Acer 7730 cpu upgrade

Looking to upgrade the cpu and RAM in my Acer 7730 (Intel GM45) - anybody know what the fastest cpu is that this machine will take? I'd like to go for the Q9100 but can't find any information as to whether the 7730 supports a quad core cpu.

As for RAM, there is a site selling an 8GB upgrade:

Acer TravelMate 7730 Serie -Memory - Upgrades - RAM - Notebook - 8GB (2x 4GB), 4GB (1x 4GB), 2GB (1x 2GB), 1GB (1x 1GB),

anybody tried this amount in a 7730? Everywhere else quotes 4GB as the max but I'd love 8GB (DDR3 - I know that link is to DDR2)

Any help most appreciated.

 

I'd have to look up the CPU compatibility list for the GM45/PM45 chipset but if I remember correctly that chipset did not support more than 4GB of physical RAM. Even with a 64-bit OS and 64-bit CPU the computer cannot access more than 4GB of RAM. The 965 chipsets were the first to allow the use of more than 4GB.

EDIT - Chipset cannot support more than 4GB as I thought. See specification PDF here:
http://www.intel.com/Assets/PDF/datasheet/307502.pdf

It is a chipset limitation that you cannot get around.

 

I've got an Elitebook with PM45. I'm running a QX9200 CPU, but I don't know if your Acer would support a quad core, it depends on the BIOS and motherboard. Your best bet is the fastest processor that came with this model (to be completely safe) or the T9800, T9900 or X9100 (the latter may need to be undervolted, though). A T9900/X9100 is just as fast as a Q9100 in most apps.

As for RAM, I'm using 2x4 GB DDR2-800 modules (HP lists 2x2GB as max, as well), I don't see why your laptop wouldn't support 8 GB of DDR3 (heck, I think it could even work with 2x8GB DDR3 modules)...

EDIT: Just found this PDF: http://tim.id.au/laptops/acer/travelmate 7730 7730a.pdf

It's a bit confusing, since it mentions that the laptop uses the GM45 chipset, then says it uses the PM965. It says that it supports DDR3, though, so it must be the GM45 - please check that with CPU-Z to know for sure.

Anyway, it says that the supported CPU is the T9400, T9600 OR HIGHER, so a T9800/T9900/X9100 would probably work if you update the BIOS. IF it's a GM45 chipset, I'm also pretty sure 2x4GB DDR3 will work.

 

Older chipsets do not have the ability to use more than 4GB of RAM. I'm not talking about the 32-bit OS RAM barrier or BIOS limitations or anything like that. These older chipsets were designed to address no more than 4GB of RAM.

The question is which chipset do you have? CPU-Z will definitely tell. The 965 series are okay with more than 4GB of RAM; anything earlier (945 series down) will not.

 

Yes, he should definitely check with CPU-Z.

I believe you mistake the 945 series with the PM45/GM45 (aka 4 Series) - this is the newer chipset (released after the 965) that supports Penryn CPUs up to the QX9300 and 8 GB of RAM.

Also, @hugphot, an SSD is worth considering (maybe with an optical bay caddy for the second drive?) - it'll provide a more noticeable performance increase than 8 GB of RAM...

 

Thanks for all the help so far! CPU-Z tells me that the chipset is: GM45/GM47 and the southbridge is: 82801M (ICH9-M). If I run PC Wizard it tells me that DDR3 is supported as well as reporting the same chipset info as CPU-Z.

I've been reading this page: Mobile Intel® GM45 Express Chipset where is says 8GB RAM is supported and lists plenty of processors which is why I thought I'd better ask here...

jotm: you are quite right about an ssd - I put one in last year and it's amazing! The reason that more RAM appeals is that I like to use Photoshop now and again and more RAM is definitely better for that.

Even if it looks like the hardware is up to supporting the changes I'd like to make, do you think the BIOS will support them (particularly a quad processor if I want to go that far)?

 

Well, if it's a GM45, I'm 99% sure you can use 2x4 GB DDR3 (which are really cheap), and yes, it'll be great for Photoshop.

I really can't say about the processor - it depends on the BIOS, and if there's no factory configuration with a quad core, the motherboard might not have the proper microcode or even lack the right power circuitry.

What processor do you have now? The Acer 8930 (with the PM45 chipset) seems to support the X9100, so there's a high chance the 7730 does, too. The X9100 is cooler and just as fast as a Q9000/Q9100, or even faster when overclocked. Your cooling system is probably not designed for a quad core, so it'll be pretty problematic to install one anyway. If you want to be safe, a T9800 or T9900 is also an excellent choice.

Personally, I'd go for the X9100 (it's really cheap on eBay), make sure I can return it just in case, and then undervolt and overclock it with Throttlestop if it works ...

