Changing a laptop processor - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

wombatman · 06-22-2006, 06:11 PM

I have a Compaq Presario 1500 laptop. It has a 2.0Ghz Pentium 4 processor (this was from right before the mobile processors) and 224MB of RAM. How likely (or unlikely) is it that I could buy a mobile processor and some RAM to replace the stuff that's in the machine currently?

I would guess that the socket in the laptop right now is Socket 478 due to the fact that the processor is actually a standard desktop processor, and I've seen that the mobile processors are Socket 479.

Thanks for any help you all might be able to provide.

Psycho Dad · 06-22-2006, 06:20 PM

I don't know about the processor, but most of the RAM manufacturer's websites should tell you what you can do as far as RAM. Many of them have places where you enter your computer's model and make and then they list memory options.

wombatman · 06-22-2006, 08:58 PM

Well, I believe I've found a suitable replacement processor in the form of a Pentium-M 2.4Ghz processor as noted on this page: http://www.sparepartswarehouse.com/C...top,Parts.aspx

It looks to be an early version of the Pentium-M, but I've found one on E-bay that I could pick up for about $130 bucks versus the $700 (WHA?) they're asking for on the link above.

Guess it comes down to whether I want to spend the money or not for it since I could do "buy it now" anytime before the 26th.

cyrnel · 06-22-2006, 09:37 PM

There's no guarantee the BIOS or even chipset in your laptop will support other processors. There were quite a few changes from MP4->MP4M->M. You might have some chance of getting an MP4M to work but the performance isn't much better. If I remember it mostly added reduced power modes, which makes me think your chipset isn't likely to support it.

If I found one on the cheap I might give it a try. Otherwise I'd put the money into something alltogether different. Buying the processor plus memory plus the used value of your laptop would be very close to that of a new laptop. Faster, cooler, more memory, bigger HD, etc.

Dilbert1234567 · 06-22-2006, 09:38 PM

very few laptops can have there CPU upgraded easily, if you have to ask if its possible, I’m sure you don’t have the experience to do it (no offence), furthermore, the jump between 2.0 and 2.4 is not really that much, especially with a laptop. Even if you could get it in there, the motherboard would have to support it, which would take a bios update. As for the ram, that is easy, I googled Compaq Presario 1500, it takes 200-Pin DDR SO-DIMM DDR 266 (PC 2100), the memory on that site is a major rip-off. Also don’t be confused, DDR and DDR2 both have the same pin count for SO-Dimms, you want DDR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145482
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141322

Cynthetiq · 06-22-2006, 09:55 PM

according to the place I buy my laptop parts, Impact Computers, you'll only be able to upgrade it to a 2.4Ghz.

Compaq 2.40 GHz Intel Mobile Pentium 4 Processor - 310306-001

Regular price: $377.85
Sale price: $229.00

for that price, you'll be much better off buying a new laptop and forgoing the aggravation of trying to beef this one up.

wombatman · 06-23-2006, 05:40 AM

Dilbert: I technically don't have the experience to change out the processor since I've not done it for a laptop. I have however, built 3 desktop computers and swapped multiple components before. I also managed to find a replacement guide on Compaq's website that showed the order in which to remove screws/pull plates/etc to get at the processor. Oh, and the memory is not the only thing that's a ripoff on that site. Check the prices they demand for some of the processors. It is, however, a good place to check for compatibility.

Cynthetiq: I found the processor on Ebay (a working used from a several thousand feedback seller) for about $130. The only major question I have right now is whether or not the new processor is enough of an upgrade. The learning experience alone might be worth it, but I have to be sure.

Cynthetiq · 06-23-2006, 06:18 AM

Personally I hate working on laptops. Everything is so tight and delicate. If you never have done it, I'd say give it a go. You'll know for yourself if you enjoy it.

I've done several upgrades on various laptops over the years, from HDD to keyboard replacements. I don't remember if I changed a LCD display or not. I did a proc upgrade on my Toshiba 486 with a ZIF socket back in the early 90s that was my first upgrade. It was designed for it, but still not easy to get to the slot.

Dilbert1234567 · 06-23-2006, 07:31 AM

if you do have experience with desktops, and want to try a laptop, remember to document, document, document, there are usually several sizes of screws, in several different lengths, write down where they go on the case. Also remove the battery before you start working. I’ve done several laptop upgrades at work, and it’s always an adventure.

good luck

Jinn · 06-23-2006, 08:04 AM

The screws, man, the screws! Like Dilbert said, keep track of those screws. There's so many damn types of screws in all their lovely shapes and sizes that if you forget which ones go where you'll end up never getting the laptop back together.

