Is Celeron M540 upgradeable to Core 2 Duo?

Hey everyone, first post for me!

I've been around the forum and have read through lots of posts to get info, but never had to post cuz I could always find the answers I was looking for. But now I'm somewhat at a loss so I'm looking for some help. Thanks in advance!

I'm interested in buying a Dell Vostro 1500 because it's got a low cost for a laptop with the 8600gt. I've decided that I want the 8600gt on it and keep low specs on everything else and upgrade as i go along the way to keep costs down. Now for the main question: Can I buy the Vostro 1500 with the Celeron M540 option and then upgrade to Core 2 Duo? From what I've researched, the M540 was made on the Santa Rosa platform and thus should be compatible with the Core 2 Duo. The main concern (and lack of understanding) that I have is that the M540 doesn't have the same FSB as the Core 2 Duo CPU's. Does this matter?

Please reply only if you know what you are talking about. I just don't want to be confused by someone saying "I THINK that..." Thanks again in advance!

 

Hmmm, the Celeron M540 looks like it is socket M, whereas the current 800mhz FSB Core 2 Duo is socket P. However, you can buy the 667mhz FSB Core 2 Duo processor, which is socket M.

 

Can you show me a link for the reference? I assumed that it was Socket M but i also read somewhere that it was Socket P. But I already know that they are not compatible.

 

It should not be cost effective to use an other socket in the same line of notebooks, you would have two different motherboards

 

Na, that's not what he's talking about.

On Wikipedia, some of the latter Celeron M's are listed with using socket P. However, the majority of them use Socket M, in fact, I've yet to see a computer utilize a socket P Celeron.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o....22Merom-L.22_.28standard-voltage.2C_65_nm.29

Indeed, Celeron m540 is socket P, while Celeron m520 is socket M.

 

I think the pins may be different(forgot where I read this) So even though its the right socket it won't fit.
Correct me if I'm wrong & I will edit my post.

 

You're wrong. A socket is a standardized pin configuration. If it's a certain socket, it has a certain amount of pins (478) in a certain configuration.

 

OK But what I meant was they were placed differently (I think I'm wrong though).

 

What's placed differently?

 

The pins lithus

 

The placement of the pins are different in each respective socket: Socket 478, M, and P all have 478 pins, but have a slightly different configuration. Sorry, I'm not sure where we're going with this.

 

So, uh, getting back on topic...

I don't completely trust wikipedia so I'm not sure if that chart is correct. But does anyone know FOR CERTAIN what socket the M540 is? If you find info saying that the M540 was manufactured for both sockets M and P, please show me a link.

I understand what vshade was saying. He was saying that all the motherboards should be the same in the Vostro 1500 and thus should be able to drop in faster core 2 duo processors. And although that would seem cost-effective, I'm not sure if that is the manufacturing policy. I'm guessing that there may be a possibility that they don't all have the same motherboards. I just don't want to make the wrong assumption.

And as for what Lithus was saying, I'm pretty sure he's right. According to what I've read, Socket 478, M and P are not compatible with each other. (meaning a Socket P CPU will not drop into a Socket M mobo and vice versa)