dell inspiron 1525

Hello I was hoping someone could tell me what is the best processor I can but into this laptop? looking at the core 2 duo range hopefully.

I took the some screen caps of CPU-Z to help determine the best processor. I have already purchased an 2.33ghz Core 2 Duo T7600 SL9SD Processor which did not fit into the socket it was one pin off.

Any help guys?

 

I put an Intel Pentium Dual Core T4300 2.1GHz in my moms old 1525. You can put the T8300-T9500 in it.

I chose the T4300 because it was cheaper than C2D, but just as fast.

Is your T7600 missing a pin? Also, this may sound simple, but are you sure you had it oriented correctly?

 

Inspiron 1525 is Socket P, T7600 is Socket M and won't work/POST. 1525 has 965 chipset, so X9000 theoretically would work, but the cooling in that Inspiron is so bad, it'd be throttled all the time. Your best bet is like a T8300/T9300 without spending a fortune.

 

Hey Guys thanks for your input, The T9300 is about what I want to spend for this old laptop. My only reservation is that the Lithography for the T9300 is 45nm isn't that too small to fit in the socket? Maybe I am not understanding it correctly but doesn't Lithography mean the physical size of the cpu? I am only concerned cause the original processor the T2390 is a Lithography of 65 nm.

 

Lithography relates to the size of the transistors in the CPU die. It has nothing to do with physical CPU size. The T9300 will work in the 1525.

 

Okay Guys, I just got a T9300 today. I put it in the laptop and it starts to boot, but then it shuts itself off. I get no video on the screen, the panel lights up normally where the scroll lock and caps lock is. Normal operation is all these LED's cycle. It seems like it wants to come on but then just turns off. Any Idea's? Ive updated to the latest BIOS A17 already. Laptop boots fine with the original T2390 back inside it. Would I need to clear the CMOS? I know sometimes that helps.
I also have upgraded the ram to 800mhz as well PC2-6400. So that shouldn't cause any issues right?

 

Make sure you are running the latest bios from Dell.

 

You can flash the bios from Windows.

 

Or from Linux.

 

I have already flashed to the latest BIOS (A17) look at the mainboard cpu-z cap.

 

So it works with the original CPU, but not with the T9300. Did Dell ever sell a 1525 with the T9300? I know that back in 2008, there was a discussion about why Dell never configured the 1525 with the T9300, at least up to 2008, but I don't know if they did subsequently?

That's easier said than done. You don't just pull out the coin cell battery on this model. You'd have to disassemble the entire notebook, take the motherboard out, flip it upside down, and then pull the coin cell battery. Not worth the trouble.

I wouldn't think so. It must have been a costly upgrade though, considering the high price of DDR2 memory?

 

I don't know what kind of configurations came with this dell.

Yes, I know I looked at the Service Manual Lots of work if I do this.

Yes, the Memory wasn't Cheap at all. $65 for 2 pieces.

Here is what another poster said.

 

Here are a few threads that confirm the T9x00 works in the 1525:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...o/274287-inspiron-1525-processor-upgrade.html

Re: Upgrading the cpu on Dell Inspiron 1525 - Laptop General Hardware Forum - Laptop - Dell Community

upgrade inspiron 1525 celeron 1.8 ghz cpu - Laptop General Hardware Forum - Laptop - Dell Community

http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...most-everything-t9300s-have-why-so-cheap.html

 

It looks like the last poster on this site is having the same issues but with a lower model, the T8300.

 

Ok, but if three others use a T9x00 processor with no problem, you might have a bad chip/

 

I didn't find any references to the T9300 being a configuration option the 1525, or any used 1525s being sold on ebay with the T9300. That's not to suggest that it wouldn't work or that it wasn't an option.

I do wonder if Dell had a specific whitelist for Socket P processors on the 1525's motherboard? I don't know why they would do it, but there again, is was intended to be a low end system.

Yes, it's just as much work to change the CMOS battery as to change the motherboard.

I can agree about the cooling being rather poor, I don't think that's the immediate issue.

 

Okay, I was thinking that possibly could be going on. When I opened the foam box, it looked as if the processor pins melted to the foam. Like the processor was really hot when they packaged for shipment, I had to use a razor knife (Gently) to clear it off the pins, Canned Air wasn't cutting it.

 

Hot off the presses? Well, that's what they used to say about newpapers.

Where'd you get this processor? This is a new one to me.

 

I put a T4300 in my mom's 1525, it ran great. The T4300 is the same gen as teh T9300(800Mhz FSB, etc).

Also, my mom's 1525 ran quite cool, never reaching more than 70C under normal usage.

 

70C under normal usage is pretty hot.

 

LOL, Nah it's not new. Got it off Ebay. eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

Actually it's not. Most most processors idle around 40C. When watching a YouTube video on a laptop that has integrated graphics(which rely on the CPU), it's common for the CPU to hit 65C.

And, like I said, 70C max. Most of the time it was in the low to mid 50C's. If you want to argue for no reason, please take it to PM's.

 

Are you within your 14 days? Have you contacted the seller yet? Hope you haven't done your review yet? If all else fails, there's always PayPal and eBay itself.

 

Reviews matter little. You can get your money back within 45 days of the original purchase, regardless of whether you've left feedback or not. Plus, that looks like a reliable seller, so they shouldn't give you to much of a hassle.

 

You actually used the words "normal usage," not "max."

It's still fairly hot by modern standards and the 1525 had a very bad reputation for heat, clock battery and other issues. It was also fairly fragile in daily use.

 

I am not to worried about the Heat. The laptop only gets used for web surfing and word processing and outlook emails. Basic end user stuff, no gaming or anything that would tax the processor. I have contacted the Ebay seller, No response yet, but it is the weekend.

 

I agree, it doesn't seem as sturdy or as well made as my Toshiba P755-S5269.

 

Oh my, seriously? I stated, "never reaching more than 70C under normal usage". Never reaching more = max.

Like I said, if you want to argue for no reason, please take it to PM's.

It's a decent laptop, my mom upgraded because she need longer battery life.

 

Okay Guys, Here is an Update, The seller was nice enough to send me a new CPU today (T9300). I installed it in the laptop and it does the same thing (No Post and no Video). Is there anything I am missing no matter how small a detail that I need to be doing to get this to work. Also if anyone has a processor that did work in this laptop please post it.

 

Double check the bios is up to date. Try removing the battery and unplugging it, then hold the power button for 30 seconds. Also(I know) make sure you turned the lock on the CPU socket. Check the caps lock light area and see if it's flashing a code.

 

According to dell's website A17 is the latest. Service Tag is 3KVPPF1, It had BIOS revision A13 before I flashed to A17.

I have Always removed the battery before working with the internals of the laptop, I have tried the power button for 30 Seconds. No change.

The Lock seems to be turning all the way right and locking, it feels like if I try to go any more, it may break.

The Power Led on the laptop stays on for about 10 seconds then powers the laptop off. No led's come on near the caps lock they all stay dark. With the original processor in the Num Lock comes on and the play, fast forward, stop mute, speaker those all cycle like normal. the play buttons cycle when the new t9300 installed but that is it.

 

I worked with the Inspiron 1525 (Intel T2330) and I agree that the heat from the computer was immense (I usually left it on during the day and I found the top region of my keyboard and the bottom portion of the bezel was unusually hot), judging by how the T9300 hovers ~70 C - ~80 C (when working at 2.5GHz) from my personal experience I would conclude that your 1525 is probably heating up hotter than before. I also have a few questions regarding your transition to the Intel T9300.

1) Have you applied thermal paste (allow the conduction of heat to the heatsink that was supplied)?

2) Are you sure that this CPU (T9300) is a legimate working Intel CPU (getting a CPU from eBay seller is questionable)?

 

1) Yes I have applied thermal paste, Silver, Here is the brand I use. MANHATTAN : CPU Thermal Grease

2) I have no way of testing the CPU, The seller did ship me a new one that had a pass sticker on it, I am assuming he tested before shipping. I have 2 now and they both do the same thing.

 

If you read this forum, I'd suggest that you get some better thermal paste (something like this, which has really good feedback from other customers). The Intel T9300 does support Intel GMA x3100, so we if we have here ourselves a real T9300, we can eliminate the compatibility problem of the switching to a new CPU that supports the integrated graphics. If your original OEM CPU works (which it does) when you put it back in, we can determine that the issue does not lie in the motherboard. Finally, the CPU should be checked for its legitimacy (the processor itself is quite expensive ( Amazon.com) used or new) and you have 2 of the same CPU.

 

The difference in temps(1-2C) isn't worth buying more thermal paste, save your money Emars378.

Every single Core 2 Duo processor manufactured supports integrated graphics. Emars378 already stated in a previous post that when he installs the old processor, the laptop works fine. Also remember that the processor costs $60, not quite expensive(but a decent amount nonetheless).

@ Emars378:

I would purchase another processor, such as a T8300, and check if it works in your laptop. If it does work, more than likely the T9300's you have are defective.

 

The thermal paste was a suggestion, as long as the Manhattan paste works, then its fine.

Thermal paste is thermal paste, its fine as long as it works. I also don't know how you refurbish a old CPU, but I do keep my old CPUs intact by storing them in a plastic wrap.

 

This was my next step the are almost the same price. Looking at this one.
Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 2.4 GHz 3M 800MHZ Dual-Core CPU SLAYQ (735858201599) | eBay

What do you guys think? If you rather I purchase from a different seller, let me know. Another question I have is there anyway to test the processors? Other then putting them in another laptop? The second processor the seller sent me looks like New but Old stock. It has a date of 9/29/10 on it. SVC Tag is CVLPXF1. SKU: P219D at the bottom it says Result: PASS VMI. I removed it from the static bag and tore the yellow ATTN sticker.

I don't think grease is the problem as it only stays on for 10 seconds. It's not getting hot during this period. I did buy more grease cause I only have 1 tube of Manhattan left.

I bought this kind which is gold. eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

and this one which has silicone compounds.
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

I haven't opened any of these yet. I think this is unrelated but I'm giving you all info I have changed. There was a thermal pad covering the GPU I believe (was deteriorated with all the heat sink removal I have done.), I have removed it and applied the Manhattan grease to it. Had a full day of use today, no trouble with the original CPU installed.

 

I would go with a different seller, just to be safe. Yeah, the only way to test processors is in a laptop.

If you really want to try a different thermal paste, go with a name brand paste. Like Arctic Cooling MX-4, Antec Formula 5, or Arctic Silver.

 

Hey guys,

I bought the CPU from a local seller here in Toronto, Canada. Tested and working on an Inspiron 1525 with 6GB of ram.

Tests well on my Win7

CPU is Stepping 6, rev C0. Temps are around 36-42deg Celsius. Seems a bit hot, but the fan is doing its job. I'll have to clean out the dust bunnies in the heatsink rad to really increase the efficiency a bit.

Hope this helps others looking around, as I could not find a good example of this combo working for anyone. It works for me.

Thx!

Dan

 

Cool, were you able to return the other processors?

 

This is not Emars378 who has tried a couple of CPU's, just someone who helped to confirm that he got a 1525 working with a T9300.

Regarding the original problem, I can think of two longshots. First, some versions of the 1525 might be built with earlier SKU's of the chipset or VRM that weren't validated or didn't work reliably with the T9x00 series CPU's. Perhaps the VRM can't get low enough or is unstable at lower voltages. Not likely but possible. Other issue is to try a different OS (such as a Linux live DVD) to ensure it is not a specific windows issue. Or try a complete re-install of Windows on a spare HDD. I have seen some stability/boot issue with XP and 7 when doing CPU swap when FSB, L2 Cache and other major parts of the CPU change....

If you enter to BIOS does the machine sit there in the BIOS without stability issues?

 

coming from a guy who has seen enough 1525s, i can tell you that spending money on them is a bad idea.

aside from the general crappy feel and look, eventually it will probably stop charging the battery and the only way to fix it is to replace the mobo. Ive seen it happen to at least 6 of them and no replacing power cords/batteries will fix it.

its just not a model laptop worth putting money into,imo

 

You don't have to replace the entire motherboard, just the power jack board. It costs around $5.