Upgrading Toshiba x205-s9349, do I have the right parts?

Hey guys, it's been a long time, probably some two years or so ... did say I was going to upgrade my laptop before, but never got around to it. I was going out to go build a custom tower, too. However, I don't feel it would be money well spent since I am still in school and whatnot.

At this point in time, then, I feel like I really should upgrade my laptop now since it's been a while and price has probably dropped a bit on a couple pieces. Here's the loadout for my laptop, stock:



These are the pieces I was hoping to upgrade my laptop with, according to some users way back when:

2x2GB Memory

2x320 GB 7200 RPM hard drives

Intel® Core™2 Extreme Mobile Processor X9000 TOP OEM

And either one of these two batteries since this one is dying pretty quickly:

New Battery For Toshiba Satellite X205-S7483 X205-S9349 - eBay (item 270621500440 end time Sep-11-10 19:33:11 PDT)

Laptop Battery for Toshiba SATELLITE X205-S9349 9 Cell - eBay (item 190399611331 end time Aug-22-10 14:53:56 PDT)

From what some users say, I'd have to upgrade my OS as well for the processor to be compatible with the laptop. I'd assume getting Windows 7 Home Premium would be my best choice (and that also means that my backup drives will have to be thrown out the window), but that's besides the point.

All in all I just want to know, before I go ahead and spend the money for these parts, do I have the right parts listed? Or, perhaps, has there since been anything better that can fit into a Toshiba X205-S9349?

And, as a side, does anyone know if there is a blu-ray internal drive available for this old laptop?

Thanks in advance, everyone. You were helpful then, and I hope you're as helpful now.

 

Yes,those parts will work.

 

u can also upgrade 1 hard disk to a solid state drive. if u updated the bios to version 2.50, then u can install 8GB of ram (not necessary unless ur running a program thats requires a lot of memory). also when u install 64 bit windows, there is a problem with the audio driver, it seems that the subwoofer does not work and only 2 of 4 speakers work.

 

Is that with Windows 7 or the 64-bit Vista? Because I've heard nothing but bad news with the 64-bit Vista so I'm planning to completely skip it. Besides, Windows 7 goes for 100 easy on Newegg so it's that much of a dent to upgrade past it.

One thing I forgot to ask, though, now that you bring up the audio - because my drivers CD won't work any longer after I install the new processor, do I risk losing any hardware/ software compatibility with Windows 7, or are there additional drivers available? (Say, the SanDisk reader, wireless Internet card, or the Bluetooth?)

 

I would caution against upgrading that notebook. The parts you listed total a few hundred dollars and for a bit more, you could get a new notebook which will be under warranty and likely be faster as well.

Something else to consider - your notebook uses a GeForce 8700M GT graphics card; I believe it has the G84 core. Nvidia conceded that series of cards was defective and every one would fail eventually because of the solder cracking. It is only a matter of time until your graphics card fails . . .

 

Really? How long does it usually take for the card to fail? Longer than 2 years I take it, since that's how long I had this notebook for...

If you suggest against upgrading then, what notebook should I get for about the same price - some $1000+?

 

Some fail with in a few months some fail in a few years. Ya can't tell.

 

the problem only happens with a 64 bit OS (vista and 7). there just isnt a proper driver for the audio.

u will find all drivers and most of the software from the toshiba support website

Model Content Page

 

Well it's really either this or invest in a custom tower. I have another notebook planned - a smaller one - that would be solely for work (Word, Excel, and so on), and I was going to recycle this two year old since it's on its last leg. I had the idea for a custom tower in the works for a long while now, even though I still don't really know how to go about it. But, because I feared I might not be spending my money wisely, I figured I'd upgrade this one. Seems kind of silly to have two notebooks though - why use a smalltime notebook when a more powerful one can do that and then some, and still be as portable?