GL960 Chipset Processor Upgradability

I am very happy that everything turned out well for you. Enjoy the upgrade, and you're most welcome!

 

My niece recently gave me her old Acer Aspire 4315-2004. She said it was unusable because it was so slow, so I went to google and found this informative thread.

Went CPU shopping and found the T9500 is still around $50, and the T9300 is over $30. I settled on the T7800 for $25 shipped. CPU-Z shows it running at 800 MHz FSB and it should have a multiplier of 6x to 13x. It’s actually running 4x to 14x, so 800 to 2800! Memory is running at 333 MHz instead of 266.

The service manual has a list of the various components that this laptop might have been put together with. Here is the section on memory:



Notice it says “Intel GL960 Express chipset” and it says it supports max memory of “4 GB for 64bit OS”. I put it in two sticks of 2GB (PC2-6400), and it booted to BIOS fine, but as expected, win7 32-bit crashed to a blue screen. I went to win8.1 64-bit, and no blue screen, but it just stopped dead during the boot. I now have 1GB in slot 1 and 2GB in slot 2 with no problems. I feel like there must be a way to get 4GB working. Is Hynix memory the only one that might work? Seems unlikely…

 

1) The GL960 supports a maximum of 2GB of DDR2, but if in fact if the chipset is not GL960 and the modified GL965 then it will support 3GB of DDR2, but not 4GB
2) In order to put the T9500 or T9300 in your BIOS there must be corresponding microcodes for them, if they are not there then the system will not start. Before buying them, check which microcodes are worth.

 

Hello Mike, and welcome to the forum.

Your niece's laptop contains a modified GM965 chipset, which sits in-between the GL960 and the GM965. You can read more about it, here. That will also explain why 4 GB of RAM is giving you blue screens, and why the RAM is running at 667 MT/s.

As for the T7800, it supports Intel Dynamic Acceleration, which is Intel's first iteration of Turbo Boost. It applies only to one core while the other is in a deep sleep (ultra-low-power) mode.

In regards to the table you provided, I would simply put that down to the manufacturer having to state a difference between running a 32-bit operating system, and a 64-bit version (the 3.25 GB RAM limitation). ASUS has stated 4 GB for my model with a 64-bit operating system, but it most definitely gives blue screens. If I have learned anything about these GL960 OEM laptops, it's to never trust the information provided by the manufacturer 100%.

All the best.
Dylan

 

I'm having trouble finding the BSEL mod + PLL mod to install FSB 1066 CPU into a FSB 800 motherboard. I have T61P with a T9500, bought a X9100 for 10$ and I really want to stuff one in here.

 

Here are the combinations with 4 GB DDR2 modules on GL960 chipset

tested on ASUS X58L laptop with X51L motherboard rev. 2.1 (BIOS 203 - Latest)

 

So, the limit of the GL960 chipset is 5 GB of RAM maximum ( 4 + 1 )

while it detects 6 gb ( 4 + 2 ) - but without further successful boot of Windows 7/10 (64bit) (*freezes)

And, unfortunately 8 gb ( 4 + 4 ) - will not work, - just black screen

 

Hello Reiph!

Welcome to the NotebookReview forum.

May I ask the memory chip configuration of your 4 GiB module?

Dylan

 

Hello

Kinlstuo 4GB PC 6400 800MHz (Hynix chips)

 

Awesome, thank you. Is there any chance you could run Speccy, and display the system memory tab? I'd like to get the exact SKU number for this module.

 

I bought these modules from here :

https://aliexpress.com/item/Brand-m...dimm-laptop-ram-ddr2-4gb-667/32732380837.html

 

Awesome. Thank you for the link. I will update my site to reflect your findings.

5 GiB seems like an odd number to support, but it's pretty interesting nonetheless. I wonder if this applies to all other systems using this modified GL960 chipset.

