Comments on my laptop upgrade plz!

Ok, I have an quite old Sony Vaio VGN-AR61ZU and was about to look for a new laptop when I thought that -hey! this one does the job quite ok!

Two keys were broke though, so I began an internet search a new keyboard, which developed into a search for how to make the most out of my laptop!

This is what I think Im going to do:

4GB -> 8GB RAM (spec says 4GB max but Ive read reports about successfull 8GB upgrades) Have ordered from eBay for $100.

Replacing the HDDs to 1HDD and 1 SSD.

Clean install Windows 7 64-bit (with this guide here!).

Upgrade the T8300->T9300 ( have bought a defected laptop with this processor in IT for $20, including battery, charger, keyboard etc.)



My question is, what changes will have the most effect and what change can evoke problems? Bios problem with new CPU? Memory problem with P965? Any comment is welcome!

Im just eager to make IT the best possible for very little $$$.

/K

 

The CPU change and RAM (if 4GB was fine) will have the less impact. The SSD will be felt a lot though. However, since you already have the CPU, why not go for it.

 

I'd spend that $100 off memory upgrade and spend it all on the SSD and maybe a 7200 RPM secondary hard drive unless of course you find yourself using more than 4GB of ram on average.

More memory isn't going to make Windows faster unless the programs you're running demand more than what you've got installed on the laptop.

On the other hand, an SSD upgrade would be very noticeable and depending on how you plan on using the secondary hard drive a 7200 RPM over 5400 RPM is quiet noticeable.

 

Thanks for your replies!

I guess the main reason for why I sent for more RAM was that since I have a 64-bit ready CPU I wanted to use that, and I figures 4GB is in the lower range for using the 64-bit OS, or? I use my computer for photoshop and music production mainly, besides from standard surf, mail, Office tasks.

I will go for a storage setup with at least 1 SSD for sure, since Ive understand that it will make a big difference.

Once agaon, thanks for your replies and Ill come back and ler you know what worked and what didnt!

 

The best thing you can do (if you haven't ordered the RAM yet) is to check your RAM usage. If you're close to using the full 4GB, then yeah go ahead, otherwise, no need to get it. 4GB was a lot back when your laptop was released and if i'm not mistaken, 64-bit OSes were already around back then.

I don't see why any of the upgrades you suggested wouldn't work by the way. The switch from T8300 to T9300 should be seamless as well as the RAM and drive upgrade (aside from reinstalling the OS).

 

Not all P/GM965s are the same. Some boot and see full 8GB, some see only 6GB and some wont boot with more than 4GB at all.

 

Agree with previous posters, unless you constantly hit or get close to the limit of 4GB RAM, there is little benefit going for extra RAM.

A SSD on the other hand, will make a HUGE difference, no matter your usages, just install your OS and most frequently used programs on it and you will immediately feel the difference. No need to get another fast/expensive HDD if SSD already streches your budget.

 

How come different P965 behaves differently with the same bios? Interesting...

 

The BIOS is not the same, depends on manufacturer, and it varies from model to model even if they use the same chipset. Same goes for extreme CPUs as well.

 

Ok. Ive seen 8gb with same bios and chipset as mine, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

 

I had a similar system to yours and gave it away (donation, direct to student).

I don't think this is a worthwhile upgrade for the $$$ involved and the performance you'll have when all is said and done.

Sorry, don't want to rain on your parade but this is the harsh reality of trying to upgrade a system from 2008.


If you are set on seeing this through though; don't listen to the others that the RAM won't make a difference - especially with an x64 bit O/S 4GB will be holding the platform back.

The SSD's I can recommend for this SATA2 setup would be the Crucial M4 or (better: speed-wise) the SanDisk Extreme 240GB models.

Consider simply fixing the keyboard and selling it as-is - that money could go towards a new platform that will put the upgraded version of this project to shame for less than $700 total.

Anyway - your call - but you did ask for any input (and I really am trying to help you).

Good luck.

 

I really appreciate your feedback!

