, or to ICD7 just the chipset and AS5 the proc? Thoughts?

 

personally i'm running bios 9c.17.00 with a E0 X9100. Havent had any problems. Then again, i do have a SSD installed so hibernation mode has been disabled as a peerformance tweak. I wouldnt bother fidlding with BIOS flashing as it could cause you more hassle.

ICD7 (comprised of powdered diamond) has superior thermal conductivity properties in comparison to AS5. I've applied a generous blob of ICD7 on both X9100 and chipset - i happily idle @ 26C on stock 3.06GHz @ 1.137v. When OCed @ 3.6GHz on 1.3v under load, i barely hit 72C.

in short, ditch AS5 and stick with ICD7. I've had a history with my X9100 and temperature issues (as documented on these forums). These have all been resolved now with ICD7 and a new heatsink (make sure it's a A002 revision; short stubby legs and diagonal cooling fins). FYI, an A001 version has longer legs and vertical pin fins....TanWare demonstrated that the A002 version of the heatsink is far better suited for the X9100.

A002 heatsink looks like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GATEWA-P-7908...?pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item4aa7c0075c&afsrc=1 (5th pic)

 

I opened up and took a peek. Unfortunately, I have the A001. I found this on ebay: GATEWAY P-7805U P-7908U CPU HEATSINK MODULE ®9037 - eBay (item 390204705441 end time Jan-29-11 13:52:25 PST)

It appears to be an A002. Wondering if I should pull the trigger.

 

That is the one you want................

 

far cheaper:

Gateway FX MS2252 CPU COOLING HEATSINK 60.4I202.001 - eBay (item 270695051081 end time Feb-18-11 16:37:04 PST)

 

I put AS5 all around. I figured it can not hurt, even though I left the TIM pad on the chipset. A think layer on the CPU, GPU, Chipset and even the GPU memory (4 chips all contacted by the GPU heat sink). I run nice and cool all around, considering its a gaming laptop I am very happy.

 

That is the older A01...............

 

isnt this older version:

Gateway P-1178FX Laptop CPU Cooling Assembly - eBay (item 200407294354 end time Feb-10-11 11:45:41 PST)

unless there are 2 types of the A002 version

 

There are two types each I believe has a01 and a02...............

 

From what I understand, there are two different base designs, and a few different model numbers spread around the two base models. As long as you have the model with the short legs and vertical fins, you're ok. Correct?

 

A02 with the shprt legs is the most recent I've seen. I haven't tried the A01 with the short legs. Short legs are the ones used on the Q9000 so it means they are designed and calibrated around the higher TDP. To me it is better to get the latest revision so A02 is what I've got.......

 

I pulled the trigger on the overpriced one I found here: GATEWAY P-7805U P-7908U CPU HEATSINK MODULE ®9037 - eBay (item 390204705441 end time Jan-29-11 13:52:25 PST) The description doesn't say if it's an A01 or A02 version of the quad. From the pic it sorta looks like an A01 Kinda bummed.

 

His description is of the 001 and 002, it may be a crapshoot with him........

 

TAN, are you referring to the (I assume part numbers) comma separated numbers from the listing?

"60.4I202.001, 60.4I202.002 "

Just wanting to know if the 60.41202.002 is the complete part number for the superior heat pipe (sink).

Thanks,

Stephen

 

The last .002 shows 2nd version for the respective type. .001 is the 1st gen or older revision. there are two different types, one a higher TDP calibration, that apparently being the short legged HS. Also these same HS carry A01 on the .001 and A02 on the .002 from what I've seen.

So a short leg type and revision .002 is the best version too have..............

 

Thank you andros_forever for the mention.
I'm the owner of Burrows Solutions and have noticed some traffic from this forum and appreciate it. Currently I'm out of 24 but hope to have more in stock within a few weeks. If anyone has questions feel free to visit the site and contact us. We have the best price on ICD and fair shipping costs. Thanks again.