Upgrading the Processor on my dv7 Notebook

Hi everybody. So, I've decided to upgrade the processor on my dv7, as it's the main weak link on my computer. Currently, I have a T5800 which is a 2.00 ghz Core 2 Duo running on a 800 mhz bus speed chipset. Thing is, I'm not sure what the max processor is that I can upgrade to. I would think it would have to have the same matching bus speed, so that means all the "P-line" processors are out, but what about for the T line? There's a couple that BOTH have 800 mhz bus speed and the same ghz yet different model numbers (T7800, T9500). Anyway, what should I get? Whats the best compatible processor? Thanks

 

anyone? please? If I need to provide more info, I'd be more than willing.

 

Unless you've a specific need to run CPU intensive apps a lot, upgrading to a faster hard drive is money better spent.

Also, no bumps for 24 hours, per the forum rules.

 

It's more concerning gaming. I have pretty adequate specs except for the processor and it really brings performance down. I really would like to upgrade it....

Oh, and sorry about the bump.

 

I don't think I was harmed, so there's no need for an apology. I'm not much of a gaming guru. Usually the most important factor for gaming is the GPU, but I'm sitting on the X1300.

 

Meh, I still think an upgrade on the processor would have some good results. Would really allow me to play more recent games as its only the processor thats holding me back.

Any ideas on what I can upgrade to?

 

You should be able to stick in a T9500-T9600 easily with your PM45 chipset. Might run a bit warmer.

cheers ...

 

not the t9500

 

So a t9600 is better then say the t7800? I don't wanna heat up my laptop TOO bad.

 

your dv7 is based on the montevina platform, the t7800 will not work. get the p8600 imo

 

Are you sure I;m using a montevina platform? I thought those had a bus speed of 1066 mhz when, according to the intel processor website, my t5800 is running at 800. The only other processor with the same bus speed, and mfg tech. is the t5800......

 

anyone? I'm moving to Japan in a few weeks, and would like to take of this ASAP.

 

just because you're running an 800mhz fsb CPU in their now doesn't mean that your chipset can't run a 1066mhz fsb.

I think your running the Montevina platform, as mentioned before.

read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrino#Montevina_platform_.282008.29

as you can see the montevina platform supports "800-1066 MT/s FSB".

 

Thanks for the response! If thats the case, than couldn't I get a top of the line processor like the p9700 (I believe it supports the pm45 chipset)?

 

get the p8600 like i've said. best bang for the buck

 

I appreciate the response, but couldn't I get twice the speed improvement if I get a p9700? Why not get that?

 

Get T9900 as all T series have 35W TDP. Apply thermal paste to new cpu to reduce heat just in case.

 

Ugh, I was just told earlier that the t9900 wouldn't work with my system. Plus, I don't even want to risk overheating it. What about the p9700?

 

Just to make sure, go download CPU-Z, run it, take a screenshot and post it here. Make sure to get screens of both the CPU and Mainboard tabs. That will tell us for sure what chipset you're on, and thus what processors you can use.

 

No Problem.

 

Okay, so you have the PM45. That means you can use any 800 or 1066MHz FSB Socket P processor, either Merom (65nm) or Penryn (45nm). I'm going to do a bit of copy+paste from Commander Wolf's Intel compatibility guide (an excellent guide, btw). All credit goes to him:

Core 2 Duo T5270 1400 2048 800
Core 2 Duo T5470 1600 2048 800
Core 2 Duo T5800 2000 2048 800
Core 2 Duo T5870 2000 2048 800
Core 2 Duo T5900 2200 2048 800
Core 2 Duo T7100 1800 2048 800
Core 2 Duo T7250 2000 2048 800

Merom

Core 2 Duo T7300 2000 4096 800
Core 2 Duo T7500 2200 4096 800
Core 2 Duo T7700 2400 4096 800
Core 2 Duo T7800 2600 4096 800

Penryn-2M

Core 2 Duo T6400 2000 2048 800
Core 2 Duo T6570 2100 2048 800
Core 2 Duo T6600 2200 2048 800

Penryn-3M

Core 2 Duo T8100 2100 3072 800
Core 2 Duo T8300 2400 3072 800

Core 2 Duo P7350 2000 3072 1066
Core 2 Duo P8400 2233 3072 1066
Core 2 Duo P8600 2400 3072 1066
Core 2 Duo P8600 2533 3072 1066

