PM45 Chipset vs PM965

I have a problem. Just ordered my Gateway P-173xl FX through tigerdirect. The Chipset is PM965 (800 FSB). On august 14th, the P-7811 comes out with the PM45 chipset (1066 FSB, DDR3 capable, etc). I decided I'm going to try to return my 173 and wait for the 7811.

The 173 has two hard drives, the 7811 only comes with one. My question is, can the PM45 support two hard drives? If so, can I make them Raid-0? And lastly, will it void my warranty to put a second HDD in the 7811 (and maybe apply a little Arctic Silver 5 to the CPU while it's open?) Also, I hear that the PM965 limits the processor FSB to 667 from 800, is this true?

 

I am guessing that the upcoming laptop will not be able to hold two drives.

Also, the PM965 limits the processor to 800 and the RAM to 667.

 

If the PM965 limits the ram to lower than its FSB of 800, do you think the PM45 will limit the DDR3 ram to less than its FSB of 1066. (I'm asking because the P-7811 from gateway includes a chipset with 1066 and ram with 1066).

Also, what are the factors deciding whether or not a second HDD can be put in, isn't it only the chipset that decides it? I've tried to lookup the PM45 specs to see if it supports two HDD's but have had no luck in finding out.

 

I don't see why the PM45 wouldn't be able to support two hard drives - if it doesn't, that would be a mid-size step backwards.
I think that Greg meant to refer as to the case of the upcoming Gateway not having the physical space to have the second drive.

 

It is not the chipset that determines hardware RAID but a RAID controller that can be implemented in many ways. On a notebook I think you will see it built into the MoBo but is not the chipset. Ergo you will not find in chipset specs. Have a read, link.

 

power pack has it correct. It does not have to do with the main chipset. The gateway p-173 laptops you are looking at uses an intel based software raid controller. This runs independently of the main chipset. The software raid controller is built into the Bios, so that two harddrives can be used in an array.
The new laptop you are looking at has only one harddrive bay, and one sata port for that harddrive built into the board. Their is no way you can run two sata harddrives unless you get an optical drive to sata converter drive bay. Even then, you will not be able to raid them, because the bios of the 7811 is designed to recognize one harddrive. Therefore it does not have raid compatibility because you need two or more harddrives to have a raid installation. That means their is no raid manager.
Dont get me wrong, you can install two harddrives, but you cannot put them in raid.

You do not need to take the entire system apart to swap harddrives. You will simply have to open a plastic panel and swap harddrives. You would have to take most of the system apart to swap the processor TIM (TIM = thermal paste) - unless the 7811 has a similar design tyo the 6860, which has the cpu under a conveniently located panel, for easy access.
Putting paste on a cpu doesnt void the warranty unless you blatently state to the people at gateway that you did. Most laptop manufacturer's use decent paste, so the benefit of applying arctic silver is only going to be in your head. Undervolting is a much better alternative for decreasing thermal temerature.

K-TRON

 

I'm guessing it should hold 2 HDDs, as the older models always had the space, and the new model doesn't look any different. (Same generic photo used. Same size/weight)

 

Why wait? The FSB has little effect and DDR3 prices are still pretty expensive. At this point, I would just stick with the 173.

 

Yeah but the DDR3 is included... so for the wait you get a slightly faster comp and save about $150... why not wait?

 

Where are you getting the pricing info?

 

I think we're talking about two different 173's (an extremely common mistake on these forums). I'm talking about the P-173xl fx. You're talking about the P-173x fx, am I right?

The 173xl fx is 1629 at tigerdirect
The 7811 is 1459 at best buy (and might be on sale in the first week I hear?)

 

I purchased the P7811 FX on Friday. Love it. Faster than any of my desktops.
I successfully installed a second hard drive and replaced the first with two 300g 7200 seagates. Works great!! No raid but I will back up my photography to the second drive in case of failure. This is the first Gateway product i have purchased since '96. I swore off due to quality and support.

This is a great machine.