Results of my CPU and HDD upgrade (SZ)

Decided to upgrade my SZ160~

Core Duo 1.8ghz -> Core 2 Duo 2.1ghz

Vista Processor Score from 4.7 -> 5.1

It made a very noticeable speed increase on everything on the laptop. Applied some Arctic Silver 5 and I think it runs cooler too. Very easy to install.



Fujitsu 5400rpm 100gb -> Seagate 7200rpm 160gb

Vista HDD Score from 4.4 -> 5.2

Couldnt believe how slow that Fujitsu drive was in comparison. Install was still relatively easy but make sure you have some good quality precision screwdrivers and steady hands. Everything loads much fasterrrr.

I also added a 4gb Readyboost cache via Lexar SSD Expresscard but honestly didnt notice any difference.

 

Nice, how did the 7200rpm affect your speed and battery?

 

can you post the picture...thanks.

 

Can I ask, how is the difference in noise and heat (you can check this easily with HDTune www.hdtune.com) between that Fujitsu and Seagate HDD?

 

noise and heat of the HDD..

i think spec wise the 7200 drive is marginally louder.. no difference i could tell even in a completely silent room.

the seagate drive runs cooler

duno how it affects battery. but it should be the same or better. it may draw marginally more power at idle but requires less time to load

 

i want to know how you upgrade you processor? it is easy to do?

 

Wow, the 7200rpm runs cooler? If it really is then I'm most definitely going to do the same once I get a new SZ. Noise-wise you say you can't tell a difference either? I ask myself why Sony then doesn't include a 7200rpm drive as standard as I also find there is a huge difference in performance and loading times on a laptop with 4200 or 5400 vs. 7200rpm.

 

Is VAIO HDD Protection still working when shocking the computer??

 

That is something I definately would like to know too. I won't upgrade if not.

 

Vaio HD Protection should still work. The sensor for the HD protection is not on the drive, rather next to it.

I upgraded my SZ160 HD to a 100GB 7200rpm Hitachi drive when I first got my SZ160 and the HD protection still works fine now. Of course I prefer it not going off since that means I jolted the laptop. In another day or two, I'm going to be swapping in a 200GB 7200rpm drive, just waiting for delivery of the hard drive.

 

I've done the same up grade on a SZ150P/C. Upgraded to a 2.0Gh/z core 2 duo and a 160 gb Seagate 7200.2 drive. Leaps and bounds better. The processor upgrade is very simple. Just unscrew the panels on the back and you'll be looking at the heat sink. Unscrew that and there is your processor. Just remember to go easy on the thermal grease when installing the new processor. I made that mistake and the computer would almost burn my leg. On laptoplogic.com, there is guide for upgrading the hard drive. The guide is great, shows you pictures on how to take off the keyboard and palmrest, everything, but does not mention that the Fujitsu drives are running at 1.5g/s, and the motherboard will support 3g/s, so if your upgrading, pay attention to your jumper settings so you can take full advantage of the speed increrase.

 

Go with the Hitachi 7k200 it is faster.

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