Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
Note to mods: I'm making this a new thread for a quick reference incase anyone else with similar plans to swap processors would like a fellow owner's experience. If you would like to merge this into a similar thread, then go for it. Plus, it's a fun little story.
I've been on the fence about swapping out my NP9262's Q6600 that came with it for a brand new retail boxed Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650. Anyway, I finally decided that I'd do it. In anticipation of a new processor, I flashed my BIOS to version .22 (stock was .17aS) in order to ensure proper CPU recognition and compatibility, but left the KBC/EC firmware alone as it was (I don't remember the KBC/EC firmware version).
I installed the Q9650 yesterday. As having never installed a CPU myself ever before (shocking I know), I was extraordinarily nervous, even after watching dozens of YouTube videos of it, and reading all sorts of articles on applying thermal paste (more on that later).
So on with the experience. Using the D901C's service manual (huge thanks to whoever has those in their sig! I don't remember your name!), I began to work my way to the processor. Removing the processor's heatsink was a bit of a challenge. You have to remove the RAM fan first, then the huge fan next to it, then unscrew the 4 screws that secure the CPU heatsink. The CPU's heatsink screws are a bit of a challenge to unscrew, but even more difficult is removing the heatsink once it has been unscrewed. I very gently removed it. I didn't want to damage anything. Once the heatsink was undone, I took a ten minute break to re-examine the service manual instructions, and the instructions for removing the AS5 paste that Sager put there (also had to eat dinner).
Removing AS5: Using some rubbing alcohol and three lint-free cloths I have from previous visits to the optometrist, I took a deep breath of courage and began the process of cleaning off the AS5. The way Sager applied the AS5 was obvious; credit card spread method, despite the AS5 manual clearly stating the best method to use for Core 2 Quad processors was the 'line' method (I'll post a link below). It was quite a mess on the processor, so to get the idea of how it was done, I decided to clean off the bottom of the CPU heat sink first to get some practice. Arctic Silver 5 is very difficult to remove, and you must remember this one very important thing: Arctic Silver 5 is electrically conductive!! If any of it even touches the motherboard, it's a total goner most likely. Also, any time I got just a tiny bit of AS5 on my fingers/hands, I would proceed immediately to the kitchen to clean it off. This may seem excessive, but I absolutely did not want to take any chances. With that in mind, I was extremely careful. I left the Q6600 fastened, and very gently cleaned off the AS5 on its Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) with rubbing alcohol applied to one of the lint free cloths, and on the fastening clamp. I managed to get most of it, but I was unwilling to touch the sides of the IHS (I didn't want to fry it; I'm gonna be putting that Q6600 in my desktop to replace an aging E6600). Once the IHS and the top of the fastening clamp were clean, I popped it open, and then cleaned the underside of the clamp the best I could. After double checking everything, I proceeded to begin the swap!
Swapping CPUs (Part 1: Removing the Q6600): Before even touching the Q6600, I had to remember the origin of its position. To do this, I looked for the Yellow colored corner on the chip (it's there but very small). In my point of view, it was pointing to the top left. I triple checked all of my fingers for any remnants of AS5, and just for extra safety despite not finding any, I washed them yet again. I had my brother hold an anti-static bag open so I wouldn't be holding the chip for longer than 5 seconds. I grabbed the Q6600 with two fingers by its IHS, very nervously trying not to touch anything else but the IHS, and put it into the anti-static bag immediately. Part 1 done!
Swapping CPUs (Part 2: Installing the Q9650): After a 5 minute breather and trying to calm myself down, I began to re-read the service manual for installing a new CPU just to be sure of the process. With the origin of the chip still in my mind (top left corner!), I unboxed the Q9650 and prepared to install it quickly. I lined it up correctly, and then quickly put it into place. I double-checked its origin, and it was correct. Almost home free now!
Applying thermal paste: As a total amateur to CPU installations, I made sure to get the best thermal paste possible that was not electrically conductive. After extensive research, that paste was Arctic Cooling MX-2, but I noticed there was a third version; MX-3. I used MX-3 instead. There weren't very many reviews of it, but I was confident that if it was the successor to the MX-2, it can't be worse, right? I used a 4g syringe of the stuff. Looking at the AS5 thermal paste application for quad core instructions, I used the 'line' method. All I did was apply a single line vertically (from my point of view FYI), and then that was it. Before re-assembling everything, I let the paste sit there for a minute or so while also checking to see if I had done it correctly. On to re-assembly!
Re-assembly: I put everything back together, but to ensure I would not fry anything, I did not put the battery back in the machine until 20 minutes passed. With rubbing alcohol having a slim chance of touching something other than the processor's IHS, I wanted to make sure that it had evaporated. After 20 minutes passed, I installed the battery. So far, so good. I plugged the machine in, but I did not turn it on. Instead, I let the battery charge fully before turning it on.
Let's see if it works...: Once the battery charge was complete, and the LED in the middle was green, I swallowed my pride, and pressed the power button! Here we go! This is it! Did I brick it? Am I totally screwed?! The laptop turned on, but it was slower than it usually was. This sent a chill down my spine. But to my surprise! POST successful! I got the BIOS diagnostic screen which correctly recognized the Q9650 (it read: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 @ 3.0GHz. # of Processors = 4), and it proceeded to boot into Windows! But I wasn't out of the woods just yet. Once in Windows and everything was loaded, I proceeded to immediately load the following: Core Temp, CPU-Z, and wPrime. Checking CPU-Z, everything looked good. It was reporting the correct clock frequencies (3,000MHz), multipliers (6-9), and bus speeds (FSB 333x9, Rated FSB: 1333MHz). Idle temperatures were very low in comparison to the old Q6600 and AS5. It wouldn't break 40C after idling for 5 minutes with the fans on automatic. It was whisper quiet. I'm not sure if that is thanks to the die shrink (65nm -> 45nm), the newer and improved thermal paste, or a combination of the two. Now for the burn in.
The Burn In: To give my new Q9650 a real test, I made it tackle the 1024M calculation. This was to ensure stability, maximum temperatures, and really just to see how fast it would chew through it. I left the fans on auto, just to see how hot it could get. After 3 minutes, the fans started to get audible. Core #0 was hitting 61C. That was high enough for me. I hit FN+1 to toggle max fans. It lowered to 58C. None of the 4 cores were breaking 58C on high fans. Splendid! The 1024M test took 7 minutes and 13 seconds without any errors! Cool!! It was too late to do any more testing. I had to go to sleep to get up for work today. I will be doing further testing over the weekend, and I can post results if anyone is curious. I took a screenshot of the temperatures during the burn-in, but I'm typing this @ work, so I don't have access to said screenshot. I'll add it when I get home.
All I can say is that it was a fun experience. The new processor is fast as hell from what i could tell just using it for about 20 minutes or so.
Enormous thanks to that guy who has that link to the service manuals in his sig. I think his name starts with a "T". I recognize his avatar XD. Also thanks to Gophn for answering some questions from me via PM. Gophn rules! My NP9262 is once again a portable godbox! I can't wait to get home to test it out further!
Total time laptop spent in the OR: 3 hours.
Link for 'line' method: http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruct/as5/ins_as5_intel_quad_wcap.pdf (PDF)
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Good job man! Having been around electronics and hardware for a long time I get a chuckle out of the surgical-like procedures people follow, but then I remember how nervous I was installing a math coprocessor ~18+ years ago in my 386. Better safe than sorry
Post a screen shot of your accomplishment!!
Sager NP9262 Proecssor Swap - An Amateur's Experience
Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by ettornio, Oct 9, 2009.