 

Hi there, I've read almost of this post's comments, but i haven't seen anyone talking about hp compaq 610. Does anyone know if this old lad can get a better CPU than this Celeron? Also, I cannot figure out whether max memory is 2 or 4 gigs (HP's specs say that 2Gb is max!) though it has one free slot and the other one loaded with a 2gb stick. I also want to mention that graphics is Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family.
I've upgraded to a Samsung EVO 850 but it's still slow even for 2 browsing tabs, so i cannot imagine using MS Word or Powerpoint...
Thanks in advance.

 

Hello Sek0ner. Welcome to the forum.

Just looking through the official documentation for your machine, I can see that it comes with three chipset options; GLE960, GME965 and PM965. If your laptop contains integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics, then it's safe to disregard the PM965 chipset. Unfortunately, due to the three chipset options and lack of information provided by HP, it's unknown which chipsets support what processors in the list. As such, this will become a trial-and-error game.

I wouldn't automatically assume greater than 2 GiB simply because of the number of memory slots. It's entirely possible that each slot can only accept 1 GiB maximum, or in your case, a maximum of 2 GiB in either slot and therefore the other becomes unusable.

But what I think is more likely, is a 3 GiB limit. It's unknown at this time whether there is a difference between the B1 and B2 steppings of the chipset for memory support. So far, I've seen success on both sides with regards to the processor, but to varying degrees. B2 variants have usually supported Penryn microcode in the BIOS, while B1 variants have not, but do support Merom.

Should you want to try 3 GiB, the memory controller inside all GM965-derived chipsets will be limited to DDR2-667 at most. You can use DDR2-800, but the controller will underclock it to DDR2-667 speeds. That is normal behavior and a limitation of Intel's chipsets. A true GL960 chipset will be limited to just 2 GiB of DDR2-533.

Could you take a screenshot of your memory configuration with CPU-Z?

You should expect to not achieve the full capability of the 850 EVO performance due to the SATA-II connections used by the chipset. You'll effectively be getting half the bandwidth to the SSD at best.

Regardless, I think the problem you have right now, is the single-core Celeron. That will be holding you back in program load times as well. There's no fix for your SSD bottleneck, but we should be able to sort something out for a processor upgrade.

- Dylan

 

Hello there Dylan,
Thank you for the fast reply!
These are the specs of the memory


I know SSD does not reach its full potential, but laptop was almost unusable before that, so I had no choice.
I've installed Win 10 32bit by the way.
Edit: As you can see Slot 1 is empty and RAM is @ slot 2. I do not know what that means, though.

 

Hi
I thought I will shed some light on this subject. Contrary to almost all others laptops with GL960 chipset, HP ones don't play nice with upgrading cpu's. Maybe it's bios thing or something on the hardware level. But going back on topic, Upgrading to processor with higher FSB: 166MHz, 200MHz is possible but require using at least one stick of RAM rated 533MHz/ PC2-4200. Simply speaking: higher FSB cpu's work but RAM has to work with this low speed, it eliminate errors with gpu. If I'm not mistaken, cpu's with FSB 133MHz should work without problems, and the laptop should take 3Gb of RAM. The easy option, but giving You less performance is just popping in 1Gb of any ddr2 sodimm and eg. T2370 1.73GHz,T2390 1.87GHz, T2410 2GHz cpu. Little bit harder would be buying 1GB sodimm 533MHz and slapping faster Merom based proper c2d cpu eg. T5750, T7300, T7500 etc. The fastest option is getting Penryn based processors like T8100, T8300, T9300, T9500. But with them is a problem because we don;t know if bios support them. It would be case of buying cpu and trying it Yourself. Here is some info about it as well to back up me little bit: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/gl960-chipset-processor-upgradability.212097/page-8
and on the page 9 to.

 

Hi there darnok,
is there a way to check these "microcodes" so that i find out what CPUs my poor HP can support?

 

If it's AMI bios then super easy but I don't think so. It's probably Award or Phoenix or some sort propriety HP bios. You can check that easily by entering the bios.

 

I can only set passwords,bios language and then some kind of HDD,memory and startup diagnostics. Nothing interesting in there. So, what's left now?

