Will dvx000t Dual Core Duo Laptops Support Meron CPU's

I talked with a Tech at HP to find out if the dv2000t, dv5000t, & dv8000t lines will support the new CPU Meron from Intel. This is the dialog.

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Me: Intel has the new Meron CPU's coming out and I was wondering if the current HP dv2000t, dv5000t, & dv8000t will support the new chip? as they are the same socket and Intel says the new chip will work in the current socket

Them:Oh! I am afraid its not possible to upgrade the processor.

Me: why is that?

Them: Processor is not an option for upgrade on most of the notebook computers.There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when upgrading the processor on the notebook. Variables such as the Chipset support, motherboard type, BIOS version and socket type must all be taken into consideration when attempting to upgrade a processor. Incorrect DIP switch settings may damage the new processor and the motherboard.

Me: Well the new Meron uses the same chipset and socket, so only the bios update would be needed. So If I know the Motherboards brand I could make it work with a proper Bios update.

Them: HP never recommends to upgrade the processor. The Motherboard is HP OEM.

Me: So HP won't make an updated bios....???

Them: Yes, the BIOS update is available but, I am not sure that you will be able to use the new processor with the Notebook.

Me: Well it is worth a shot!

Them: If you are interested to upgrade the processor, you can go for that. However, as HP never recommends that. We cannot say that it will work with the Notebook. We do not have any tested information for that.

Me: where would this bios update be found?

Them: I will provide you the link to update the BIOS.

Me: Thank You!

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So the conclusion is they do have a Bios ready for their Motherboards but like it says they don't recommend it, I am guessing they say that because it is not easy to get to the CPU... You have to take apart the entire laptop to get to it. I haven't decided if I am going to do this or not, but If it is possible this could mean all the Intel Dual Core Duo Laptops such as the DV2000t's, DV5000t's and the DV8000t's will be able to survive much longer in the market place with a $400 to $500 upgrade on a CPU...

Might be a good find might not, But I will keep you posted 

 

I was able to obtain a Meron chip from a friend of mine in the industry I think I will give the bios update a try...

 

Thanks for your efforts Sledgehammer70! Getting support from HP is like getting support for your upcoming marraige from your soon-to-be-mother-in-law. Please post back and PLEASE take detailed photos. Getting to the CPU should be exciting for us first timers.

 

Assuming that there is a BIOS update available, where would one obtain a Meron CPU?

 

Whenever it comes out, you should be able to buy it from an online retailer, such as NewEgg.

 

My opinion is: if you consider Meron CPU, better wait till HP officially release that. It is not only because the risk of DIY and avoiding warrenty, but also you will not get the performance boost much. dvx000t currently use FSB533 north bridge, even you plugin Meron, you will always stay in 533 DDR2. The performance will get maximum increase if you wait till new northbridge come out for FSB-667. Since Intel is about release new GPU (GMX 3000?) right after Meron, it is worth to wait rather than swape the CPU in old platform.

 

Sledgehammer, I eagerly await for the results of your experiment.

I was under the impression that the FSB for the HP mobo was 667 since the processors are 667? (533mhz is for those T2050?)

If you really want to get the best Meron, then wait for Santa Rosa, which features the GMX 3000, which will be next Spring.

 

I thought it was merom?? Anyways, this will be a good devlopment towards future processors. What are the estimated prices for the new processors and will they hopefully lead to a Yonah processor drop?

 

I have to agree with rockharder. Especially in light of the new dv6000z and dv9000z Turion X2 models. HP could be planning to make dv6000t and dv9000t notebooks their Merom models and never add Merom BIOS support to their current Core Duo machines. Assuming they ever make dv6000t and dv9000t's of course.

Or just buy a Turion X2 machine now and be done with it .

 

Actually the dv8000t Duo CPU's support 667 and 533MHz , I am running 667Mhz Ram as we speak. I don't know about the DV5000's or dv2000's but the dv8000t supports 667Mhz FSB. Which makes a Meron core an awesome upgrade.

