Acer Aspire 8930g RAM and CPU upgrade

Hello,

recently bought this machine (Aspire 8930g-5840225n)
--- SNID: 84301018623 ---
and came with:

Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 - Dual core, 2GHz (35W)
4GB RAM


Question 1 - CPU
So, ive read other threads already, so I understand if I upgrade CPU to maximum performance CPU's for Socket P, it may be overheating, but just wanted to ask what would other people suggest to upgrade?
I was wondering about Core 2 Extreme and Core 2 Quad - trouble is, all of them have 45W, so may cause overheating... Nowadays, all these better processors costs nothing on eBay, so price really doesn't matter in this case;
I personally consider:
Core 2 Duo T9900 - 6M cache, 3.06GHz - 35W

Core 2 Extreme QX9300 - 2.53GHz - 45W
Core 2 Extreme X9000 - 2.80GHz - 45W
Core 2 Extreme X9100 - 3.06GHz - 45W
Core 2 Quad Q9000 - 2.26GHz - 45W
Core 2 Quad Q9100 - 2.26GHz - 45W

So if I get it correctly, T9900 would be safest option, but what should I do when I decide to go with these 45W beasts? Replace thermal paste, get the cooling pad, anything else?
(Reason for upgrading - spoiled by speed of my previous Dell XPS L702X, so just want to speed the whole thing up) )
____________________________________________

Question 2 - RAM
As of RAM, I'm running on 4GB and considering upgrading the CPU, upgrading RAM is essential - already got designated virtual memory and MMC card for ReadyBoost, although would prefer upgrading physical RAM;
I've read loads of threads about upgrading memory on this machine and still have got no clue if its possible, as by my research,
1) 64bit version of Win7 supports about 192GB RAM
2) My chipset (Intel PM45) should support 8GB of RAM (at least thats what official Intel website says)
( 3) Not sure how much is supported by my motherboard to be honest.)

SO, is it possible to get 6 / 8 (I would go preferably to 8GB) GB of RAM on this machine?

 

Geez! Why did you get that Old one? I mean for Office stuff and browsing it is okay, but for everything else....

Safest bet would be the T9900 one. The cooling Design isn't meant for 45w. You have to replace the Thermal Pads with FujiPoly 7w/Mk and repaste with IC Diamond -> should be good then.
(Same goes for GPU)

For the RAM: I am not sure, if it can handle 8Gigs. But simply buy two 4Gig ones, so that you are able to sell one in the worst case.

Most important: stuff an SSD into your rig! Will give you the greatest Performance-boost!

 

Yeap, im about to buy 240GB SSD for system plus already storing on 2TB drive cut to 4 partitions;

Ive bought it as Im using it primary for University stuff and mixing:
1) Was cheap as chips - under £100 - got BluRay, Fingerprint and 2 drive bays (which even in 2016/17 99.9% laptops don't have / welcome to the future of expensive laptops with no dedicated graphics and basic hardware)
2) Love 18.4inch screen
3) Cinedash Media Panel - using it quite a lot while DJing
4) Incredible look - hate ugly laptops made nowadays which are bringing absolutely nothing new

Will give a shot to the 8GB RAM, still not sure about T9900 - as 3GHz could be good, but not as such difference, I'd go preferably to any core2quad and figure out cooling system somehow internally - probably plugging some smaller coolers on the motherboard, as theres still plenty of room.
Anyhow, thanks for reply!

 

For your intended workflows (University stuff and mixing), the T9900 is the way to go, imo along with 8GB RAM and an SSD that is bigger than the 240GB SSD you're considering now (even if it is an SanDisk Extreme Pro 240GB model and you'll OP it by 33% or more...).

Bare minimum I would recommend is a ~500GB model and 1TB is not out of the question today (how long will you be in university for? Prices for SSD's will only increase in the foreseeable future...). Save you $$$ a little longer and buy something that will last.

I would also recommend you don't use your system as an SSD+HDD setup - either all SSD's or all HDD's. Mixing them up gives you the worse of both worlds.

The 8GB RAM should work; do as CaerCadarn suggested (2x 4GB SoDimms).

You don't mention this anywhere, but what O/S are you installing?

Win10x64 Pro highly recommended. Make sure you do a clean install, find the most stable/performant drivers and then proceed to install your programs and finally your data.

Why is the T9900 the best (overall) processor for your system? Because it fits within the thermal design of the chassis and it has the highest single threaded performance of all the CPU's you've listed. That is what will make your 'new' notebook feel fast in most day to day tasks.

See (your current CPU which is surpassed (easily) by almost any 4W SoC):
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Duo+T5800+@+2.00GHz

See (your CPU compared to the T9900):
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=990&cmp[]=1014

See (your CPU compared to the Q9300 - notice the ~15% drop in single thread performance):
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=1014&cmp[]=1025
.
See (an example of a 'bad' upgrade over the T9900 - the only thing 'extreme' about the X9000 is the TDP...):
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=1014&cmp[]=1029

See (again; not worth it for the ~26% TDP increase):
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=1014&cmp[]=1030

See: (Q9000? Just say no...):
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=1014&cmp[]=1042

See: (Q9100? Effectively the same for single thread performance):
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=1014&cmp[]=1043


If your programs/workflows/workloads require great multithreaded performance - this is not the machine to do it on. It will make it loud, hot and have an effective battery life of less than an hour. Buy something more current if multithreaded performance is important to your workflows.

