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    H-P DV9700T CTO upgrades

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by morrowmm, Sep 6, 2010.

  1. morrowmm

    morrowmm Newbie

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    I would be grateful for any advice as to what H/W upgrades I can select for this Laptop.
    I've given up on the H-P sight which takes you nowhere in circles, especially if you did a clean install of windows 7.
    I've had this LapTop for a year and it is extremely sound but I would like to upgrade the Intel processor, the memory and possibly the graphics chip.
    I am running Windows 7 64bit and the H-P site states I can upgrade to any amount of memory!!
    I just need to know what type of memory. Can I use DDR3?
    Can I put an i7 processor in this LapTop.
    Is there anyway I can use a 5.1 sound system without the cumbersome docking (3000) station which weighs more than a cadillac.
    Any help appreciated and apologies for long windedness.
     
    morrowmm, Sep 6, 2010
    #1
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    How much memory do you have now? It uses PC5300 memory. It is DDR2 memory. DDR3 would be incompatible. My guess would be the max memory would be 8GB, but it's probably overkill.

    You cannot put in a an i7 in the DV9700 as it the wrong socket. Which CPU do you have now? I think for most uses a better CPU won't make much of a difference.

    If you want a performance bump a good SSD is probably the best way to spend your money. Good luck and welcome to NBR.
     
    ZaZ, Sep 6, 2010
    #2
  3. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    For the types of upgrades you're wishing for and the technological age of the computer you have, I would recommend simply buying something new.

    If you're not in too much of a rush, early 2011 is the time to buy - not only will you have the choice of the new Sandy Bridge based platforms (at today's prices), but even the currently available platforms should be discounted appreciably from what they are currently.

    I would be expecting a minimum of 30-40% increase from any Sandy Bridge computer from what you currently have and up to two or even three times the performance on certain metrics.

    Any upgrades that are feasible on your current platform will only give you up to 30% greater performance and will end up costing in time and money the same as a new system.

    As for the 5.1 sound output, have you looked into a CardBus, or ExpressCard based solution?

    Good luck.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Sep 6, 2010
    #3