Upgrade the laptop or buy a new one?

I have an old Compaq Presario C700 and I would really like to see my sister take that instead of having her and my dad buy a new laptop (combined early birthday/Christmas present for this year). The thing is I'm not sure if I can upgrade this guy to be a decent competitor to whatever new $600-700 laptop she wants.

Current specs:

OS: Windows Vista Home Basic (32-bit)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100, 2.1GHz (upgraded from the P.O.S. it came with)
RAM: 3GB DDR2
HDD: 80GB SATA (transferred all the info I wanted to my desktop - was going to toss this one, anyway)
GPU: Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset Family (BIG issue - don't actually know how bad this integrated chip is and how much it will hold back performance)

What I would like to upgrade it to have:

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit)
CPU: Something in the T9000 series (probably a T9600)
RAM: Will probably stick with the 3GB of DDR2, but one stick of 4GB DDR3 is an option
HDD: 180GB SSD (figure the boost would be well needed)
GPU: Stuck with the GM965 chipset


Figure this would cost my dad/sister roughly $400 instead of shelling out $650 or $700 after tax. SO! My questions...

1) I can upgrade to any T8xxx or T9xxx CPU, but I read that "the mainboard accepts 800 MHz FSB (800/533/667)." I believe the T9600 has a 1066MHz FSB. Does this mean the motherboard will not utilize this CPU as well as it could be? Essentially, should I only buy a CPU with a maximum FSB speed of 800MHz (the T95000)?

2) (Essentially a mega-question) Will all the newer components play nice with each other? A T9500, DDR2 RAM, Windows 7, and an SSD? Any reason to suspect a conflict between anything (ESPECIALLY the integrated graphics card)? This WILL NOT be used for any type of gaming***

I'm really trying to help an already financially troubled family so any assistance would be highly appreciated. And yes, I see the stupidity in my sister NOT taking up my offer and my parents NOT forcing the issue. What's a guy to do...

 

If you've already got the T8100, I don't see the getting a T9x00 CPU making much of a difference. Getting a SSD is far more likely to make things seem more speedy. It's the best upgrade you can for an older notebook.

I'm sure the GPU is pretty weak given that it's five years old, but if all you're doing is office and internet type stuff, it'll do quite nicely.

 

Yea, the only reason I wanted to upgrade the CPU was to make up for the GPU's lack of power. Obviously, they focus on different tasks, but I thought about overall performance. If my sister does choose the upgrade path, though, I can always swap CPUs for her later down the road.

Also, the most she'll be doing is watching Youtube videos, Microsoft Word documents, and using iTunes. Like I said, I just had no idea how weak the GPU was so I assumed worst case

And this could be the first time I see an SSD in action! Thanks for the assistance, ZaZ.

 

You can't put DDR3 into a computer that uses DDR2.

My recommendation is to sell the laptop on Ebay for $200, and then buy a new $600 computer that is a lot better than anything you could get by upgrading the old laptop.

 

My suggestion, out with the old and in with the new!

Like this here:
HP Pavilion 14" Laptop - 4GB DDR3 Memory - 500GB Hard Drive - Windows 8 64-bit - A6-4400M dual-core APU - Radeon 7520G - 1YR Limited Warranty - $350

This is relatively cheap and will spank that old machine even after those upgrades, its got great integrated graphics compared to that old machine and battery life as well as heat production are going to be superior. The hard drive is huge, the memory is faster, the graphics are faster and the CPU will be more than enough for most user tasks. If she absolutely needed more performance, you could even upgrade this one further at a later time by going with a quad-core A10-4600M (integrated Radeon 7660G), dual-channel 8-16GB DDR3-1600 RAM, and a Samsung 840 256GB SSD. But, the way it comes from the factory is still a huge upgrade from that old Compaq and I'm positive she would like it anyways.
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Here's another good example, except this one ships with a quad-core and is 15.6" (the most common and most sold notebook size):
ASUS K55 Series K55N-BA8094C Notebook AMD A-Series A8-4500M(1.90GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi AMD Radeon HD 7640G $375

If you're in the market for an inexpensive laptop that has decent GPU performance and good overall performance, then here's a good laptop. It's refurbished, but comes with 90 day warranty.

AMD A8-4500m 1.9GHz (Trinity)
4GB RAM DDR3 (1600MHz, 1 RAM stick I'm assuming)
500GB HDD 5400RPM
DVDRW
1366x768 15.6" LCD
WiFi N, Gigabit Ethernet
2xUSB 3.0, 1xUSB 2.0, HDMI, VGA, Headphone/Mic jacks, card reader
6 cell battery
5.25lbs
Asus spec page: Asus K55 Series
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How much would it cost you to upgrade the current notebook? Is it really worth it or would that money be better invested in a newer entry-level machine that will still spank that old one?

Also, I'm sure your sister would much rather like a brand new shinny "thin and light" modern notebook versus an old, severely outdated one. If it was my sister and my situation, I'd ditch that old machine and buy her something just like this. And yes, with an AMD Trinity or Llano APU because of its 3D performance and price.

 

The only viable higher performing CPU you could upgrade to would be a T9300 (2.5GhZ Core2Duo - 800MhZ FSB).

The major differences between the T8100 and T9300 are 400MhZ difference (for each core), and the 6MB cache on the T9300 (which I think provides about 5% to 10% increase in clock per clock speed).

Strictly speaking, the CPU upgrade is not needed unless your sister will be doing some CPU intensive tasks with the machine at hand... it costs up to $50 on ebay... so the decision in yours on that one.

If you currently have 3GB of RAM, you might want to consider upgrading to 4GB and putting Windows7 Home Premium x64 on it for proper RAM utilization (and better security) - though strictly speaking, 1GB extra will not be really 'felt' - but it should provide a good leeway for RAM intensive usages (and seeing how many things love to eat RAM, the more the better... besides, getting 2GB DDR2 so-dimm stick shouldn't be expensive).