To me this is a matter of $$$ put in. I wouldnt dream of spending alot on things that would only be suitable for this laptop. The only thing is the So-Dimm ram but that I can easily sell for what I gave if I want to because its quite hard to get (and costs almost the double to what I paid) here in Sweden if you dont want to go eBaying. The things Ive bought are

Intel 330-series 180GB SDD (will be usefull also in a later computer) approx $140
2x4GB so-dimm ram $100
defected laptop incl battery keyboard CPU T9300 charger and 200GB HDD $30

The way I see it the SSD isnt an investment specifically for this upgrade so the cost for using this laptop a little longer is to me $130.

Well come back with report when everything is done!

Again tnx for input!

/Kristoffer

 

Yeah, it looks like you have your priorities straight - looking forward to your impressions when it is up and running.

The RAM will give a boost (depends on your workflow (unknown) how much it will be noticed - the CPU will be about 25% faster (this should be immediately noticeable - and the SSD will give the most obvious boost - if you're installing Win7x64 via USB (get the SP1 version while you're at it...) you should see an install time of less than 10 minutes for the O/S - not to mention the snappiness of anything you do while navigating Windows.


Download the Win7x64 SP1 version of the O/S you have here:

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-digitalriver-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html



And check out the link to the tool which will create a USB boot drive (4GB or larger USB key).


Good luck.

 

The CPU cant be 25% faster right?! Difference is 0.1ghz and twice L2 cashe. Or?

Thanks for the link. I think my friend has installable DVD so I think no need for boot USB or download. Else I know where to look!

 

Sorry, you're right the cpu upgrade (not saying it will work; I really don't know...) will be around 16% faster, not 25%.

See:
PassMark - Intel Core2 Duo T8300 @ 2.40GHz - Price performance comparison


See:
PassMark - Intel Core2 Duo T9300 @ 2.50GHz - Price performance comparison


The difference from a DVD installation to a USB install is almost 3 times longer (on notebooks, it can be even more, depending on the DVD drive...) - if you will do this twice - it will be worth it.

 

Wow! Bigger CPU difference than I expected! Hope it will work then.

Is installing from a 2.0 USB-stick faster than from DVD you mean? Im about to create the USB-installation-stick right now. Then my friend can just give me the license key over phone (its leagal! He has too many licenses).

 

Yeah - on some systems an order of magnitude difference (bad/slow DVD drive and old/screwy/NVidia or AMD chipset).

 

Now I have prepared a Win7 pro x64 bootable USB-stick and am just waiting for the SSD to arrive (prob tomorrow) and the license key before installing it. Thansk for the advice!

 

SSD up and running, 8gb RAM fully functioning even though specs says max 4gb, win 7 Ultimate x64 installed. Keyboard, cpu and battery left. God tis fast with the SSD!

 

Great to see you making positive progress!

 

Theres always something. Found out that one of the SODIMMS wasnt as supposed a PC2 5300 (333Mhz) but a PC2 4300 (266Mhz). Ive replied to the seller and awaits answer...

 

So what SSD did you end up using,Reason for this question is the Laptop I am using currently is a Dell E 4300 2.4GHZ processor intel onboard Graphics with a Sandisk extreme 256 GB SSD it is quite snappy performance wise,My Toshiba M10 with a T9800 and NV150m dedicated Graphics and a Samsung 830 SSD compared is not anywhere near as snappy in response or boot times.

Matter of Fact My Toughbook with only a 1.8GHZ Core2 Duo is quicker to boot with a Seagate Momentus 320GB Hybrid drive so not all upgrades work as you would expect.

Therefore it is good to actually list the hardware that does work for the benefit of all on here.
Cheers and Congrats on a sucessfull upgrade.

 

Thanks!

I decided to go for an Intel 330-series 180GB SSD. Paid $150 for it.

 

And now I have the problem with one long and two short beeps and black screen following. Indicating that my nVidia GF 8600m GT has given up. Have contacted sony but am not hoping for too much since the laptop is 4,5y old.

Blah, why cant things just work?!