HP 2710p Norn (Preproduction?) CPU Troubles

I have an odd model. It has a L7550 CPU instead of the ULV chips. The L7750 is clocked at 1.66GHz, however the system maxes it out at 1.33Ghz. Is there anyway to get it to run at its full potential? windows sees the cpu as being "L7550 @ 1.66GHz (1.33Ghz)"

 

Likely the cpu is internally multiplier locked to prevent operation at the highest multiplier. Could try rmclock. It has a reg file that allows you to set any multiplier you like (if the CPU accepts it). Failing that, consider a PLL pinmod or setfsb overclock as shown here to increase the FSB from (likely 133Mhz) to 166Mhz. That will get you 1.66Mhz operation.

If you do decide to disassemble the unit to look at the PLL, please report what the PLL is and whether it is TME locked (likely) to prevent software overclocking. The 2710P also has what appears to be a 24-pin undisclosed connector near the fan connector. Not sure if it's a diagnostic, sata, bios reprogramming or some other connector. The 2730P's 24-pin sata connector looks very similar on the HP Media Services Library.

I have a 2510P.. with the obvious optical drive. The 2710P doesn't have that, but has some other advantages over the 2510P. It has the dual channel RAM config (so faster X3100 graphics) and the expresscard slot, so more convenient for expresscard based DIY ViDock.

 

I've tried the reg key for RMClock but I cant unlock the multiplier setting. As for SetFSB, think you could give me some instructions based on your experience with the 2510p? The ones in the guide are rather hard to follow. Did you have to do the pin mod? I dont trust myself enough to do that part. I also tried disabling the 2nd core from the BIOS which allows me to push the single core to 1.5Ghz (multiplier 9) I assume this will happen under IDA as well, if that matters

 

It's likely you have an ICS PLL. Worth trying the 2510P PLL, ics9lprs355 to see if perhaps it might work. That PLL is unique as its one of the few, if only, TME-locked PLL that setfsb has figured a workaround to allow overclocking.

Otherwise, suggest follow the instructions in Checking if your PLL is Trusted Mode Enabled (TME - No Overclocking) to see if the PLL is TME locked. If so, would need to pinmod the TME pin based on the chip type/datasheet. If it's the same shape/ICS PLL as the 2510P uses, it's TME PIN 4 that would need to be grounded.

Still, a most important point is identifying the PLL being used. Doing so would help other 2710P users wanting to perhaps do the same to see improvement in CPU and X3100 graphics performance.

 

In case any other 2710P users find this, both the U7700 and the L7500 are TMP locked(I have 2 tablets I'm playing with). I tried using the PPL for the 2510p and it failed to accept the changes on either machine. Anyway, the U7700 uses PCI2 so you must use method 2 in the guide linked above. The L7500 however does not use PCI2 so I can get away with method 1.

I might attempt to overclock the L7500, but I'm going to need more info on what to do. For instance, how will i know which contact is the GND? It just says test until you find it but I dont know what I'm testing for or even how to test for it.

 

If it's a 64-pin rectangular ICS PLL, then can check if the GND pin matches the likely pinouts as shown in this thread. Furthermore, there are lots of GND points all over the place, tied to floating metallic point on the chassis. You'd need a digital multimeter with a continuity testing buzzer to do the probing.

If you're happy to do so, I'd suggest pulling apart your system, identifying the PLL used and taking a good high resolution photo of tracks and resistors around it, posting those pics along with a request for assistance to do a successful overclocking in this thread.

 

Very informative thread, I have been thinking of OC'ing my 2710p as well.
I will be following with interest.

 

Glad to be of help, however please keep in mind that I will be doing most of the modding, if any, with the L7500 since it will be easier and while I'll post continual updates, this wont be directly helpful to you either because it is not the same system as you.

 

I believe the systemboards are exactly the same, with different part numbers to signify different BGA soldered CPUs on them. The 965PM chipset and PLL can both accomodate a 533Mhz FSB CPU (u7xxx) or a 800Mhz FSB CPU (L7xxx), with RAM running at 266Mhz or 333Mhz respectively for either. The different FSBs is set by the BSEL pins on the CPU which directly set the FSLC/FSLB/FSLA pins for the 200/133Mhz operation on the PLL.

Dismantling and identifying the PLL will help other 2710P users, as would a pinmod to TME-unlock the PLL to allow setfsb overclocking (if the PLL is included in the supported list, or can otherwise be added).

A 2710P is an attractive secondhand unit. Overclocking ability making it more so. Adding a 1.8" ZIF SSD + an expresscard e-sata external storage extending storage to meet greater needs. Perhaps incentive to start a 2710P owners lounge to discuss enhancing the 2710P experience?

 

True but, as mentioned earlier, the U7700 uses PCI2 and requires a different pin mod than the L7500