 

I dig up on bios mod forum that this laptop use some old style bios which can be edit using ADDC tool. Off course it can't be found anywhere. So there's no way to try check cpu microcodes. It all depend how much money You want to throw on this. First You would have to buy 533MHz memory which are hard to find those days and next buy some Penryn based cpu, but like I said there's no guaranties that this will work. And not just any Penryn based processor, one of this: T8100, T8300, T9300, T9500, because those are early ones which have greater chance to work. There are cheaper and in my opinion better value: price to performance, Penryn based cpu: T6400, T6500, T6600, but those are stepping R0, which was released about year after mentioned before and might require even newer microcode.

 

I checked these CPU's, some of them are BGA and not PGA. I suppose that my choice has to be 479 PGA, right?

 

Off course, back i the days there were ass well BGA version of some processors but You are after PGA.

 

For FSB it's easiest to google ' cpu + datasheet' and use the pdf to find out which pin or pins to short. Made a quick image for reference:

Spoiler: Core 2 Duo - FSB pin mod

For the PLL trial+error usually works, but you could also look for it on the board; it should be close to the northbridge.

 

Hello, now i have t7500 and today i found t8300 for 4$ . Is worth upgrade?

 

Get T9300 - it works for me and I have compaq 610 gl960. Before I upgraded this cpu from the default celeron 560, the two memories I have worked without any issue: one the 4gb ddr 6400 and second 1gb ddr 5300 - so together 5gb of ram. I have also several 2gb sticks, but no combination 4gb +2gb had worked for me (even with 2gb 4200 ram).
Now only 3gb works without any problems, although when I give these 4+1gb ram (or just one 4gb stick alone) and first start windows in the safe mode and then restart to the normal mode, it works..
How is that it works after reboot, but when I turn off the laptop and then back on, I get a black screen in the normal mode startup? Any software solution for this?
Now I'll buy another ram - 1gb of ddr-533 and see if that helps.
Thanks for this thread.

 

I just want to confirm that now, with the 1gb 4200 memory, my system is runing overall 5gb without any graphical issue. I believe it's max for this Compaq 610. And of course with the T9300 processor.

 

Your experience for me is very valuable. Write please what memory view (parameters) you have in the RAM version (4 + 1) with T9300, at which all works without problems?
It's important for me.
Preferably Screenshot.

 

FOR REAL? ? ? ? 4GB+1? on what frequency??
Update: I just noticed you've written them above. But..wow!

 

So I'm interested in the question or run the DDR2 4GB memory bar, my DDR2 1GB 5300 bar. I have it not 4200 but 5300?
......................
The frequency of the 667MGz memory bus is a two-channel symmetrical mode.

 

Hi there, I recently upgraded my compaq 610 with a T2390 (which I found for $3 only on aliexpress, lol), which I can say seems like a boost compared to the celeron. My question is, would this chipset support an Intel Core2 Duo P9500 @ 2.53GHz?

 

Hello!

According to HP, the equipped chipset is either a GLE960, or GME965. Regardless of which chipset it is, you will be unable to use any 1,067 MT/s FSB processor with these chipsets. These processors were intended for use with the newer GL40/GM45/PM45 chipsets.

I would advise grabbing the portable version of Piriform Speccy (no need to install) and running it to grab the essential information you need to therefore progress with this tool.

- Dylan

 

Currently I have a Gateway ML6731. When I received it, it had an Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2370 and 2 GB of RAM. I was able to find a laptop that was being thrown away that had a 2x2GB RAM sticks and the Intel Core 2 Duo T5800. When I installed 4GB of RAM the system BSOD, but when I put in 3 GB, the system ran fine. This leads me to presume that I have a "fake" GM965. What is the best CPU that you think I could put in the laptop <35W TDP (As the T5800 already reaches 70C). And the FSB is running at 800 MHz.

 

Hello Matthew,

I apologize for the late reply; I'm in the process of redeveloping the debugger tool.

Because we're unaware of the ML6731's processor support in the BIOS, I'd advise that you buy a cheap Penryn-based Celeron to test for Penryn support, before you buy a more expensive Core2 Duo.

Suitable models for testing would be the Celeron M 900/925, and Celeron Dual-Core T3000.