Penryn

Core 2 Duo T9300 2500 6144 800
Core 2 Duo T9500 2600 6144 800

Core 2 Duo T9300 2500 6144 1066
Core 2 Duo T9400 2533 6144 1066
Core 2 Duo T9500 2600 6144 1066
Core 2 Duo T9550 2667 6144 1066
Core 2 Duo T9600 2800 6144 1066
Core 2 Duo T9800 2933 6144 1066
Core 2 Duo T9900 3066 6144 1066

Core 2 Duo P9500 2533 6144 1066
Core 2 Duo P9600 2667 6144 1066

Core 2 Extreme

Merom XE

Core 2 Extreme X7800 2600 4096 800
Core 2 Extreme X7900 2800 4096 800

Penryn XE

Core 2 Extreme X9000 2800 6144 800

Core 2 Extreme X9100 3066 6144 1066

Note: The Core 2 Extreme series are not guaranteed to work, since they draw more power than the Core 2 Duo series, but theoretically should work fine.

 

Awesome. So all of those will work fine? (except maybe the extremes?). Thats good to know. If thats the case, I'll just go for the great boost and get the t9900. It specifically says though under the description, "IF YOUR LAPTOP SUPPORTS P SERIES I.E. P8400 THEN THIS WILL WORK. IF YOUR LAPTOP ONLY SUPPORTS SANTA ROSA PLATFORM I.E. T7500, T9300 THEN THIS WILL NOT WORK", but that doesn't apply to me and it will work fine, right?

 

PM45 = Montevina. Santa Rosa would be PM965.

 

Great, I really appreciate your help. One more quick thing, if you don't mind. I have my eyes set on the p9700, has its a 2.80 ghz processor and it has low thermal design power (28W). It's not listed on Worf's guide, but I assume it's only because the p9700 is rather recent and he hasn't updated the list yet. Just to verify, would the p9700 work fine? For sure?

 

Who told you a t9900 wouldn't work on your system, and why? Im curious. The heat difference between P series CPU's and T series CPU's is almost insignificant, from what I have read in these forums.

 

Sorry, it was the t9500 I was told wouldn't work (page1). But the p9700 runs cooler and is a lot faster, so thats what I have my eye on. That for sure would be fine right? I just want to be absolutely sure before I spend 300 dollars just to fry a processor.

 

The T9500 will work too. It's an 800MHz FSB Penryn Socket P processor.

 

Cool, good to know. So, the p9700 is fine though?

 

LOL just get a T9900. According to intel, it has the same TDP as your old T5800. Apply thermal paste just in case.

 

Thermal paste says to me that theres a risk it can overheat. I don't wanna even risk it. The p9700 runs seven degrees lower! I'd rather just sacrifice the .2 ghz of speed difference and go with the p9700.

BUT, please, can you guys just absolutely clarify that it will work?

 

Hello mr zombie, the T9900 Has the same TDP as T5800 so even if u don't apply thermal paste there should be no problem. If you wanna go and buy a P9700 go ahead. But you won't get the same performance a T9900.

 

Cool. If thats the case, the the t9900 it is. Hope it works!

 

Your current CPU has thermal paste --any good setup does, or at least some thermal-interface material. You don't run a modern system without it.

I personally think you're going to shell big bucks for this P9700 processor, and see modest performance gains compared to a laptop with a better graphics chip, but that's jut my opinion. I wouldn't go higher than a P8600 CPU myself, based on price/performance ratio. The Core 2 Duo T9600 (the fastest I found that NewEgg carries) runs $330. That's a lot of cash for an upgrade, and the P9700, which is difficult (if not impossible) to find will cost more due to its rarity.

 

Yeah, good call. Both the t9900 and the p9700 are a good 200 buxx more than the t9600, which I can get for just about 225. Think thats the one I'm gonna go with. Considering I simply have a t 5800 2.00 ghz processor right now, I think I would see a fair amount of improvement when it comes to game framerate when I upgrade to the t9600, as thats the main reason I'm doing it. Also, I think my current processor has some problems with it anyway, as I have to disable one CPU (through Processor Affinity) to get any games to run without constant random framerate lags. So, I'm pretty much forced to upgrade anyway.

 

Go Ahead. If it's 200 bucks more for just 0.4-0.5 GHz more, it worth going for T9600

 

Stonedzombie...how is it that you have a 9700M GT in your DV7??? or is it a sig typo???

 

Anyone, Stonedzombie or otherwise, have any actual luck doing the swap?

I've got an extra t9600 lieing around, and am considering buying a dv7 with a t6500 (saving some cash) and swapping in the t9600 when i get it. I know it should work, but i remember reading a few years back that HPs can be picky about what cpus they accept, i.e., that if the cpu didn't come from another HP the bios wouldn't allow it.

If anyone's actually done it, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks.