Old Inspiron retooling?

Ok, been reading old threads...and getting some knowledge, but honestly im such a layman on some of this stuff....I get a bit lost.

Here is the situation:

I recently moved in with a chick and cannot use my desktop as comfortably as I would like....so i want to use my laptop more often. Its a 5 yr old(ok, laugh) Inspiron l6000 with a Pentium M 1.5 ghz and 504MB of RAM(LISTED per my system label). I run XP on it...and I dont mind keeping it though I have access to I7 at home/work. XP is fine if it helps with speed.

Things it will be used for:

Email
surfing
watching DVDs in bed or on road
playing poker online
listening to Pandora
IMing

Please Note: I DO NOT GAME AT ALL. I understand that in many cases it is worth scrapping comp and going to next gen. but that isnt an option as im currently saving every penny I can to get a mortgage with my GF ASAP. I plan on getting a sandy bridge based laptop in 1.5-2 yrs...and trying to get a deal...No way i can buy a new laptop to bridge the gap considering my specific situation.

I just want something that can make playing poker/surfing/IMing seemless and get rid of the freezes/slow performance.

I was thinking adding 2 sticks of 1Gb RAM maxing it out...(~35 bucks?)
+
Upgrading CPU chip...to 2.26GHz Pentium-M 780 (90 bucks?)

Is there anything else you would suggest? It the difference between 770 and 780 big as the price difference is fairly dramatic.

Thoughts? Should it be pretty easy to swap my CPU if ive replaced the screen before and am minimally handy>?> Any links necessary?

 

Ram upgrade is the best thing you can do. 2gb will help you a lot.

Difference between an Pentium M 770 and 780 is not a lot. You will hardly notice it. Get which ever you can find cheapest.

The last upgrade would be the hard disk. A 7200 rpm disk would help but a SSD would be best. Look into getting a 40 or 60gb SSD if you have the money.

 

RAM is quite cheap now, you can get a 1Gb stick for 10-15€, in the US it should be even cheaper, and XP with 2Gb will fly.
As for the CPU, the difference is marginal, you could even go with the 760, if it is cheaper...
For a 5 year old notebook, you should also consider change the HDD, if you plan to use it actively, because 2,5" disks are likely to crash after 5-6 years. You can use any EIDE??? (I'm not sure, check the service manual) disk.
Also the battery is likely useless on a 5 year old notebook and should be replaced if you want to run it away from a socket.

There is however the question of economics: you pay 200$ to change all the worn-out parts, even if you don't change the screen, which could also be have a CCFL issue around the corner.
Would it not make sense for you to buy some cheap 11"? Either a last-gen which is rather cheap or some new one with somewhat less power?
They cost about 400€ in Europe, which means you could buy one for about the same in $ and get a brand new notebook which won't have issues in the next couple of years...

 

Great input guys...TY for the great posting...

Im ordering the RAM now...and im guessing that will make a fairly dramatic difference given im quadrupling it from factory specs and im keeping XP on it and not upgrading the OS.

Im on crucial's website...any reason to go with anyone else? It is 40 bucks shipped, so I cant imagine it could be much cheaper anywhere, correct+?

I have no issues with the drive and have recently wiped it out well and dont use it to keep my multimedia(I have a desktop for work and external HD)...im definitely ignorant on this stuff as compared to the typical poster here...so can you explain why it would be soo beneficial to upgrade the drive...and how my current drive is slowing the processing. Im kinda confused on that...or unclear, I should say. Note: It looks like a 60g drive with 18g free....

Do you think I should definitely swap out the CPU? Will a change from a 1.5 Ghz to 2.23 be very noticeable(im guessing yes)>?

Im thinking of just swapping out the memory and seeing how it is from there...anyone think thats silly?

I understand putting a lot of money in the comp is silly at this point..but if I can get something usable for the next 1/2yrs (to my needs) for only US$120 and 30 mins of my time...I would think thats a good trade.