If you find that Penryn is supported, you can then proceed to upgrade to something like a Core2 Duo T9300/T9500. They are the fastest options with an 800 MT/s FSB, excluding the Core2 Extreme processors with higher heat dissipation.

Failing Penryn support, you can upgrade to a Core2 Duo T5900/T7800.

- Dylan

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

No worries. Let us know how it goes.

 

Hi all, new to the forum hoping someone can help.

I have an old acer extensa 4220 laptop with 2gb ram and a celeron 530? cpu. The chips etc is GL960.

What is the fastest cpu I could upgrade this to?

Also could I put more ram in? Google seems to say 2gb is max.

Thanks

 

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel_(chipsets)/GL960_Express.html

T9500 it seems is the best you can put in there.

And it should support 4GB of RAM, barring some BIOS limitation.

 

Thanks for quick reply. I was thinking that processor is the fastest however my chips etc seems to only be 533mhz fsb but that cpu you linked is 800. I thought people on here said to keep the fsb the same?

 

Oh, sorry :/

If its a socket M:

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/CPUs/Intel/Celeron_M/530_(Socket_M).html

T7600 then.

 

CPUZ says its socket 479 mPGA

 

i just upgraded from a celeron to a t7250 c2d on an acer 4315 and some programs randomly crash with this new cpu. for example, chocolate-doom. i run the inicial demo gameplay and it runs from 7 to 15 minutes, ending in a crash. the intel cpu testing program initially crashed, then, when i reopened it, it showed that the cpu worked fine, haha. it does not happen with the celeron.

anyone else with such problems with a c2d on a gl960?

 

Might need a bios update? Im worried ive ordered a T7700 for my acer extensa 4220 but I cant get the stupid bios updated, ive tried everything barring downgrading the OS from the win10 64bit I put on back to XP to try update. Im just hopeful it will work when it arrives as I really cant be bothered going to XP.

 

Upgraded my old VGN-CR220E with T9500 for 20$ and it runs great!!! Less heat than old CPU and Intel IDA working too (boosting single core clock to 2.8GHz). Also currently running dual 2x2GB DDR2-800 sticks, but the machine only runs it at 667MHz

 

Went to install my new T7700 cpu and realised the useless idiots at the second hand shop sent me a desktop 6600 instead.

So now ive got to wait and try source a new cpu from somewhere. Ebay prices are ridiculous, £30 for the likes of T9500? No Thanks

 

Why do you want to go for T7700? Wouldn't T8300 be a better choice? That same speed but since is already in 45nm it runs much cooler. If You want go extra mile for cpu from T9XXX series there is T9300 which is basically two times cheaper then T9500 and You can have it for around 15 quid. We talking of course about UK prices. Ordering from china or HK will save You a lot of money as well if You don't mind wait some time for delivery. If You want to have really cheap, little bit slower, then those top chips, upgrade look after T6670 on E..y. There are cheap as 4£. 2.2GHz and made in 45nm should be fast enough and run cool.

 

Would the 9300 definitely work on a GL960 board?

edit: ive ordered a 9300. I had another thought though, today I put a 2gb ram stick in with a 1gb. Would it be more beneficial to have 2x 1GB in dual channel or have the extra ram?

Thanks

 

It's a bit of a hit-or-miss game with GL960 laptops, I'm afraid.

Most of the time, they are capable of accepting dual-cores and 3 GiB RAM, and are therefore closer to a GM965, but there are occasions where an actual GL960 chipset has been used. If you're seeing only Celeron M processors listed as compatible under Acer's documentation, and a 2 GiB memory limit, it's not looking good.

But there is hope. I've been looking around, and there are reports of a Pentium Dual-Core T2370, Core2 Duo T7250 and Core2 Duo T7500 working. Support for Penryn processors is unknown.

* Still working on the update to my GL960 debugger.

 

Well I've out 3gb ram in and it works just fine, so maybe that means it would accept a core 2 duo fine too?

Also any idea on which is more beneficial, 3gb (2+1) or 2gb (1+1 dual channel)?

Thanks