Which processor for my Dell studio 1555?

I currently have a Core 2 Duo T8300 2.4 GHz 3mb CPU in my Studio 1555 and fancy an upgrade.

Was going to go for the T9900 (3.06 GHz, 6mb cache), but have noticed that I could get a Core 2 Quad mobile on ebay for not a lot more. Some of these have 12mb cache

I am old enough to remember hard disks with smaller capacities than that. I could run two copies of Windows 3.1 from the on-die cache, now that really is progress

The only fly in the ointment is that the TDP rating is higher on the quads - 44w versus 35w for the Duo's. So the question I'm asking myself is - will my laptop be able to cope with the extra heat?

Any thoughts?

 

What chipset do you have? If it's PM/GM965, then you can't use 1066MHz FSB CPUs (including quad cores). If you have the PM/GM45, you can do a dual core, but most likely quad core will not be supported (due to lack of support via BIOS). What do you use your notebook for that requires a better processor?

 

I dont think that the cooling system can handle the heat and plus ur mobo wont recognized the CPU.

 

I think the Studio 1555 has the GM45 chipset.

I definitely agree that there will be compatibility issues with a Quad.

 

The heatsink might not properly cover the two large cores anyway. On Ebay the Q9000 is going for a lot cheaper than the T9900. If it could fit under the heatsink, then I would go for it. Undervolting the Q9000 will lower its power consumption. Also the QX9300 falls under the same 45w TDP category, and we know that is going to use a lot more power than the Q9000, so when undervolted, the Q9000 is sure to fit in the 35w design "limits" that your laptop must be rated for.

 

Thanks for the replies, chaps.

Yeah, this has the PM45 chipset. Shame about the quads not working properly, eh?

As for what I do with my laptop, I play games, go on the net, that sort of thing... I guess the T9900 is where it's at then, if I want the best that will work without problems?

 

You don't need a better processor for most games or surfing... what games do you play? Do you edit videos?

 

Bejewelled 2 Deluxe is my favourite game at the moment. Like a bit of half-life as well at times.

I don't really have any performance issues, it's alreay a pretty fast laptop but I'm greedy and fancy a bit more punch

 

The t9900 isn't going to work either, the x9000 is the end of the line for your chipset and since overclocking probably isn't BIOS supported not much of an upgrade. Is 400mhz worth the upgrade?

 

Are you sure the T9900 won't work? The studio 1555 is for sale on ebay with that exact processor...

 

Well if u get a studio XPS 16 , it might work... studio 1555 sucks...

 

Is that a refreshed 1555? Usually 800mhz processors are not interchangeable with 1066mhz models.

 

It will placebo. Your laptop won't run faster because the CPU is not the bottleneck.

If you buy a fast SSD like the Intel you will notice it.

 

Yea much past 2.0Ghz, there really is not a noticeable difference in gaming, surfing, or anything; editing and converting and some work programs will eat up the extra CPU power but that's about it.

 

Says the man with an i7 lol

Well I might just go and get a processor upgrade AND an SSD. I know for sure that the laptop can take 1066mhz effective FSB processors (PM45 chipset) and Dell even sell them with processors with that FSB as an option.

So, what should I look for in an SSD?

Thanks everyone

 

Haha wait til I have my after-market cooler, things will get insane.

I would honestly stick to Intel right now for SSDs, I dont really follow them too much, but they are the best performing, and have decent storage sizes. They are expensive per GB, but it will be the single most effective upgrade made to your system.

 

Yeah Intel is the way to go for SSDs if you have the money.

If you're on a budget some indilinx SSDs can offer more value for money.

 

The Studio 1555 does not suck. Care to explain your opinion?

The Studio 1555 has the PM/GM45 chipset, which can accept 800 and 1066MHz FSB processors, including the T9900. However, if you already have a T8300 at 2.4GHz, that's plenty.

Quad cores will NOT work, not because of chipset/socket incompatibility (the Core 2 Quads are indeed Socket P and have an FSB of 1066MHz), but the fact that Dell does not offer quad-core processors with this model, and so the BIOS does not recognize them.

So, get a T9900 if you really think you need to, and it will work just fine. I would just save the money and spend it on something more worthwhile, though. For the price of a T9900 processor, you can easily buy a nice netbook or a PS3 or something.

 

Thanks for the comments

How do I give reps on here?

I already have a couple of laptops that I take out on the road and don't have a desktop at all. So the 1555 will be the laptop that gets spoilt, the one I want to make the best it can be.

 

By clicking the sign underneath the user name, it looks like a snowflake or smoke. If you hover over it it says "Add to [username]'s repuation".

More information about the rep system: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=115516

 

Thanks, have repped a few people but I've hit my limit, so for anyone I haven't repped, please don't be offended

 

LoL, Phil. Isn't it a scale?

 

I was just thinking that. It doesn't look like a snowflake or smoke at all.

 

When you're on that 13" 1080p screen it is hard to tell.

 

I knew it was something else, guess you're right.

Ah now you've told me, I can see it.

 

Well studio can't compare to XPS 16 or even my old.... Hp pavilion Dv5.... which is old....

 

Once again...care to explain?

Apart from a few minor differences like DDR3 memory and a better graphics card, there is not much difference at all between the Studio 15 and Studio XPS 16.

 

Well there's a load of a diff... there in 2 different leagues... on a studio XPS if u want to have the best stuff u can have it... but not a studio 15 , which is more of a budget laptop..

 

You can have pretty much whatever you want on a Studio 15. Blu-Ray, 1080p LED display, high end C2D processors, 256MB or 512MB ATi 4570 graphics, backlit keyboard, integrated subwoofer...the only things the Studio XPS 16 really has over the Studio 15 are the RGB-LED display option, the slightly more powerful ATi 4670 1GB, DDR3 memory, and the fact that the backlit keyboard is standard rather than optional.

Oh, and leather trim.

Give me a break, they're made for the same purpose, the Studio XPS is just a more "deluxe" package. Also, the Studio series is not the budget line; that's the Inspiron series.

 

LOL 4670 is like 4-5 times more powerful than 4570... and yes insipiron and studio have little or no diff.... all budget... Studio XPS is something of mainstream....

 

ATI 4570 scores around 4000 3dmarks06.
ATI 4670 scores around 7000 3dmarks06.

(Notebookjournal.de)

 

3D mark is relative and not fixed... theoratically 4670 has 4 times the shaders as 4570 and double the bust speed making it 8 times faster... u can't really rely on 3D mark... benchmark in games can prove this...

 

I know 3dmark isn't verything, but show me a game that 4670 does 4 times faster than 4570

4670
World in Conflict (1024x768, niedrig) FPS 108,00
World in Conflict (1024x768, mittel) FPS 65,00
World in Conflict (1024x768, hoch) FPS 36,00

4570
World in Conflict (1024x768, niedrig) FPS 76,00
World in Conflict (1024x768, mittel) FPS 40,00
World in Conflict (1024x768, hoch) FPS 15,00

(Notebookjournal.de)

 

Just because it has 4x the shaders and 2x the bus speed, doesn't make it 8x better. In most games, at best you can move up by one detail setting or up by one resolution setting and have similar frame rates.

 

The Studio XPS 16 is slightly better than the Studio 15, like I said earlier. However, you are wrong in saying that it makes the Studio 15 a crappy machine, because it's not.

 

I've got a 2.16 GHz Celeron in an Inspiron 1545 and it runs well. I think, as stated above, there will be some issues with overheating. I hope it works out well, though.