 

Hi to all,
just entered to say that I have laptop with PM965 (82801HBM (ICH8-ME)) and 8Gb DDR2 running in Dual Symmetric (5-5-5-15). So, there is no limitation.

 

Current cpu is a T5800 so any of those suggested would be a significant improvement, I'm sure. I'm happy to try out 8GB RAM as it's not too expensive to risk in case it doesn't work - although I'm pretty confident that it will be ok after what I've read about the GM45 chipset. Any recommendations for the best brand of RAM to get?

I'll see which cpu is available for sensible prices and try to base my decision on that combined with the advice given here - I definitely agree now that Quad core is probably not a viable option.

Thanks again for the advice

 

I'd get whatever is cheapest with good reviews

 

Any big brand(corsair, crucial, kinston etc) DDR3 RAM is good, I would get whatever is cheapest as Mischief said.

As for CPU options, how does your current cooling system handle your T5800? If it runs very cool, then you probably will be fine with a C0 x9100, which can be found quite cheap on ebay. If it already runs hot, you might have to stick with the 25w Pxxxxx like p8600, p8700, p9700.

 

CPU temp seems to sit around 60°C using passive cooling policy in Win7 which will increase to about 70°C when under load and the fan will kick in. I'm running AA1 Fan Control set to switch the fan on at 70°C which works to great effect. (It was whilst trying to find out how to cure the constant on-off-on-off of the fan that I discovered that I could upgrade my cpu and RAM, ironically). I would happily use a laptop cooler as long as it doesn't make noise - I know QuietPC make some so will have a look there if needs be.

So far, I've found an x9100 for £118 on ebay, a T9550 for £78 brand new. or a P9500 for £80 (used). The x9100 is a 'Qualification Sample' - see:

INTEL X9100 3.06GHz Core 2 duo QS mobile CPU processor- 45 chipset laptop monkey | eBay

Is a QS version ok to use? I'll order the RAM tonight and spend the weekend sifting through prices/performance before I order a cpu. Thanks again for suggestions so far

 

QS is fine - OEMs may overclock better, but ES and especially QS units work perfectly fine. LaptopMonkey is also a trusted seller.

As for RAM, pretty much any brand will do - Samsung, Kingston, Crucial - all are trusted and should work fine.

Oh yeah, the X9100 shouldn't run any hotter than the T5800 - it's higher clocked, but the 45nm architecture makes it produce less heat...

 

A bit of a nightmare: RAM arrived but when I went to plug it in, I found that DDR2 and DDR3 are 200 and 204 pin respectively. So, when it says that the GM45 is DDR3 compatible, you also have to have the appropriate connector - shame.

If I go ahead with the cpu upgrade only, will I be limited to one with an fsb of 800Mhz only?

The RAM won't be wasted as after looking at the spec of the 8930 suggested by jotm, I may well buy myself one of these (or an 8935) too...

 

I think you got pm945 and pm45 mixed up good sir, pm45 is 1066mhz FSB and the refresh of pm965, supporting ddr3 and the newest core 2 chipset. Definitely supports 8gb or RAM.

 

I thought you had that covered - CPUZ tells you what kind of RAM you have. The PM45/GM45 works with both DDR3 and DDR2, but obviously, it depends on the laptop manufacturer which one they use. The slots and voltages are different for DDR3/DDR2.

The FSB is asynchronous - DDR2 RAM runs at 800 MHz, but the processor will run at 1066 MHz...

 

I own an Acer Travelmate 7730G and I am successfully doing some upgrades here, so let me give some suggestions to you:

- I successfully upgraded from nVIDIA 9300M GS to nVIDIA 9600M GS : Found one surplus on eBay.

- I successfully upgraded from 4 Gb to 8 GB (4 GB x 2 DDR2). In this case, since this upgrade is not supported from ACER I suggest you to use ONLY RAM from vendors who certified them to be compatible in this configuration. I found one of these vendors in Germany (the name of the vendor is Speicherbauer and it sells worldwide).

- I successfully upgraded the CPU from P8400 to T9600 and now I am waiting for a cooler and more battery saving P9700 CPU. I do not suggest you to use an X9100 CPU since it is a little faster but it is a real battery sucker! :-(

- I installed two Corsair GS 360 GB SSDs in place of the two sluggish 320 GB SATA disks.

- Obviously I upgraded the O.S. from Windows Vista Business 32 bit (Vista is really a VIRUS inside an O.S. !!!) to Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit.

- To improve battery performances I am using a bigger 6600 mA/h 12 cells 14.8V battery (more than 5 hours of use!).

Now my system is performing very well !!! )

So the upgrade of your PC is absolutely possible.

Paolik65 from Italy