Possible Dell Inspiron 1545 CPU Upgrade -- Opinions???

Hi, I'm thinking of upgrading my Inspiron 1545's dual core T4500 2.30 GHz CPU to a Core 2 Duo T9600 2.80 GHz one. My main uses for this system is running 1-2 virtual desktops with citrix (with about 5-8 windows/systems running at the same time for work); some MS Word; listening and watching YouTube videos; watching movies; listening to music; and web browsing. My husband and I are on a tight budget, so I will not be upgrading to a better desktop system for another 3 years or so. Is this CPU upgrade worth it?

My current specs are:

Processor: Pentium Dual Core T4500 2.30 GHz
RAM: 8GB
OS Version: Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium SP1
BIOS: A14
Display: Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family

Thanks for your time...

 

You can use a T9600 in the 1545. RAM is generally more important for VMs, but since you already have 8GB, the CPU upgrade might be worthwhile. You should definitely consider an SSD too if you don't have one already.

 

Be sure to use ThrottleStop on the T9600 to unlock a little extra juice out of it. SSD helps a ton too!

 

The processor upgrade may be worth it to achieve up to 29% better performance, but even more important for your specific uses - the newer CPU includes VT-x (Intel Virtualization Technology) which may prove to give even more benefits for your use.

See:
ARK | Compare Intel® Products


See (PM score: 1543):
PassMark - Pentium Dual-Core T4500 @ 2.30GHz - Price performance comparison

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Without knowing the total cost of the CPU upgrade it is hard to say if it is 'worth it' and I truly appreciate being under a strict budget. Also, the suggestion for an SSD may also be worth considering (I'm pretty sure your system is maxed out, RAM-wise...) if your capacity requirements are low and all you really need is a more responsive system (vs. a truly more powerful one).

Consider carefully whether spending this money (for the cpu and/or the SSD) now will truly last you (compute-wise) for another three years or if it may be more prudent to save (beginning now) for a platform upgrade that will give you a doubling or quadrupling of performance immediately (200-400% faster vs. 29% faster...) while also giving you the option to go to 16GB RAM or more (which will give your VM's a huge performance boost by itself). Remember also to add what you're able to sell your current system for into your new purchase...

If the cpu 'upgrade' is less than about $30 and you or your husband is able to (reliably) do the swap yourself; go for it.

If simply more system responsiveness is your goal and an SSD is available for around $150 for a 240GB model (I'm specifically thinking of a Sandisk Extreme SSD here...) and you're able to live with it partitioned to a maximum of 150GB (leave the rest unallocated to ensure the performance doesn't drop to below HDD levels...) then that might be an option too at this time given a strict budget.

Do note though that an SSD will not make your system faster: the O/S (and your VM's) may be more 'snappy', but the cpu/RAM combo is what gives a system real 'performance'.


I think I gave you enough above to think about for awhile?

To put things a little more in perspective for you;

Upgrading both the CPU and the storage subsystem to a Sandisk Extreme SSD as indicated will cost just under $200 and give you a much more responsive system vs. what you currently have, but ultimately the compute HP will still be around the 30% improvement mark. (You will notice a substantial performance boost with regards to: the system starting up, shutting down and launch programs and your VM's faster - but depending on what you're doing inside those VM's - that will still be stuck to that 30% improvement range)

The following system can be regularly had for around $600 and offers a real performance increase of 439% vs. your current setup (you will need to add another 4GB RAM stick to match the 8GB you have now (~$20) - but know you can upgrade this system to 16GB for around another $85 or less and have a 4GB module to sell against it too).

See:
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See:
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Depending on the money received from selling your current system, this level of performance may be achieved for much less than you might otherwise have thought?

Not suggesting one course of action over another: as a matter of fact, you now have more information than we do - but I hope these additional data points help you make the best decision not only for your current situation, but also for the long term as well.

Good luck.

 

Thank you again for all your replies! I'll go ahead with the CPU and SSD upgrade for now and start saving up for a high-end gaming desktop/tower to buy in about 3 or so years (wouldn't be in a tight budget by then lol)....

 

I can conform a T9550 does not work in a dell 1545 wiht A14 bios.

 

I do know a T9300 or T9500 would work fine in a 1525 of the same model line a newer model. I do know the 1525 was the newer model to replace the 1545 but I don't recall trying a T9600 in the 1525. I think putting a T9600 will cost more so you need to weigh the cost and benefit before making the upgrade as well.

Here's another take from Dell community site. This sounds almost like the OP is asking for as well.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19491807.aspx

hmm...didn't noticed but a resurrected thread....hm...but this should help inform others thinking of upgrading their 1545....from 2012.....

 

T9600 is 1066 FSB Core 2 Duo and if it POSTs in a 1525, it won't operate at the right frequency.

 

Then one needs a pinmod or a T9300/9500 which are more expensive than the T9600...

 

I've seen some Santa Rosa laptops accept Montevina 1066 FSB Core 2 Duo's, but the FSB only runs at 800, so the CPU was gimped.

 

That's why I mentioned the pinmod.

I've never done one myself on these machines, though.

 

Your processor must have been faulty, because it is 100% compatible. Do a Google search and you can find plenty of examples. It has been a while since I sold 1545's, but if I remember correctly it goes like this: Any 667, 800, or 1066Mhz FSB socket P Core 2 Duo, Celeron, or Pentium will work. The quads, extremes, and 533Mhz FSB processors don't.

You have that backwards. The 1545 came after the 1525. Anything that would work in a 1525 would work in a 1545 except for 533Mhz FSB processors.

What pin mod are you referring to? If you pin mod the FSB on a Penryn, wouldn't that lock the multiplier to its lowest setting? Or was that just on 1066Mhz-capable chipsets?

 

Newer Dells will complain about lower FSB Core 2 Duo's, happened in my E6400 when I put in a T5470.

 

The answer to your question(s) depends on several things, one of them being the manufacturer of the laptop in question, another one being the BIOS.

Generally speaking, no, a pinmod will not lock the multiplier to the lowest setting. However, a pinmod by itself might not be enough on some systems, see here:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=110620

On other machines - as seen in that long pinmodding thread - it will work pretty much "out of the box"...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...pll-pinmod-overclocking-methods-examples.html

 

Ok, I see we were talking about different things. The way you linked to is a lot more involved but the only way to go in many cases than the simple BSEL pin mod I was thinking about.

 

there is a really good post about how to upgrade a cpu laptop on a Dell 1545 with a very detailed explanation about how to choose the right cpu and how to actually do it. i hope it will help - Upgrading a Dell Inspiron 1545 cpu - Laptop Hardware - Ben's Hardware Blog

thanks

 

1545 can take up to T9900. Even the X9100 is working, but it overheats quickly. Both cpu's were tested in the HD Mobility 4330 version with stock biosand stock PSU.

 

An E0 stepping X9100 shouldn't overheat at stock speeds (it is identical to a T9900), although the older C0 steppings are more common and cheaper.

 

It was an early C0 ES. Not really overheated but it was at the thermal limit of the cooling system.