Can I upgrade?

Hi guys, I realize this may be kind of a silly question or whatever but I have an HP dv8000t with a T2300 1.66gHz , 2x100GB HDDs (Don't know if they're in RAID), and 1 GB of RAM.

Since it's a T2300, I assume it's socket M and a Core Duo "Yonah" processor (All according to Commander Wolf's guide). I was wondering if I could upgrade to, say, a T2600 at 2.16gHz processor, whether I could tell a big difference, and whether it would be worth it to upgrade to 2 GB of RAM. I am running XP MCE on it, btw.

I've looked at T2600s on eBay and I saw one listing the T2600 as a socket 478 processor and the other one simply listing the socket as MCPGA ; socket 478, I would assume, is just wrong ( I mean it has 478 pins but so does socket 479) and Micro-CPGA has been said to be the form factor of many of these processors.

Also, if anyone with an HP laptop could tell me if their 1 GB is 2x512 or 1x1 GB, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks for the help guys

PS, I've tried to use the search function, but it's only for "senior" members (who post a lot).

 

Usually notebook manufacterers will put in 512 MB x 2 instead of 1 GB x 1, since it's cheaper that way. Only higher end workstations are customizeable with 1 x 1 GB RAM

Your HDDs are NOT in RAID, as there is no RAID controller on your notebook's motherboard. This feature CANNOT be upgraded to, since RAID controllers are soldered onto the motherboard, or southbridge.

As for the processor, the upgrade should work fine. You can go up to the T2600, or even the T2700 (2.333 GHz). You'll notice a difference with the clock speed, but with the same L2 Cache and FSB, there'll be no difference there.

Also since some Core 2 Duo processors are socket M, I THINK you might be able to upgrade to them as well, but I'm not too sure. Other members please help me out on that one. The Core 2 Duo upgrades that might be possible would be the T5500, T5600, T7200, T7400, and T7600. These all have a larger L2 Cache and higher clock speeds, so that would help also. If upgrading to a Core 2 Duo is possible, I would DEFINITELY recommend it instead of the Core Duo.

Also, the C2Ds have a higher TDP (34 watts instead of the 31 watts for the core duo), so your notebook might get a little warmer, but with some undervolting, it won't be a problem.

 

Ah, thanks. I remember thinking about C2D's for upgrading as well, I can't remember what it was that deterred me. I have a 17" notebook, so heat shouldn't be too big of a problem, and as you mentioned, undervolting.

 

I think a Core 2 Duo socket M should work. But having said that upgrade your RAM first and take it for a test drive. Depending on what you do a RAM upgrade for under $40 (2GB's) might make the biggest difference. After that I normally say HDD but well you have two. Is one "C" and the other "D"? If so get a larger HDD either a 320GB 5400 or 200GB 7200 for around $150. Also consider using this for another year or so and buy new. It does not make sense but the CPU's for yours on upgrades are over priced. I would do better buying a T9300 as far as value goes but won't work for you.

RAM first then HDD those will help the most! Good Luck!

Meemat Use the search feature in my sig, it is for you kids and is actually better than the site tool for senior members shhh........., God luck

 

Your notebook doesnt support RAID

You can tell the performance difference between a T2300 to a T2600. Usual programs will benefit from the extra clockspeed. Though i recommend you go for a Core2Duo cpu. Prefferably T5600 1.8ghz or T7200 2.0ghz

Your ram will usually be 2x512mb so it runs on dual channel

 

Yes I agree, upgrade your RAM and HDD before anything. If needed, upgrade your CPU. Consider $$$ as well!

 

Hm... yeah I've seen Yonah processors are crazy pricey for now, weird. I'll definitely upgrade the RAM then and the HDDs soon probably.

Also, I'm going to be taking this laptop to college (for now) and see what I need, then maybe next summer/beginning of next year I'll buy a Nehalem-based machine.

Thanks (also thanks for the rest of the post )

Edit: flipfire and unknowntt, that's what I'm thinking, C2D sounds great, flip I didn't even consider that they'd be optimized for dual channel lol

unknowntt you bring up a good point, I don't really want to spend too much cash on a computer I won't be using for about another year.

Arg, I'm really just considering leaving this one in my dorm for the most part and buying one of those fancy new subnotebooks, then next year buying a sweet laptop :/

So many choices...

 

Good luck with the upgrade and tell us how it went once you've done it!

 

Really do consider as it sounds like you are. Why spend money on some things (CPU?) that may buy you little time? If you buy a good HDD you can buy a lesser on your new and save money or use as external! It can go with you. CPU can't. Don't over focus on that Dual Channel, sounds like not understood in previous post. Here is a link to the hardware sticky (I wrote) the author is a jerk but some good points. For normal tasks Dual channel sometimes does not matter. Bandwidth is not the issue. But having it in RAM instead of on HDD is key as RAM is so much faster. So more is better however you do it.

 

Id have to say a C2D upgrade will make a bigger difference than RAM or hdd, comming from a T2400. But it might not be worth the money

 

The biggest upgrade in speed would be an SSD for the OS...a 32 GB one would really improve load times.
Other than that, as Flipfire said, the T7200 should prove to be a nice upgrade.(if available)

 

But you need to consider (like powerpack said) how long you're going to hold onto this thing for. If you're gonna keep it for a year, then screw it, wait a while and get a new laptop with a bunch of newer and better features. If this is gonna be your system for the next 3 years, then sure, upgrade the processor.

