Compaq Presario CQ50-209WM - Upgrading Processor

Hi guys. Looking for a little help, here and I was told that this is a good place to start, so here goes.

It's pretty simple. This laptop, is as you likely know a bare bones, cheapy, that I'm just looking to get another year or two out of. I've already upgraded the RAM from 2GB to 4GB, and I want to do the processor. The single core Celeron, is good, at least for what I use it for, but there are times when it's not great. Upgrading to, at the very least a dual-core processor, would make things better.

Here are my current specs, according to CPUZ.

Mainboard:

Wistron 360B - 09.67 (highest BIOS on HP website)
Intel Chipset - GL40 Rev. 07
Intel Southbridge - 8280IM (ICH9-M)

CPU:

Intel Celeron M - Merom - P Socket(478) - 65NM - 585 @ 2.16GHz - L2 Cache is 1MB - 667FBS

Voltage and TDP (Thermal) from Wikipedia

Voltage: 1.075–1.175 V
TDP: 31 W

Okay. What I want to do is upgrade, from the single core Celeron to at the least, Dual-Core, Pentium T3400.

Here are the T3400 Specs. Intel Link: Intel® Pentium® Processor T3400 (1M Cache, 2.16 GHz, 667 MHz FSB) Socket Pwith SPEC Code(s)SLB3P

2.17 GHz
L2 Cache: 1 MB
FSB: 667 MT/s
Voltage: 1.075–1.175 V
TDP: 35 W
Socket: P
65NM
Merom-2M

Going by what is in my Maintenance and Service Guide, (pdf link http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01572022.pdf - page 9)

It shows the supported CPU's, and the T3400, is supported. HP also says that I can upgrade the processor. Since the socket, is the same, I should be able, in theory to upgrade the processor right?

Thanks for any help guys. If you need anymore info let me know.

 

Yes, that should work. As long as that processor is a supported processor for your model's BIOS, it should be compatible on top that it is compatible with the socket.

 

Is there a way that I can check to see if the BIOS supports the processor? I know you can access BIOS information by pressing F1 during start up. Does it involve doing that?

Also, the 4TDP difference between the Celeron (31) and the T3400(35) shouldn't be a problem correct?

Again, thanks for the help.

 

Well there isn't really a way to check via the BIOS through the menus to be honest with you. The only way would be to extract the BIOS via a BIOS editor and translate the contents with a Hex editor. However, as long as there is models of your laptop's range that had sold with the T3400 and most likely it will be using the same motherboard configuration, it should be compatible.

Also, a boost of 4 TDP is too small to cause any concern. Your AC Adapter can handle such a small boost.

 

Okay, that works. Just a few more questions. Sorry for having so many questions. :\

Anyway.

I was looking around and I noticed that with the Intel Gl40 chipset that I have doesn't have the T3400 as a listed compatible processor.

Link: Mobile Intel® GL40 Express Chipset

Could that be an issue? I'm just trying to cover all my bases. Also, I've read that I'll need to buy thermal paste to cover the CPU after installation. Is there a certain kind of paste I'll need? And if so, what kind, if you know.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

By the looks, if your chipset is really the so-called GL40, then no this upgrade won't work. If your chipset doesn't recognize Pentiums, then it won't work with the T3400. However, I am willing to tell you that you will need thermal paste if you want to upgrade your CPU. A good staple thermal paste you can get is Arctic Silver 5.