Had some questions regarding the dv5000

First off, I'm new to these forums so hello to all anf try to keep the flamming to a minimum, haha

Anyway, I purchased an HP dv5000t (dv5218nr) for a great price. Although I do know there are other dv5000 models out there that are better in many different terms, this notebook will serve me well for what I need to do as a college student (downloads, file sharing, movie watching, word processing, internet surfing, burning, etc...). I don't really need something that will allow me to play the most graphic intensive games out there (I'm not a PC gamer).

As with most electronics I purchase, I always see what can be done to make them better. I'll be doing simple (standard, i guess) upgrades such as upgrading the RAM to 2G (up from 512 MB) and possibly a bigger HD (up from 80G, 5400RPM). Although some might think 2G in RAM is overkill for what I want to do, I figure if I'm going to upgrade the RAM I might as well do it all at one time and max it out while I'm there

The only other item I was thinking about upgrading was the processor. I currently have the Intel Celeron M 410 (i know, i know ).

Anyway, I was just curious in case in the future I might want more out of my laptop. I've searched but found nothing regarding my specific model of HP Pavilion. Basiclly, I wanted your thoughts on upgrading to a Celeron 430 since looking at some specs I see only a difference n speed and bus/core ratio:

Celeron 410 (what I currently have ): http://processorfinder.intel.com/det...px?sSpec=SL8W2

Celeron 430 (what I might want): http://processorfinder.intel.com/det...px?sSpec=SL92F

What do you guys think? I know changing the processor is a daunting task but I'm willing to do it if the sucess rate is high. Changing processors has been done on laptops, I'm just not sure if it's been done on my particular model.

And one final thought. I see that Intel is planning on adding more to the Celeron M line: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/07...le_price_cuts/

Would changing to the 450 once it's released be possible? I know talking to HP would be best but from I've read and heard, they will always tell you that upgrading the processor is not possible. As far as changing to the 430 (or possibly a different processor that will be designed to work with my laptop), I can only see that upgrading the BIOS might be needed but I'm not sure if that would be REQUIRED or not and I guess only HP might know. Perhaps I could just try another chip that this motherboard was designed for such as the Intel Core Duo T2050 (1.60 GHz) or Intel Core Solo T1350 (1.86 GHz). I assume I need to stick with 533 FSB right?

So, yeah, thoughts? Opinions?

 

I don't think the CPU will make any difference. A faster hard drive and more memory will, but I think 2GB is overkill for what you are doing.

 

Hmm... well, the HD still has plenty of room. I was thinking of going with an external HD since I have the case, power supply, and extra HDs just lying around here, haha.

As for the RAM, I'll probably go for it anyway.

The processor is the only question no one seems to have a straight answer for. Perhaps nobody has tried it? Hmm... maybe I'll be the first one to try it on a dv5000

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

Check to see if you have 945 series chipset. Intel has a utility to make this easier...
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=861

If it is i945, then you should be able to upgrade to a Core Solo or even a Core Duo or the upcoming Core 2 Duo(if BIOS support is available).

I wouldnt really recommend upgrading to ahigher spec Celeron M, since it really wont improve the performance a whole lot. But if the chipset supports the Core Solo/Duo, then it might be worth trying to do an upgrade.

 

Ok, downloaded he utility and this is what it told me:

Intel® Chipset Identification Utility
System Information
Chipset

Detected Chipset:
Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset

Chipset Components

Memory Controller:
82945GM

I/O Controller:
Intel(R) 82801GBM/GHM I/O controller hub (ICH7M/ICH7MDH) SATA Controller found in AHCI mode

Integrated Graphics:
Mobile Intel(R) 82945GM Express Chipset family

So, based on that info I found this on the website from Intel in the form of a PDF file. Here's the link: http://download.intel.com/design/mobile/datashts/30921902.pdf

... I can't seem to get my screen cap to work right now

Under the Processor Support for the PDF file on page 19, it says that this chipset supporst Celeron M (of course), a bunch Intel chips but namely the Core Solo and Core Duo. So based on that, it should work with a BIOS update right? In fact... would one be required if I change at all? I doubt HP would help me with that though huh?

More thoughts? Suggestions?

 

Ouch, no Windows Vista Aero Glass support for that system. How much did you pay for it?

I might be a little anti-HP right now, seeing as how they're not being cooperative in replacing my dv5000 (ATI based with the SB400, which means super slow USB 2.0). But, if possible, return it for a refund. Try everything you can to get out of a restocking fee.

If you just need the basics, put the money towards a MacBook. No more Windows (big plus!), no more spyware, viruses, etc. If you must use Windows, check out other brands. The DV5000 and 8000 series seems to have too many problems with the keyboards, and other issues (like USB speed problems with ATI chipsets). Another thing I loathe about my dv5000 is the headphone/speaker out. Too much clipping. Sounds terrible. If I have to keep my system, I'll definitely be adding an external soundcard.

 

A Core Duo or Solo sould definately work. As for the Core 2 series it probably require a BIOS update from HP. Anyway the Core 2 is not even released yet, but for now you can upgrade to a Core Duo or Solo. BIOS updates are a downlodable file an can be found on HP's download page for the dv5000. I dont think it will be necessary, but if you want to you can have the latest release. But be warned that BIOS updates if they fail will render your computer useless and will have to probably return to HP to fix it. You wont need the BIOS update to run Core Duo or Solo, it might only be needed if you are interested in the Core 2 Duo/Solo.

 

Currently I have BIOS F.13 - 5/10/06 and see that the current version is F.15 - 7/3/06.

Obviously I have an older version but before I update it, would it be required before I try to upgrade the processor or do you think it'd work with my current BIOS?
On a side note, should I update the BIOS anyway (regardless if I update the processor or not)?

 

Actually, I've had no problems with the dv5000 as of yet. Not saying that I plan to but I think as in most cases there are a few laptops that just have something wrong with them... kinda like "Monday" or "Friday" cars, if you know what I mean.
Either way, having a Aero Glass laptop would be nice but isn't a equirement for me. For what I want to do, hell, XP would work just fine. The laptop would support the basic home edition of Vista which is ok as long as it supports it. I don't plan on jumping onto Vista until months after it's release to see how it's working after mass release. By the time that comes around my desktop PC would be able to handle Aero Glass

Other than that, the dv5000 is treating me pretty good. A faster processor is perhaps all I feel I'm lacking right now

 

Bump for more info

 

Ok, so the Core Duo should work. I just have a few more questions then.

The FSB on the Core Duo I'm looking at is 667MHz whereas my current Celeron M is 533MHz. Would the difference in FSB require me to do any more tweaking of the notebook or change anything else? What would this do in terms of memory (if it would even effect it at all)?

Oh, and I was looking around and saw that the dv5200 uses the exact same motherboard as my dv5218nr. The dv5200 can run both the Core Duo and Solo and would use the same BIOS as far as I know. Currently the update for both my laptop and the dv5200 is F.15A.

Any more comments or suggestions? I'm sure if I accomplish this then people that want to upgrade their processor would love for me to share this info, am I right?

 

Well, if your dv5000t uses the same chipset and BIOS as the Core Duo versions of the dv5000t, then I dnt see any problems with upgrading. I cannot gurantee 100% that the upgrade would work, but I think the chances of it working are very high. The bus speed is not an issue and should automatically increase to 667MHz as supported by the CD.

Yes, we all would love to hear if your upgrade was successfull. Dont forget to include lots of pictures.

 

I would like to find out if this worked out for you. I currently have a dv5220us with a Core Duo T2050 @ 1.60. I want to upgrade that to something in the 2.0 range, to make this computer more inline with the requirements of my school. Thanks.