CPU upgrade, P8400>>P9600

OK, I've been using a physics engine lately and I get a lot of lag when simulating water, I know why this is but will a CPU upgrade be worth it?

In detail, I'm thinking of going from a P8400 with a 2.26GHz dual core with 3MB L2 cache to a P9600 with a 2.66GHz dual core with 6MB L2 cache.

P8400
P9600

 

Yes, it will.

 

I am going to wait for a quad core , 400mhz is not worth it.

 

Check CPU usage in task manager just to make sure, but I would also wait for a quad.

 

Definitely would wait for a quad. You are looking at an improvement of little over 10% in clock speeds (I doubt cache will make a difference).

 

Wait for a quad?
For what reason.
His Samsung Q210 does not support quad core processors

The P9600 is a good processor. However there is one thing that bugs me. There is a 10 watt difference between the T and P series, yet there isnt much of a thermal difference at all.
Have you considered a T9800 or something around there?
It is probably about the same price as the P9600

K-TRON

 

The Q210 has an PM45 chipset , I might be wrong but have a look at the link below for quad support it says PM45

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37033

 

But what about the BIOS?

I recall that someone with the Dell E6400 had to jump through a few hoops to get a quad core CPU running on his notebook. There's more details somewhere here. Thermal issues would be a further concern until Intel brings out quad core CPUs with TDPs of 35W or less.

john

 

I thought all of the quads had a different electrical hookup.

If it has a PM45 it may be possible for a quad, but I am not sure. I have never seen or heard of a samsung notebook with a quadcore yet.

K-TRON

 

BIOS support is always a problem, but the OP has a P8400 and an Q9100 , has exactly the same core frequency and fsb , which would help.

On the other hand all chipset spec functionalities are not always 100% implemented on motherboards.

I suppose somebody with money to spare needs to see if it`s possible.

 

Good advice.

 

Your maths is a bit iffy LOL.

17.7% increase in clock speed

 

The person who unsuccessfully tried the quad was me. First off, a 12.1" notebook can in NO WAY support the TDP created by the quad, which is 45W. The TDP of the Pxxxx series chips is only 25W. Your laptop would fry with a quad.

There are two key support problems aside from that - socket wiring, and BIOS support. With socket wiring, although both are socket P, the quad core compatible sockets need to be wired differently to support the additional temperature sensors for cores 3/4, and also for power for cores 3/4, among other functions. What brought me down was BIOS support. My computer would only start occasionally with the quad, and when it did, CPUZ only reported 2 cores, and Windows used only 2 cores. That got me to believe that the BIOS just couldn't communicate with the other 2 cores.

Since you are dealing with a 12.1", I would say that there is a 95% chance your computer won't be compatible. Don't waste your time waiting. If you DO want to wait, Intel is rumored to be releasing a P9700 (dual core @ 2.8ghz) soon that you may be interested in.

 

So we need a lower TDP quad core to be released, but the PM45 appears to support it, as in my link.

 

Well, according to my experience AND intel datasheets AND intel support, a PM45 chipset DOES NOT mean quad core supports. Feel free to try, but it won't work.

And even if a mobile quad with a lower TDP is released, it will be on the next generation mobile Nehalem platform, so it won't be compatible.
Not to be apocalyptic, but it won't happen. Period.

 

All of us with G50's have been waiting for someone to try a quad core, GenTechPC thinks it will work hasnt tried it themselves. The G7X's support quads.

 

ASUS G50VT-X5 , another PM45 chipset, I have a Toshiba P300 17" with a PM45 , I would love an quad core.

 

I should add that 45 watt TDP processors do work in the G50 though they only come stock with P 25 and T 35 watt processors people do run X9100's.

 

CPU usage can be as high as 80% (The single program), I've tried setting the program to have top priority but it makes no difference.

I'm avoiding quads because of the heat and power they generate.

Although the T9800 does seem like a great upgrade I'm afraid it will run hot and consume more power. If someone can guarantee that my prediction will not be as bad as I think then I might go for it but I'm still wary.

So currently I think I'm going to save up for a P9600, 2.66GHz dual, it seems like a nice step up, if it's the right price,

 

I am switching my P7450 out for a T9600. I already have the processor waiting until wednesday or thursday to put it in. Have some AS5 on order and a Zalman NC2000 cooler to keep the whole notebook cool.

I will be sure to let you know how it goes.

 

That sound sweet!

Be sure to do some benchies

If I upgrade my processor, I'll do the same

 

I think my P8400 will last me a year or two at least.

 

Heh i just installed GTA 4 for PC and even with the P7450 overclocked to 2.45 Ghz it uses 100% based on the bench performance it looks like the cpu is actually dragging down the gpu.

 

I have T9800 on PM45 and it's great
I think max for PM45 is T9900
You need GM45 for quad's I suppose .. and supported BIOS...

 

That is incorrect. PM45 and GM45 are identical with GM45 having an additional integrated GPU. The chipset itself can support both dual and quad cores but it depends on if the company selling the notebook supplied enough power to the CPU and supported the CPU in the BIOS. So don't think PM45 can only handle dual cores.

 

I thought GM45 is just a PM45 with the 4500MHD

 

Yeah, it is... the additional integrated GPU is the X4500MHD.

 

It's about Laptop manufacturers , AMI , Phoenix and INTEL
how they will program BIOS ...
Laptop manufacturers will request how they want program BIOS (lock that part, unlock that part that will be limited what not ..
I had Disabled VT and Locked
That means I even couldn't set to enable/disable
AMI and Phoenix will do it for them..
Of course laptop manuf . pay for that ..
programeers what can modify these things ( I mean at home)
they are da best !

 

Yeah I found Intel Web which chipsets are compatible with Core™2 Quad Processor Q9100:
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37033

 

Linked it back in post 7 , still manufactures don't always support all features.

 

Ohh Yeah
Sorry