With an upgrade to Win10x64Pro, an 1TB SSD (OP'd to ~650GB usable capacity) and 8GB of DDR2 RAM with the T9900 CPU, you should have a very good 'digital notebook' for your university run. Expecting anything more from isn't very realistic. If you can get a brand new battery for this setup and have the physical strength to lug around an 18.4" notebook (with power adaptor and +, +, +... etc. - I know I can't anymore), then you may get the benefits you note in the OP.

Otherwise, a new platform is (always) much preferred (and yeah; you trade $$$ for time saved = they're equivalent, but one is worth more than the other - and it isn't the paper stuff either...).

 

Wow, thats what i call advice in detail, nice one and thank you!

Although - my comments
Carrying this 18.4 inch is okay (slightly above 4kg), considering i was carrying around my XPS L702X for 3 years, which weights pretty much the Same..

Using Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit At The Moment, And Not Sure If I Do Want To "upgrade" To Windows 10 Because Amount Of Runningg And Background Useless Processes, Alongside With Data Collecting When Machine Is Idle, As Well As Trying To Use Win10 On My Dell Before, Slows Down In A Time Rapidly The Whole system down, as well as stupid cortana and even more stupid control panel, where i was unable to find absolutely anything.

Your advice with SSD is appreciated, although on my dell i was using 120GB SSD + 2TB usual HDD - was keeping system and necessary programs on SSD and everything else was on the HDD - absolute mind blown speed with anything, so i think i will stick up with same setup, never had a problem with that, anyway - bought this acer for £100, have got no intention to buy a superspeed SSD with brutal capacity for additional £150 - £250
(note - just wanna add this acer supports sata 2 only, so buying new ssds is really out of question)

Also the processor, considering now only T9900 (£40ish on ebay) and Q9100.. will more likely go to quad core and its got better overall performance, but not sure about it yet.

RAM - Will try to get 2x4gbs on ebay, just waiting till money for my sold dell come and then give it a shot

 

You're welcome.

While you're young the weight can seem insignificant - but time is the true test and I hope you don't regret your decision today.

Win10x64Pro is simply the best modern O/S, period. Don't blame the O/S for your 'ignorance' of the new functionality offered. It is not (just) up to the O/S to make you productive; it is up to you to exploit it's full potential. Making that decision based on your experience on a Dell notebook is not justified, imo (haven't met a Dell I've liked - to buy with my own $$$$).

The price of the platform isn't separate from the RAM and/or SSD. Doesn't matter if the SSD costs 10x more - it will most likely be useful past the lifecycle of the system it was put in. Simply use/sell/donate it for use in another system and there is no loss of value (gain, actually). Not to mention the increased performance, usability and responsiveness of the system it will currently be in. SATAII/SATAIII doesn't matter (most SSD's will still work on either setup) - a better SSD is better, period. Sure, it won't be worth 2x the $$$ if you'll only use and then trash this system - but that is not reality (you'll likely use it 2-3 years and get at least that additionally from using a quality SSD of reasonable/usable capacity in your next notebook...).

Far better value than throwing $$$ towards a small/slow/non-OP'd SSD...

(Btw, if you think that a 120GB SSD coupled with a 2TB HDD was "absolute mind blown speed with anything"... then you have a lot to learn about fast storage... ).

The RAM is a no-brainer - 8GB minimum... (any O/S you're running 64bit or better...).

The CPU choice is not really apples to apples.

35W vs. 45W TDP (I wouldn't do the 45W option...).
Faster multithreaded performance (~47%) for the 45W option, but ~26% faster single threaded performance for the 35W part (almost 3 generations 'better'...). At the level this platform is at - the single threaded performance is vastly more important for the possible workloads this platform is good for.

For £40ish, the T9900 is a drop in replacement with ~97% and ~78% increase in the multi-single (respectively) threaded performance of the system as it now sits.

The choices are clear for me, but I'll be curious to see what you finally decide to do.

Good luck and wishing you a happy holiday season with a joyous and prosperous New Year!

 

Just my 2cents: I agree mostly what @tilleroftheearth mentioned before!

Going with a Core 2Quad will give you mostly headaches than everything else, because the cooling Design is simply not meant for 45w CPU's. The only you will get is throttling due to more heat and Fans spinning up like crazy! Most "university" and Office stuff as well as browsing/surfing don't require more than two cores.

I did the SSD/HDD Combo as well on similar rigs and found it adequate, so I would say: nothing wrong with it. But on the other hand you can grab a 500GB SSD for like 80-90€ today.

About the OS: Win7 ultimate/enterprise 64bit is the way to Go imho, cause all the background processes will slow you Down significantly with Win10 on older machines.
@Mr. Fox regularly demonstrates how crappy CPU benchmark results are under Win10. And this is with all the crap stuff disabled! For newer, more powerful rigs, which are "optimized" working with Win10 it surely is another experience.

I did all this with my bro's ol' Toshiba Q300-11L and it was like havin' a new Laptop! Was even able to play Crysis 2 on high settings at constant 25fps (ATI 4650) after tweaking!

 

Hi, I was wondering how the upgrade went? Did it recognise the 8GB? Did you have any issues with the cpu upgrade. Thinking of doing the same to mine to make it last a little longer.

Thanks

Ian

 

Hi, I would also love to know if your edits to the acer aspire 8930g were successful or not, I have the same laptop and am looking into upgrading the thing (it's VERY outdated)

Thanks!
Danny

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I have a 8940g to sell if anyone is interested.