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    Processor Swap

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Dark Dove, Apr 10, 2006.

  1. Dark Dove

    Dark Dove Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello,
    I recently purchased a Dell XPS M140 with a Pentium M 740. I believe that 1.73 Ghz is a bit lackluster, so I feel it necessary to upgrade the processor to something a bit speedier. First of all, which particular Pentium M would you recommend? And how exactly do I do it? Because I know that installing something such as Ram in a notebook is relatively simple, as I have built my own desktop computer, but I've never fiddled around with a notebook processor before. Can someone tell me how to do it with this particular laptop? Or is there a helpsite somewhere?

    Anyone help is appreciated.
     
    Dark Dove, Apr 10, 2006
    #1
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    You'll get a bigger performance boost by upgrading to a faster hard drive and more memory than a CPU upgrade. You'd only notice a difference in the CPUs if you were really pushing it. Internet, Office or burning discs is not pushing it.
     
    ZaZ, Apr 10, 2006
    #2
  3. Jason

    Jason Overclocker NBR Reviewer

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    Yes, I agree. If you don't have already, I would recommend upgrading to a 7200RMP HD, and 1+GB's of RAM. Also, be sure to defrag and to run disk cleanups. Also turn off some of the programs you have running in the background. You can do this through msconfig.
     
    Jason, Apr 10, 2006
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  4. ttupa

    ttupa Tech Elitist NBR Reviewer

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    Maybe if you post some of the things you are doing that you consider "lackluster" performance-wise, we can help pinpoint the proper upgrade.

    Most of the time it is the hard drive speed that makes the biggest difference in application performance, especially from 4200 to 5400 or 7200. However, if you only have 256 or 512 mb of RAM I would probably go with that because it's cheap, and up to a gig is noticeable for most work.
     
    ttupa, Apr 10, 2006
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  5. otaku

    otaku Notebook Deity

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    Also you could consider pinmodding your CPU you could get that 1.7ghz Pentium M to work at 2.2 or so just be careful and follow the instructions. Laptop logic has an article on how to do it.
     
    otaku, Apr 10, 2006
    #5