Vostro 1400 - latest BIOS (A09) and CPUs supported

I'm considering upgrading my Vostro 1400's CPU, but I'm getting conflicting reports as to the processors it supports.

I want to upgrade to a T9500, but this Dell link describes it as not being possible, which doesn't agree with pretty much everything else I've found on the Net.

Can anyone confirm whether or not the Vostro 1400 with BIOS version A09 can support a T9500? Or is the link provided above correct?

 

Vostro 1400 is 965 chipset laptop, it should support all 800 FSB Core 2 Duo Penryn chips, as well as the Extreme variants, though I wouldn't advise it as the cooling system isn't great on the Vostro 1400.

 

I'm definitely not going with the X9000, if that's what you're referring to.

As for heat generated by the T9500 (Penryn): its maximum TDP rating is 35W, which is identical to the T5470 I currently have. Doesn't that mean it runs at pretty much the same temperature as the T5470, despite running a full 1 GHz faster? If so, I assume this is due in part to the smaller lithography process it uses.

 

TDP is a tricky figure, it doesn't refer to heat output. Sure theoretically it should be the same, but the T9500 is top dog non extreme CPU for 800 FSB Core 2, so it will run hotter for sure. You may want to consider undervolting with RMClock as it is the last generation chipset that fully supports it.

 

What sort of temps would you expect to see with the T9500?

The hottest this T5470 ever runs is around the high 60s (° C).

Do you mean the 965 chipset is the oldest Intel chipset that supports the T9500? Meaning it doesn't support it "as well" as the newer chipsets?

I always thought support is binary in nature, especially with computers (either something is supported, or it isn't).

 

You can get a T9300 for a little of nothing now, that will run cooler and run just as fast as the T9500.

 

It's a 100 MHz difference. I don't think that's noteworthy as far as heat goes. Also: both CPUs are rated at 35W max TDP.

If I'm going to upgrade, I'm going to go all out and maximize the gains. Hence the T9500. I'm not too concerned for value for money, otherwise I'd be saving for a new laptop rather than upgrading an older one with old parts.

 

You can't always go by TDP , I was more or less referring to the price, considering it is only 100Mhz difference.

I was looking for a T7600 on ebay and noticed a T9300 costing only 35 bucks!

 

You should generally go by the voltage, not sure if they have different voltage or not but I think ark.intel has that info?

Hey don't confuse the guy. t7600 is socket M for 945 chipset. If only there were a pinmod to run a t9300 on socket m...

 

I think you're the one that got confused?

I said I was looking for a T7600 and noticed how cheap the T9300's were, there was no mention of me telling him to get a T7600.

But yes...I wish I could use a T9300 in my old computer, as it would be faster and cheaper than the T7600 I'm after.

Enough about me T9300 FTW!

 

The T9300 and T9500 will work on the Vostro 1400. If your laptop is equipped with the nVidia GO8400M GPU you should consider doing a 'copper mod'. The one in my previous Vostro 1400 laptop failed but I was lucky enough to have Dell replace the motherboard for me free of charge.