As far as the screen it is a 15.1 inch WUXGA(and VERY nice)...and it is relatively new...So it should be good. The battery isnt original and works well also...so that will save me some money on a retooling.

Im not cheap...just need to really save for the next 12 mos in order to try and stretch to a 15 yr mortgage....

 

Wow, with 770 or 760 this becomes a really cheap retooling...I see a 770 on ebay for like 35 shipped...so...might jump on that.

Is there really not much of a difference>?? Seems to be such a jump from 770 to 780, im just curious....im sure you are right.

Any reason not to buy a used Dothan off Ebay and use that?

 

The only thing worth doing/upgrading on a notebook is the RAM, the O/S and the HDD.

Sure, the CPU will give you a theoretical 48% performance increase - but in your use it will make no difference anyway - and, you're taking the chance on making a good/known system unusable with ebay cpu's (and your undetermined skills).

For $35 for the RAM - that is a no brainer and will give you more performance per dollar than anything else you can do to this system.

For the HDD, I don't think there is any point buying one for this system. First, yours is still working, second, it will be a PATA drive with no chance to move/use it on a more current system in the future.

I would only recommend the RAM on this system - but even then, $35 is 10% of the cost of a new system which will be much, much, much, better than anything you can do to what you currently have. But if it will help you stretch the use of this notebook for another 12 months, then it will be money well spent.

Save the money for the CPU and HDD to put towards your new system!

Good luck.

 

Ya, workmate emailed me link for 5% off crucial so im going to go ahead and pull trigger on that right now...

I agree 100% on the PATA issue...no need to swap a usable/decent HDD for a somewhat more efficient one right now..especially if I cannot carry it forward to next purchase or use it on another project.

On the CPU, im a little mixed up...forgive me. You say it wont much noticeable difference yet on higher end browsing(watching streaming video...say a live football game) I think-I may be mistaken- my CPU clocks 100%+ at times.....and while playing Padora in the background of surfing my CPU ~ 19-33% of capacity on the task master..add poker...especially a couple of tables, and I think things can get dicey. So im not 100% sure...

I think the RAM MIGHT take care of the issues by itself...but id like a bit more feedback maybe..iunno.

 

. Vacuum the laptop.
. Get new RAM for a total of 2GB, for performance.
. Get a new PATA HDD, for reliability.
. Do a clean install of Windows XP SP3 on the new drive.
. Re-install your favorite apps.

Wow!

 

zaxx19,

even with your cpu at 100% (it isn't, really), if you aren't dropping frames or otherwise seeing performance degradation, then it doesn't matter that you're at 100% as indicated by the Task Manager.

Try the RAM first, I think you may be pleasantly surprised.

You may also want to try this too:

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6723837-post163.html


Download a trial copy of PerfectDisk 11, set it to Performance Aggressive mode on the SmartPlacement dialogue box, run an online and an offline defrag (they call it 'boot' defrag now) a few times (two or three with the last being an 'online' defrag is enough) with the 2GB RAM installed and your system should fly (comparatively).

Good luck.

 

Thanks guys....

Ive ordered the RAM from Crucial, and hope to see it early next week. Once I pop it in and defrag(err, I did like 2 mos. ago..) ill reassess if I need anything else.

Oh, and im definitely seeing performance degradation....if I use multiple applications...if I play a couple tables of poker(a bigger CPU killer than it should be...FU FTP!) work on emails, and play Pandora sometimes things freeze or even crash...so...iunno.

I guess its best just to get the RAM and see...also have my notebook with me so im going to defrag it using raxco app that was recommended right now...(lunch is going to run a bit late...lolz)

I was only curious about one thing ...do you guys think swapping out the CPUs is hard for someone who isnt all that handy but has replaced a screen before?

Is there a big risk of me messing the comp us? I was assuming it would be pretty simple if I followed a video or instructions online. Do I need to also purchase thermal paste....does it need to be replaced?

 

Hi,

Just have another look into the service manual and judge yourself.
Additionally, try to find out what was the most powerful CPU for this laptop series. That way you can avoid troubles with insufficient cooling or missing Bios support.

Michael

 

Ya, ive got the best CPU options....Dell M 770/780 should be fine. Im pretty sure I have a 725 currently...looked into compatibility, should be fine...

I looked at a video illustrating swapping out a CPU on a newer Inspiron..looked pretty cake...am I missing something. I just wanna make sure I have to buy that thermal paste...wouldnt want to if I dont have to.

Oh man, going to have to find that mini phillips head from the screen replacement too....sometimes being a total disorganized slob can be a drag: )

 

Yes, you need to buy thermal compound when swapping the CPU.

Michael

 

You could just pinmod your 725 to 2.13GHZ instead of spending money on a new chip.
I run a 6000 with a pimodded 725 as a tv/media centre, it has been going strong for the last 3years @2.13GHZ 12-14 hours a day.
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3226&article=pin+mod

 

zaxx19,

I wouldn't base swapping out your specific cpu with a video you saw on a different model.

For the PerfectDisk defrag thing: the reason you want to defrag (offline and online a couple of times) when the new RAM is installed is because when you change the size of your RAM, it will change the size of the pagefile too. Since PD11's offline defrag will move your pagefile to a specific location on your HDD, this will make a difference (so it doesn't matter if you defragged it two months ago...).

Once again, wait to see what the RAM will do for you first.

You did take note that the 760 and 770 are higher TDP components and that their FSB is 533 and not 400 (like your current FSB with your current 1.6GHz cpu is)?

As you seem to be determined to upgrade the cpu - be sure you update to the latest BIOS and firmware for all devices before you switch them - but I still don't recommend it (upgrading the cpu, that is).

All the best.

 

Im definitely not going to replace the CPU now before seeing how it runs with the RAM in it and a disk cleaning.

I am afraid I looked at an overclockers thread for my info on compatibility...ugh.....guess that serves me right for assuming they were right.

Come to think about it im not 100% sure which chip is in my notebook...I know it has a speed of 1.5 Ghz listed when checked in Windows...and thats about all. Im sorry, im not much of an enthusiast... matched the speed up with the possible chips in the series used on this model Inspiron..and just deduced that was the chip...but is there a better way to know?

A good resource to see which chips would be compatible with my motherboard if in fact it is a 725m?

EDIT: Im looking at a chart on Wikipedia...that lists FSB VOLTAGE and TDP....do all these things need to match....the two you referred to....or are there other factors. I apologize for not having much background here...I thought I knew more than I did, which as we all know is more dangerous than not knowing anything to begin with..lol.

With that pin modding....took a look, and it looks interesting as heck, but given there are all these qualifications for which model chips would be a go...and the fact I have little to no idea what half of the stuff we are talking about means...and that im not experienced at taking apart a PC...I think im going to pass.

Thanks for linking it though.

 

Got free overnight delivery on my RAM bc they screwed up my online order and I was forced to call it in...so it should be here by Wed. .....ill pop it in and update you guys on its performance after a wipe with PerfectDisk.

Any comments on how to find out which chips are compatible with mine?

Which numbers should I be looking to match on each chip?

 

You can fit any of the 400 or 533 fsb pentium m chips (7x5 or 7x0)
The inspiron I have came with a 1.5 celeron 370 and ran like a slug before upgrading it to the pinmodded 725, no heat problems either as the pentiums undervolt really well.
Ran it with a 740 for a while but the pinmodded 725 was a bit faster.

 

Can anyone confirm for me I can buy any of the 7x0 or 7x5 line for my Inspiron 6000 that came with a Pentium M chip running at 1. 5 Ghz(I figured out it is probably a Pentium M 715 no 725 as 725 runs at 1. 6Mhz)

If I can buy any chip, id probably just go for a cheap Pent. M 770 and not pin mod anything since I have 0 experience messing with that stuff.

Im really confused...can you mix chips with different FSB>? I thought you could.....how about TDP(I have no real idea what this is other than some represntation of how much heat is dissipated at peak?>?).

Got my RAM coming today supposedly via UPS...so i can make a decision on the chip pretty soon.

Man overnight shipping is amazing....I wish i was filthy rich.

 

Later Inspiron 6000s used the 533FSB CPUs, so your notebook can also use them.

 

RAM is in.....(slipped back for lunch, am messaging on laptop)

Definitely there is some difference here...and the PF usage is sooo low even when loading pages/apps....but I do think upgrading the CPU is going to be a must bc even streaming 720p stuff from You tube with nothing else going on...there is some intermittent choppiness without loading.

What do you guys thing>?

Im thinking of just getting the 770 for like 35-40 bucks....getting a new coating of thermal compound on every contact with the heat sink...vacuuming it all out and seeing if that gets me something serviceable till the end of 12' when I can buy something nice with the new structure at a great price.

Anyone think I shouldn't?

Reasons?

Anyone think I should try pinmodding?

Any thoughts on moving to Windows 7?

Im just happy ive done something to get this baby moving better....im anxious to see how it performs with a new CPU in there.

 

When was the last time you reinstalled your OS? If it's an old install, that can slow down the machine massively.

Windows 7 is unlikely to make much difference. I've dual-booted Win7 and XP on a 2002 Inspiron 8200 (P4 1.7 / 640MB) and there was little to choose between them; both worked really well. Switching to the right linux distro would would speed things up.

I'm not sure if the processor would make that much difference; probably depends on the cost. Don't forget that buying a new laptop with a UXGA screen will cost over $2,000 US.

I'd download Hdtune and CrystalDiskMark and run them. If your hard drive is original it will be pretty slow. The latest 5400rpm drives from Samsung and WD will probably have sequential speeds twice as fast, so there could be an improvement there.

 

To start with you should download cpuz and find out which cpu you actually have, sounds like the celeron if it is running at 100%, no stuttering on my 6000
Any of the 533 fsb chips will also give the graphics a 33% boost from the 400 fsb chips so even the 740 will be a worthwhile upgrade and cost next to nothing compared to a 770/780
As for the pinmod it is as simple as putting the wire between the correct holes in the socket (they are numbered so it is hard to get it wrong)
If it turns out you have a 715 already you don`t need to spend any more money to get to 2GHZ @533fsb

 

Dothan 715 per CPU-Z now...

Checked the HDD via HD Tune: No Damage on the HD...and a decent looking benchmark test....I think like 18ms and 2% CPU usage. Im assuming thats fine.

Going to look over the pin modding post again....a lot of this stuff ive kinda just been posting on the fly, sorry for incorrect information. Im not really considering replacing the HD given these results.

Did a little test on the souped up RAM opening pandora, 2 pokersites w/ 4 tables running, a poker diagnostic, and 2 other websites to simulate my peak usage....and the system performed much better than before. I also got on Youtube and saw how well the system handles 720p HD vids...and it was...ok. Nothing great...but much better although with some choppiness that irks me.
I also tried streaming some HD? from ESPN 3(a little NC game replay action) and the system performed well...but not perfectly when the video quality was at its highest.

I wonder whether CPU upgrade/overclocking has the ability to address this or if its simply a limitation of vid card I got with the system?? GPU?

Anyway, im happy-not ecstatic- by the results I got from the 2MB of RAM I put in, and I think after a couple wipings with Perfect Disk ill make a decision on what to do via the CPU.

 

Pin mod it using this guide:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/not...pin-modding-overclocking-pentium-m-guide.html

If it doesnt work you can always but a faster CPU. The success rate for Pin modding the 715 is very high.