D900K CPU upgrade

I have a Clevo D900K laptop with a single-core 3200+ Athlon 64 CPU, which was what I could afford when I bought it. Based on what I've read, despite the 'no user-serviceable parts inside' declaration about the CPU cover, the CPU is field-upgradable within the limits of the socket-939 CPUs. I want to install an Athlon 64 X2 4800+ CPU into the laptop.

The procedure appears to be straightforward. Make sure the laptop is off and cold, then remove the battery and attach a grounding strap before removing the CPU cover. The picture I found of the 9750 with the CPU cover off would indicate that the CPU cooler is mounted with four screws around the CPU socket; I remove those, then lift out the CPU cooling block. The socket can then be unlatched and the old CPU removed (sticking it in a spare block of static foam). Insert the new CPU to the same alignment, then apply thermal paste (Arctic Silver seems to be the standard) before replacing the CPU cooling block and tightening the mounting screws, then replacing the cover and battery.

Does anyone know of any surprises that I would run into doing this upgrade?

 

No, the procedure you have stated there seems about right. Its very similar to replacing a desktop processor, as the socket is the same. I would consider s slightly slower model, like the Athlon X2 4200+, as it costs less than the X2 4800+. However, if you need the extra porcessing speed then, by all means go for the 4800+. I do believe the warranty will become void, when the processor upgrade happens, and you may also require a BIOS update.

 

The price wasn't an issue -- I've spent more than the $30 price difference between the CPUs on dinner -- and having the extra processor power will keep me from needing another upgrade longer. The picture from HardOCP's review of the 9750 showing the covers off suggest there may be retaining flanges on the cooling ducts where the air blows through the cooling block, but I intend to make sure of what I'm doing before I do more than pull the cover.

The system's about to go out of its one-year warranty (four days), so I don't think I'd be getting any early failures that I'd want warranty service on.

 

i built my D900K, its very simple:
- open the cover:
- 4 screws holding down the heatsink
- lightly disconnect the heatsink's wire from the motherboard
- the Socket 939 is standard with lever
- after the swap, get a thin coat of Artic Silver on the new CPU
- connect the heatsink-wire back
- tighten back the 4 screws
- close cover

Your Done.

and since you will have a dual-core, remember to do the WinXP Multi-Core Hotfix to get the most out of your system.

-Gophn