1362 WLMi processor upgrade options?

My 1362 WLMi has a Mobile Sempron 2800+

Does anyone know what my options are for processor upgrades? How can I tell which AMDs I can get?

From what I've been reading the Sempron 2800+ is an AMD64, but with the 64 bit stuff crippled (explains why there's an Athlon 64 driver installed and other bits of software detect 64 bit stuff). I take it I could upgrade to a full blown 64 bit chip on this board?

Is this machine going to cope with the likes of Vista when it's out (plus I take it Vista will also be available in 64bit?), or have I just got the lowest spec Acer around which won't be much good with newer OS'es?


Any other suggestions for upgrades? Nice machine, but it's a bit sluggish. My older desktop is more responsive. I take it the hard disc is the main cause of that being a slow laptop drive? I've got 512mb of RAM already. I shouldn't need 1Gb as I don't do anything intensive and used RAM is generally under 400mb, but then my desktop PC benefits from it. I think if I do go for 1Gb I'd need to swap out the existing RAM as it's taking up all the slots.

 

Hm. I'm sure it is possible to upgrade your CPU.

Here is what I suggest you do:
Look in your users manual - there is a section on hardware, and it tells you what kind of CPUs can be put in the notebook - I forget where it is, but the manual isn't too long, and it shouldn't be too hard to find.

Any of the CPUs listed, your model is compatible with.

Just a warning - if you upgrade the CPU, it will void your warranty....

 

Are you sarcastically saying that? i.e. because the manual actually says nothing about upgrading the CPU and you are indicating that basically you can't upgrade it?

If not, then as I say, the manual says nothing about the CPU. That doesn't mean anything, it's just Acer would rather you bought a new laptop than upgrade anything.

I'm normally used to self-build desktops with motherboard manuals that give all the details, but this is the first branded PC I've bought in years. All I really need is the spec of the socket, motherboard chipset and what voltages and multipliers it supports. I could work it out from there.

If you are saying however that this laptop will have a soldered chip and can't be upgraded, then say so.

Being a fairly generic AMD spec from what I can see, and being a desktop replacement type of laptop, I would be surprised if it's not socketted especially given the next model up, the 1363, is practically identical except for a Sempron 3000+ and a 60gb hard disc.

 

If you want better performance I would upgrade to a faster hard drive and more memory first. As noted upgrading the CPU will void the warranty.

 

I realise it would void the warranty. For the processor I'm thinking more of down the line, when the warranty has expired, what upgrade potential it has. I've got no problem with disassembling the thing (and yeah, I'm aware of how many fiddly bits it may involve ).

As for now though... what can I do with the hard disc that would be better for performance? If I stuck in something faster, would it not be a higher drain on the battery and possibly hotter? Would I then need a more powerful battery? (I read somewhere that it's possible to get a higher powered battery for this laptop).

 

Let me ask you this, if you bought a notebooks four years ago and it had a 800Mhz CPU, do you think upgrading to a 900Mhz or 1Ghz would make a big difference? The 1362 comes with a 4200RPM hard drive, the slowest available notebook hard drive. If you upgrade to a 5400RPM or 7200RPM drive, they can get the data off the drive much faster increasing overall system performance. The battery differnce is marginal. The 7200RPMs do run a bit warmer if heat is an issue. They are also much more expensive as they are in short supply at the moment. The 5400RPMs are a better value. More memory will help as well. When Windows runs out of memory it swaps out data to the hard drive which is much slower than memory. Here is an article about hard drives, if you want to look. Good Luck.

http://www.tomshardware.com/mobile/20041213/index.html