VGN SZ 230 cpu upgrade

Just wonder SZ230 with T2400 socket M can be upgrade to T7200

Thanks.

 

Been there, done that Working perfectly.

 

Thank you ! also what the Max. memory ?


Best....

 

AFAIK max is 3GB, I've sticked 4GB in and even though I use 64-bit system only 3GB is available, most likely from BIOS/chipset limitation.

 

ghrh, can I ask you for more details? What exact model of SZ do you have? Did you have to do anything to the BIOS to get it to recognize the new processor? You were really able to upgrade to a 64bit OS on a machine that was originally 32bit??! (I understand that the Core2 Duo T7x00 are 64bit parts, I'm just surprised that the BIOS/memory controller/assorted hardware didn't hold you back.) Since Sony didn't produce the SZ2xx in a 64bit flavor is it difficult to get the drivers to work (are drivers specific to 32bit/64bit?)

I have a SZ250 with the Core Duo T2400 and I am considering a CPU upgrade. I'd appreciate as much detail as you're willing to provide.

 

Hi PHiZ.

I've got SZ-240 (CTO). I were upgrading from T2300E to T7200 in order to get virtualization working. The only thing I did to the BIOS was to make sure I've got the latest version and unlock VT. I'm using Linux so there were no problems with 64-bit drivers at all.
AFAIR what I've got now is effectively SZ3, it's using exactly the same chipset etc, the only difference (between SZ2 and SZ3) is CPU.
Result: computer is more quiet (when not stressed), faster (1.66->2.0GHz), I've got VT enabled, and all this for less than $100
If you have any other questions - ask them. To me it was just a simple procedure of removing the old CPU and sticking in the new one.

 

So, I did some research. The SZ-2xx has the Intel 945GM Express chipset, and Intel lists the compatible processors here: http://ark.intel.com/chipset.aspx?familyID=22816. Note, the chart lists that both the L and T parts are compatible, i.e. L7400 and T7400. The L designates a low-power part. The ultra-low power U parts (i.e. U7500) do not appear to be compatible. (Well, the U parts may be compatible from the lower-end chips, such as Centrino. See the chart.) See also, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T7200#Core_2_Duo_2

Note, that while the processor is logically compatible, you need to make sure that it is a Socket-M so that it will physically fit. It seems that the memory controller of the SZ2xx is limited to 32bit, and thus you will only be able to address a maximum of 3gb of ram.

Thanks ghrh!

 

According to Intel's website all the L-series chips are in Micro-FCBGA package, making them incompatible with SZ's Micro-FCPGA socket. Unfortunately all we can easily stick into our SZs are T7200-T7600 C2D chips.

You're welcome.

 

Ghrh, can you tell me what temps you are seeing in Speedfan? I Idle around 45c, and see 60c under load. I'm thinking that I need to reseat my heatsink, and/or reapply thermal compound.

Actually, anybody with a SZ340.

 

My temps are exactly as you've posted, under high load even slightly higher. It still is more silent than with T2300 (I can compare as my gf has unupgraded SZ240 )

 

So, I also dropped in an Intel X-25m Gen2 SSD, and 2gig of ram. I'm running Win7, and it works for the most part. It is finals time at school so I shouldn't even have been screwing around with it this much (time).

Now that I have a 64bit chip (and am running a 64bit OS), do you think our BIOS will accept 4gb of ram? (Two 2gb sticks)

 

I was just wondering, is the T7400 the fastest CPU we can put in the SZ? Would any of the T9550 etc work? Thanks!

 

T7600 is the most SZ2 could accept. Newer SZs use newer chipset that allows to stick some other CPUs in. You should also note the socket type and do some research here:
http://ark.intel.com/chipset.aspx?familyID=28117
and here:
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37130&processor=T9550&spec-codes=SLGE4,SLGEL

 

So, I dropped in a 4gb set of RAM. The computer only reads slightly over 3gb. (Even though I am on a 64bit CPU and Win7 x64.) Research indicates that this might be a limitation of the 945GM chipset.

I tried to update the BIOS from R0081NO to something more current. I tried to update to the SZ340P Vista BIOS (R0096N0), but the windows-environment updater said that the update was not intended for my model of computer. I wonder if there is a a boot-disk style updater where I could force it to load arbitrary BIOS firmware.

 

Ok so where can I find one of the T7600s? I tried poking around in Google but am not getting any real results. Ideas anyone?

 

AFAIK SZ3 uses different chipset than SZ2 (965 instead of 945), so the BIOS most likely won't be compatible at all and you risk bricking your laptop that way.

Try Ebay or other services similar to it, there should be plenty of second-hand CPUs.

 

The 945 has a 32-bit memory controller right?
So no BIOS mod could help to get all 4gb.

 

T2500 2ghz = fsb666
T7500 2.2ghz = fsb800

if you upgrade to T7500 with i945gm (sz2x), will you get 800mhz working or downgrade to 666mhz

i945gm
FSB Speed 533MHz / 667MHz
Number of Memory Channels 2
Max Memory 4 GB <+++ ???
Max Memory Bandwidth 10.67GB/s

in which`s section I can find memory controller ?

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any one has tried/checked it ?