Again, you need to consider how long this will last you, and that is why I say the CPU upgrade isn't the best choice if this laptop will only be used for a short time.

 

Im using a 3+year old laptop right now to surf NBR, i will probably still be using this notebook for the next 2 years (i only use it when lying in bed). You will probably use your laptop for aslong as it lives. So upgrades might be worth your while it if you plan to use it for ages...

I actually just won a bid on ebay for a new CPU. Ill be moving from a crappy Celeron M 360 1.4ghz/1mb to a Pentium M 725 1.6ghz/2mb for $26.

 

Yep,Flipfire is right,now I`m typing on my 2.5 year old HP , whereas my Sager is in another room installing a game

 

Yeah, thanks for the responses. I came into this forum (originally, like in December) trying to figure WHICH laptop I was gonna go to college with this Fall, but now I'm left wondering IF I'm ever gonna be satisfied. I've just told myself that mobile Nehalem is as long as I'll wait.

As for this laptop, it runs fine (mainly) but I can definitely tell that having only 1 GB of RAM is hurting it. I'll check the HDD speeds on it. Another thing is that when I'm through with this laptop for the first year or so, it's going back to my father, who uses it at his office occasionally to check stocks and stuff, so it still needs to be in good shape; he will probably use it for a while.

Edit: powerpack, thanks for clearing that up

 

Meemat, what chipset does your laptop use?
This will determine what core processor you can get.
You are either limited to up to the T5300 for 533mHz FSB, the T7600 for 667MHZ bus, or your chipset will only accept core based cpu's not core 2's.

To check what array of ram your system uses, download cpu-z. Than go into the memory and spd tabs. Their you will see a pull down menu, which states the memory in banks 1 and 2. If one of the memory banks reads nothing than its empty, meaning that you have one 1Gb card. If you get information in both banks, you have 2 x 512mb cards.
Also go into the motherboard tab, and you will see the chipset your system uses.
Also tell us the FSB of your processor, it is in the main tab.
Knowing these, we can determine your maximum cpu upgrade.

Remember before upgrading cpu's upgrade your bios to the latest revision, so you will gain support for newer cpu's.

K-TRON

K-TRON

 

flipfire I would never argue against a $26 CPU upgrade. I thought we were talking real money? And you my friend are satisfied with your notebook does not sound like over modding it to be a power user I just wanted to point out sometimes if you want too much the best way is to start new.

 

Yeah guys here are the screenshots from CPU-Z



and



So it looks like I've got a 667mHz FSB and i945PM chipset, so socket M C2D should be possible (right?), though I'm reconsidering upgrading the processor.

As for the RAM, I have 2x512 as suspected, so I'll just go for 2x1 GB as an upgrade.

Also, I noticed it said socket 479 mPGA, but according to Wikipedia, Socket M is the new version of socket 479 and uses i945GM instead of the previous chipsets, so does this mean that I'm running a socket M processor (the evidence points this way since T2300 is supposed to be socket M) ?

One more thing,



Here's the screenshot for the RAM section of CPU-Z. I was confused because of the PC-5300 and 333mHz combination. I am so lost as far as the PC-5300 naming convention goes.

I'm not sure what PC-XXXX type of RAM to get if I do go ahead and get some.

Arg. One LAST thing. eleron, since you say you've got an HP, does your keyboard every freeze up or have one key basically act like it's held down/stuck until you press it again? All/any of my keys will do this occasionally if I've rapidly input multiple keystrokes (like typing) or simultaneous keystrokes (like while gaming). It's pretty much the most irritating thing in the world to have your keys turn into "toggle button on/off" switches.

 

Reseat your keyboard ribbon or replace the whole keyboard itself.

 

Hm...so it's a mechanical and not a driver-based issue?

Also have you had this problem/what did you do?

 

From the symptoms you described, it does sound abit like software problem since it does it for every key.

Try reseating the keyboard cable anyway.. its pretty easy.

 

As above and or reinstall drivers, couldn't hurt. And even try external also for kicks. I mean if it happens on that as well, I mean different drivers and all?

 

The keyboard drivers are generic drivers provided by Vista/XP.

The QuickLaunch button drivers will piggyback onto it. So try re-installing QLB aswell

It should say "Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard with HP QLB" under keyboards in the Device Manager

 

I have the i945PM in my Dell E1505, and the chipset supports all 533Mhz and 667Mhz socket M processors. So yes, you can upgrade all of the way up to the T7600 if you so desire.
The i945PM only supports 2Gb of memory, so your best bet is buying 2 x 1Gb memory cards.
I have 2 x 1Gb of memory which I can sell to you for cheap, just send me a PM.

The keyboard is most likely hardware related, but it could be because of dirt and gunk buildup. If you have an air compressor or spray can, try blasting the dirt out from underneath the keys. Hopefully that will save you from buying a whole keyboard.

K-TRON

 

Ok guys sorry for letting this sink to the bottom but I haven't really gotten to do much on the laptop since my father has been using it for work; I'm actually going to be out of the country (the US) for a month so I guess I'll let this thread get buried and exhume it later.

Thanks for the help guys, + rep to all.

Also K-Tron I'll definitely keep your offer in mind and send you a PM when I get back/if I'm interested/if you still have it

 

Have a good and safe trip! If you can don't revive but start new and link if you think important? Just thoughts.