 

Typo on my side Merom is the name... I picked up and engineer sample for in the $300 price range these chips will hit the market in a month or so.

 

So did it work?

 

It would be nice if you have this early upgrade review since you have 8000t with Go 7600. But would HP release this new BIOS?

 

Yes I have the Bios for the Merom chip, But I am researching a few more things before I go ahead with the upgrade. The main thing is to find out the components of the NorthBridge.

To test this upgrade I have to take apart the entire computer and put it back together again to see if it works. There isn't a real way to test it out side of it not being put back together.

 

Sledgehammer70 any update on upgrading your processor?

 

I, too, am eagerly awaiting the results, since I am planning on upgrading my dv6000t.

 

Hey thanks a lot for your dv-8000t reviews and pics...sledgehammer70. I just received my dv-8000t 2 days ago and have been playing with it. I LOVE IT!. Just saw your review and pics today..i am glad i took the right decision in buying this notebook. I LOVE IT!. But, seeing your pictures where you have the laptop dv8000t cut open on the table makes me want to respect this laptop even more and ofcourse also u for being brave and showing the rest of us about whats under the hood of this HP dv-8000t. Thanks once again.
baksharp.

 

Hello, where did you get the bios? Also did you go ahead with the processor switch? I am looking to upgrade my Dv8000 from a T2500 to a T7400. I just want to be sure it will work. Let me know if you upgraded. Cheers Sami.

 

so did it work?

 

See, this can be a problem.

The dv8000 series never was built with Core 2 Duo processors, so HP may never have made a BIOS to support Core 2 Duo chips in the dv8000 series.

I dunno is there's to confirm if the BIOS will support the chips or not.

Aside from putting in the chip and trying it out, but it's a risky move, because it may not work.

 

So last year HP released this BIOS named F.17A ---

Release Date: 2006-09-12 Version: F.17 A

Description

This package contains the WinFlash utility and a System BIOS image for the listed operating systems. The WinFlash utility is used to locally flash the System BIOS (ROM) on notebooks operating in a Microsoft Windows environment.

PURPOSE: Routine

OPERATING SYSTEM(S):
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional



Enhancements

Supports Intel Core 2 Duo Processor.


I am waiting for my warranty to expire. (or get close) and the price of the T7X00 Core 2 Duo to come down a little. Has anyone done this upgrade yet?

 

I'm sure the latest F.22 or F.23 BIOS (for the dv5000t, anyway) supports Merom.

I might buy a T7200 in a few months and drop into this, Maybe a new keyboard, too (I'm rough on keyboards).

 

I bought a refurb dv5000t and have a new boxed T7200 waiting for this weekend's entertainment. I have the F22A bios. Did anyone ever do the processor swap and confirm it does work as expected? Or were there problems? I've been following this thread but unless I missed something I never saw whether the swap worked out or not.

TIA

Schmagagled
DV5250ca 1.83 CD, 2gb, 120gb XP/H

 

Okay, the deed is done. The brain transplant was successful and there were'nt any leftover screws! A total sucess.

What was a dv5250ca with a T2400 is now a dv5250ca with a T7200 and no warranty (Sad really, isn't it? )

Subjective observations are that it is a bit faster, no benchmarks done yet. (Just a bit "snappier" at doing whatever it is working on, menus open faster, AV scan seems to go faster, Office opens faster, Acrobat seems to PDF pages faster, that sort of thing).

Before anyone points his out, let me say I know this upgrade was not "cost effective", but as an enthusiast who likes to make whatever he owns go faster, it was worth it on a personal level. And in the end it comes down to just plain fun.

Schmagagled

 

Who-Hoooo!

Congratulations on your successful swap and thanks for posting. I plan on doing something similar to my DV8408us in a little while. I have a T2250 at the moment and it is slowing my 667 memory that I bought down to 533. I'm hoping the price drops on the Meroms sometime soon.

I guess I need to modify my Sig on this board. I'm not running Vista anymore. I've migrated to Ubuntu.