As for the SSD... you might as well get a decent 120GB one... I don't think 180GB is needed, but you could use the CADDY in place of the optical drive bay and put the existing HDD in it (or a larger capacity one).

All in all, RAM aside, you could upgrade the laptop with an SSD and then look into doing the CPU and RAM.
If you can sell the 1GB RAM and the T8100 cpu, you can offset the expenses a bit.

As for potential conflicts... I don't see anything of the kind arising in the first place (unless you get defective hardware).

If you go by e-bay pricing alone:
CPU: T9300 = $50
RAM: 2GB So-dimm DDR2 800Mhz = $22.88
SSD: Corsair Force series F120 120GB = $88

$161 total for all upgrades... but I think you can shave off up to $25 by selling those 1GB ram stick and T8100 cpu (so you're looking at about $136.

 

Well it comes down to this is that the laptop she wants to take with her or was that your choice? I haven't heard what her choice is at this point in time? Maybe we need her input besides just yours to get a better handle as whom will have to live with the laptop choice they make. So let's hear what she has to say and what her plans are????

 

I think the most ideal solution would be to sell the laptop, hopefully for said price point, then purchase a new laptop (for around also said price), and use the $ you made from the Presario to purchase a SSD for the new system. If you invest in the Compaq, the only marginal performance boost will come from the SSD. If you don't upgrade anything in a new laptop, for that $600 spent, you can get something with an i-series CPU and DDR3 memory, along with components without wear and tear.

I don't have synthetic tests or benchmarks to show you which of the latter two options would yield you better performance, but it's safe to say that using the $ you might make from selling the Presario can get you a decent SSD for a new laptop, which would be ideal, rather than compromising something with the other two options.

 

yeah I agree with the above poster ... if I was your sister I rather have new computer than a old laptop from 5 years ago. heck I would buy a refurbished computer from last year, than 5 year old model. Maybe a desktop you could get a way with it but not a laptop.

HP Pavilion 14" Laptop 4GB Memory 500GB Hard Drive g4-2320dx - Best Buy

I just bought this similar HP computer last Nov. I have the same inside computer part but different outside. I bought it from walmart and it was only 400 dollars. Really a great computer. So you can find a great computer for under 500 dollars. Laptop are getting cheaper and cheaper these days. here's the refurbished model that I have... the one I bought was new.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-Refurb...Processor-and-Windows-7-Home-Premium/21567907

Newegg.com - Refurbished: ASUS K55 Series K55N-BA8094C Notebook AMD A-Series A8-4500M(1.90GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi AMD Radeon HD 7640G
also nice computer.

The finale thing is , what does your sister want ?

 

You're totally right. I took complete control over what laptop my sister will use for the next few years.

I take my sister's opinion into every decision I make with this. Granted, she doesn't provide me with much because all she said was "I want a new laptop." Not a whole lot to build off of, but I worked with her. My dad AND my sister asked me first before buying because they had a budget and even then I don't claim to know everything. That's why I like these forums so much and I appreciate all the help (minus comments like these).

 

I would get a nice SSD for that laptop and forget the other upgrades.
PS: ZaZ has already said that, so excuse me.

 

I would say SSD.

 

New laptop. Hands down. Consider davidricardo86 suggestions. Not worth spending $400 on old tech when you can but a whole new laptop for the same price that will spank it.

Sent from my YP-G70 using Tapatalk 2

 

Eldest sister: Gets a new laptop. Will have her look at all suggestions posted plus what I found. Thanks for the help in that department, guys.
Middle sister: Gets nothing because her money is well spent on concert and Blackhawks tickets
Youngest sister: Gets my old C700 with (at the very least) an SSD upgrade as her laptop just pooped out on her this morning. It's been a hectic week for laptops in this apartment, lol.

At least everything worked out rather nicely and will be easy on the wallet. Once again, thanks for all the help on this one. Highly appreciated

 

Forgive my bad english.
if you're still interested in upgrading the C700:

1.- Processor: T9300 2.5Ghz skt-P (25-45usd ebay; less expensive than t9500 2.6Ghz those two t9xxx have the same specs only 0.1Ghz difference) and install CPUgenie 1.5 (x86 or x64 not free program) undervolt to 0.987V all FID except SuperLFM that goes to 0.9V, doing that, makes run the notebook cooler (idle:35°C - max:55°C ~ at a room temperature around 23°C) [T9600 no boot on a GM965 chipset]

Note: some C700 don't detect or have the full ACPI-P States for C2D T9xxx series, causing the processor only works at 2.4Ghz (with overheating problems), a solution is install CPUGenie, that program manage the ACPI-P States via software.

2.- RAM: max. 3Gb (that you already have) 4Gb (no boot).

3.- To install W7(all versions) need a BIOS upgrade (mood), google it "HP G7000_Compaq_C700_A900_sp48079_SLIC21_no_whitelist.zip" (that mooded BIOS allows install Windows 7 Ultimate ~write a table SLIC 2.0 to 2.1~ plus allow change the WiFi card for a better one).

4.- SSD if want a faster boot; or a hybrid HDD like the Seagate Momentus XT 500Gb 2.5" works great (almost like a SSD) (looks like the 750Gb versión works, but I not tested that).

With the above configuration, the notebook performance increases and becomes a nice and decent multimedia center (capable of playing 1080p mp4,mkv video files up to 12Gb ~with floating subs if needed~ on a external monitor or FullHD TV, clearly is not a gaming notebook). And runs very well programs like adobe photoshop, Acad 2012-2014, Sony Vegas, Photomodeler, Stellarium, etc.

I hope this will be helpful, greetings from México.