Can you please help me pick a CPU upgrade.

For the most part I want to max out this laptop. I have an Asus G72GX with the original P8700 2.53GHz installed. I use setfsb and run it at 2.9GHz. It has 3mb of L2 cache.

One thing about this laptop, the CPU is 1066MHz but the RAM used is only DDR2 800MHz. Does this mean I can use a processor with either FSB?

This is my everyday computer and my traveler. I pretty much do everything on it. I use it for web duties, MS Office, light graphics/photo editing and gaming, gaming, gaming.

Right now I'm playing Arkham Asylum, Bioshock 1 & 2, Borderlands, Dirt 2, Fallout 3, Orange Box, Mass Effect 2, Splinter Cell Conviction and WoW. Who knows what I'll be playing the future.

I am done with Crysis for the time being.

So I think I'm looking at one of the following upgrade processors;

X9100
T9900
Q9000

Am I missing one I should be considering? Mine is the Best Buy model (Purchased from Newegg however.) so maybe I can't use the quad cores, I've never really figured that out.

One thing, I don't really want my temps to skyrocket too much. This unit only has one fan and my GPU temps are already higher than I like so if we have a draw on performance between a couple of CPU's then I'd like to error on the side of cooler running. I think my P8700 is 35 watts.

So if you wanted to put it a CPU to maximize this computer's potential what would you use and why?

Thanks for any help.

 

You won't notice a difference with a CPU upgrade since none of your uses are really CPU intensive. The P8700 is 25W TDP by the way. You can use 800MHz FSB CPUs but you cannot use DDR2 1066MHz (though this doesn't exist). I think you could probably use the quad core but you might need to update the BIOS, you should check out the Asus subforum to see if anyone has done the upgrade.

 

A few of the games bog down a bit. Splinter Cell and Dirt 2. A faster CPU won't help this at all? They just need a little nudge forward to be acceptable. Thanks.

 

You can use a quad. Just make sure you update the bios.

 

But the quad might slow down the others that only need faster CPUs.

 

Be prepared for extra heat. Doesn't that laptop only have one fan and heatsink for the CPU and GPU? I would probably go for the T9900 and just OC that if if needed.

Also Dirt 2 does like extra CPU power.

 

You are not a good candidate for an "upgrade" it is the way it is.

And your point is? Do you want to slow down your fsb? Yes you could but why.

You can not run 1066 RAM on that so forget that.

You really cannot upgrade. Your system performs just fine. Why play with. 800MHz DDR2 and 1066MHz DDR3 have very similar performance.

I would look at other things.

 

t9900 is the best choice it has the same speed of the x9100 and a lower tdp

 

My point? what are you talking about? I'm asking a question, not making a point.

My system performs fine? I clearly stated I had some games that could use a little more speed to run better. I don't know, why play with 800 and 1066mhz memory? What makes you think I can even do that? This computer comes with DDR2 800MHz memory and that's as fast the memory gets for this computer. Sorry but what you are stating is not even possible.

What other things?

 

That's kind of the conclusion I'm reaching as well. Thanks.

 

You wont see any improved performance from those CPU's. Thats a waste of money. Thats what people are saying. If you had to upgrade, then go for a QX9300 (or maybe even Q9100) which is a good step above the P8700, or go for an SSD (which will dramatically improve loading times).

 

That's great. Nobody mentioned any other processors to me so thank you for the recommendations. The G72GX Best Buy model will support the QX9300 with no problem?

I do have a 64gb Kingston SSD for my boot drive and very happy with it.

I'm trying to get frame rates up a little bit in a few games however.

 

I dunno much about the G72, but if it supports the Q9000 I think it should also support Q9100, Q9200 and QX9300.

Just keep in mind you wont see much increase in frame rate, except for games like GTA IV and some RTS.

 

The 2 games I'm playing right now which are slowing somewhat are the latest Splinter Cell and Dirt 2. A previous poster said a faster CPU could help this game out. But the more I'm reading and thinking on this the more I'm starting to also believe a processor upgrade may not be the right move for me. Maybe I can pick something up cheap though.

Thanks for your help.

 

Curious what GPU? Did I miss? I guess I ask because I have concern that might be what is holding you back. If it is no amount of CPU upgrade will overcome.

On my last post sorry you took offense. I thought I addressed points you brought up. If I was wrong my bad. Your current CPU has a lot of power is/was my main thought.

 

OK, I was just asking a question and it kind of felt like I was getting lectured for making bad decisions when I was just seeking advice.

It has a 260M GTX that I've clocked to nVidia specs. (Asus underclocks them.) It plays most games just fine but two that I play right now would be a lot better if they just picked a few frames per second.

 

That is a good GPU. And I am not sure if a CPU upgrade would help. I just do not know.