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    Dell Inspiron 5100 upgrade help

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by CaJaks2, Mar 31, 2007.

  1. CaJaks2

    CaJaks2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well I'm new here, looking for advice on what I hope to be my next project if it is possible. Before I got started on it i want to make sure its even possible. (And Hey to everyone that helps). Ok I have a dell inspiron 5100. It has a 2.4 Pentium 4 (desktop version) 256 MB of ram (2x128, I am upgrading) and a mobility ati 7500. My question is simple, can i upgrade the cpu? I do have a desktop variant northwood core 2.8 p4 with a 400 FSB, could that possibly work if i installed it? I think a later variant of the 5100 came out with a 2.8 version if that helps at all. Any thoughts?
    Thank you :)
     
    CaJaks2, Mar 31, 2007
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  2. lilredfoxie

    lilredfoxie Notebook Evangelist

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    I believe they used a regular desktop processor in there, so you might be able to upgrade it. Just make sure the fans and cooling equipment is working, I have a friend with an Inspiron 5100, and we nicknamed it the hot plate.

    http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/sm/cpu.htm#1084976
    To save you the trouble, if you haven't gotten it already, here is the page of the service manual that tells you how to replace the processor.
     
    lilredfoxie, Mar 31, 2007
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  3. CaJaks2

    CaJaks2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Any idea if the BIOS would support it? I think it may the power for 2.8 is a bit more too. So could it do any damage to the motherboard if its incomputable? Just not post i guess.
     
    CaJaks2, Mar 31, 2007
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  4. Skibums

    Skibums Notebook Evangelist

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    Use CPU-z to get the specs for the processor in the Dell and the P4 2.8 (if it's in a computer). If the P4 2.8ghz is not installed, get the sSpec # from it. With that info, got to Intel's Processor Spec Finder site and compare the two processors. You want to match the package type, FSB speed, and voltage.

    If they are both P4 Northwood, and with their CPU speed being so close, I believe the bios may not be an issue. Do check to see if you have the latest bios available. God luck.
     
    Skibums, Mar 31, 2007
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  5. CaJaks2

    CaJaks2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    CaJaks2, Mar 31, 2007
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  6. CaJaks2

    CaJaks2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well sorry to bump such an old thread. The processor was replaced and also i replaced the 256 with 512 mb of memory. Everything went smoothly. Thank you for the help!
     
    CaJaks2, May 2, 2007
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