Need to upgrade CPU on my Lenovo SL300

My Lenovo SL300 has Intel T5670 CPU. Because I start to play with virtual machines a lot, I want to upgrade to Intel VT enabled CPU.

Can you help me to choose correct one?

BIOS Information
Vendor: LENOVO
Version: 6AET46WW
Release Date: 09/05/2008
Runtime Size: 64 kB
ROM Size: 1024 kB
BIOS Revision: 6.15
Firmware Revision: 177.3

System Information
Manufacturer: LENOVO.
Product Name: 273852G
Version: ThinkPad SL300

Processor Information
Socket Designation: Socket 478
Manufacturer: Intel
Version: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T5670 @ 1.80GHz
Voltage: 1.1 V
External Clock: 200 MHz
Max Speed: 1800 MHz
Current Speed: 1800 MHz
Status: Populated, Enabled
Upgrade: Socket 423
L1 Cache Handle: 0x0005
L2 Cache Handle: 0x0006
L3 Cache Handle: Not Provided

Intel Mobile Intel® GM45 Express Chipset

 

I think you can buy a p8400 and drop that in. But you'll also need to make sure to enable VT in the bios. I heard Lenovo may have disabled VT for that model, despite it being a business class notebook, so check that out. Swapping in a new CPU with VT won't matter if you can't even enable it in the BIOS.

 

My current BIOS doesn't have Virtualization options at all. I tried to check lenovo webpage for BIOS updates, but there is no statement about virtualization in release notes. I tried to google for it and found this forum: http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/SL-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/SL500-and-hardware-virtualization/m-p/95216, where user garytr23 has replaced T5670 by P8400 and the option has appeared for him, but I'm not sure and still confused by different FSB.

There is a review about SL300 with P8600 at netebookreview.com http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4582. P8600 has VT instruction set, but it uses 1066 MHz FSB, same as P8400. But I'm not sure, if it is same laptop, like if it uses same mother board with same chipset.

Can I fit CPU with 1066 MHz FSB to laptop where is 800 MHz FSB? If yes, do I need to replace memory?

 

if u have GM45 chipset , u can use P8600... it will work for sure... but even if it supports VT , ur BIOS has to.. that's why i would update the BIOS before installing new CPU.. even if it doesn't show the option now , there a high chance the VT option will be unlocked when u install P8600...

 

i did upgrade my cpu on my lenovo sl500 and it didnt have the vt visible in bios. after upgrade the vt become visible. be sure u turn off (completely) your laptop after u enabled vt in bios.
good luck.

 

So,

• I have upgraded BIOS to the latest available version from Lenovo
• I have replaced CPU
• I have enabled VT in BIOS
• Now I'm able to run VirtualBox with VT enabled support

I have problems with Linux kvm, which is not working and results with hanged system. VirtualBox is running without problems.

Thank you very much.