Q's Regarding Upgrading Laptop for 3D Modeling / Rendering

(Note: This is my secondary laptop which I use in class and when my desktop is rendering images. I am not considering spending money on a new laptop. I want this one to perform better in modeling / graphic programs with a budget of ~$200.)

I have a Sony FZ (T7100 processor, PM965 chipset, 3GB RAM, 500GB SATA mechanical HD, 32-bit Windows 7) which I would like to upgrade for programs including Rhino 4 & 5, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign.

After reading threads relevant to my laptop, what I understand is:
- I can't upgrade the GPU
- the best CPU I can buy is an X9000 (~$180 new retail version)
- Sony's BIOS is locked, so I can't overclock the CPU

Q1: Will my laptop run 3D modeling programs (complex geometry) significantly better with a X9000?

Q2: Would an SSD purchase benefit me more in 3D modeling? If so, in what way (besides accessing files quicker)?


Thanks in advance!

 

q1 some IF Sony's bios will take it, assuming yes I estimate 30% faster, now problem 1 the existing cpu is a 35watt TDP part, the x9000 is a 45 can that unit take the extra heat and power draw and stay stable. ( I never had good luck with heat on Sony's or Macs.

Q2 doing actual renders no. depending on your app CPU and GPU make the largest differences, the apps you listed CPU and RAM is the biggest factor

how many background apps/overhead of apps makes a difference as well, something like norton 360 or mcafee will make illustrator/photoshop crawl in some cases

 

Why not go for a T9500 or T9300 it will be significantly cheaper and more likely to work and should run as cool if not cooler than your T7100, you would also be able to upgrade the ram to 4gb for the price difference

endit: just noticed you're running 32 bit although this coould easily be upgraded to 64 bit , oh and an ssd my benefit slightly in rendering but the main difference you will notice is the difference in overall system speed. I upgraded to an OCZ agility 3 drive (yes they dont have the best reliability record but it was too cheap to pass up and its been fine so far) and even though im running on sata 2 like you would and my bios has no option to take it out of ide mode so im running in that too and its still very fast.

 

Thanks for the reply! The temp is definitely be something I would be worried about. I'm guessing arctic silver paste and frequent cleaning wouldn't be enough if heat were a problem.

I can already feel the limits of the GPU when I spin a model in 3D :/ I'm hoping it won't hold me back too much if I upgrade the CPU.

Thanks for the reply! I considered the T9500 as well; I didn't realize the price difference could get me a new ram chip I think a 64-bit os would also help for the programs I use.