I'm used to building a desktop where you have two, many three types of screws -- and they're all pretty easy to tell apart and even interchangeable. The one laptop I tried to work on.. definitely more than three.

3Z3VH · 06-27-2006, 06:42 PM

The best thing to do about the screws ? I get a bunch of sheets of paper, and I will draw a basic image of the part of the laptop I am taking screws out of, and when I take a screw out, I punch it through the piece of paper (So it is stuck in the paper) right in the spot the screw was on the laptop, according to the diagram I drew. if I have to flip the laptop upside down, or I take off a whole layer, like the bottom of the shell, I will start a new sheet for the new "layer" of the laptop.

This helps two-fold... number 1... you know exactly where the screws need to go back to... and number 2, keeps those screws from rolling around all over the place, and getting lost.

cyrnel · 06-27-2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Z3VH

The best thing to do about the screws ? I get a bunch of sheets of paper, and I will draw a basic image of the part of the laptop...

Bingo. I'm artistically challenged so take pictures & print them out. Usually tape the screws to the printout to keep them secure in case the project takes longer than expected.

06-22-2006, 06:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
wombatman Insane	Changing a laptop processor I have a Compaq Presario 1500 laptop. It has a 2.0Ghz Pentium 4 processor (this was from right before the mobile processors) and 224MB of RAM. How likely (or unlikely) is it that I could buy a mobile processor and some RAM to replace the stuff that's in the machine currently? I would guess that the socket in the laptop right now is Socket 478 due to the fact that the processor is actually a standard desktop processor, and I've seen that the mobile processors are Socket 479. Thanks for any help you all might be able to provide.

06-22-2006, 06:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Psycho Dad Mulletproof Location: Some nucking fut house.	I don't know about the processor, but most of the RAM manufacturer's websites should tell you what you can do as far as RAM. Many of them have places where you enter your computer's model and make and then they list memory options. __________________ Don't always trust the opinions of experts.

06-22-2006, 09:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	There's no guarantee the BIOS or even chipset in your laptop will support other processors. There were quite a few changes from MP4->MP4M->M. You might have some chance of getting an MP4M to work but the performance isn't much better. If I remember it mostly added reduced power modes, which makes me think your chipset isn't likely to support it. If I found one on the cheap I might give it a try. Otherwise I'd put the money into something alltogether different. Buying the processor plus memory plus the used value of your laptop would be very close to that of a new laptop. Faster, cooler, more memory, bigger HD, etc. __________________ There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

06-22-2006, 09:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dilbert1234567 Devils Cabana Boy Location: Central Coast CA	very few laptops can have there CPU upgraded easily, if you have to ask if its possible, I’m sure you don’t have the experience to do it (no offence), furthermore, the jump between 2.0 and 2.4 is not really that much, especially with a laptop. Even if you could get it in there, the motherboard would have to support it, which would take a bios update. As for the ram, that is easy, I googled Compaq Presario 1500, it takes 200-Pin DDR SO-DIMM DDR 266 (PC 2100), the memory on that site is a major rip-off. Also don’t be confused, DDR and DDR2 both have the same pin count for SO-Dimms, you want DDR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145482 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141322 __________________ Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen

06-22-2006, 09:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	according to the place I buy my laptop parts, Impact Computers, you'll only be able to upgrade it to a 2.4Ghz. Compaq 2.40 GHz Intel Mobile Pentium 4 Processor - 310306-001 Regular price: $377.85 Sale price: $229.00 for that price, you'll be much better off buying a new laptop and forgoing the aggravation of trying to beef this one up. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

06-22-2006, 08:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
wombatman Insane	Well, I believe I've found a suitable replacement processor in the form of a Pentium-M 2.4Ghz processor as noted on this page: http://www.sparepartswarehouse.com/C...top,Parts.aspx It looks to be an early version of the Pentium-M, but I've found one on E-bay that I could pick up for about $130 bucks versus the $700 (WHA?) they're asking for on the link above. Guess it comes down to whether I want to spend the money or not for it since I could do "buy it now" anytime before the 26th.

06-23-2006, 05:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
wombatman Insane	Dilbert: I technically don't have the experience to change out the processor since I've not done it for a laptop. I have however, built 3 desktop computers and swapped multiple components before. I also managed to find a replacement guide on Compaq's website that showed the order in which to remove screws/pull plates/etc to get at the processor. Oh, and the memory is not the only thing that's a ripoff on that site. Check the prices they demand for some of the processors. It is, however, a good place to check for compatibility. Cynthetiq: I found the processor on Ebay (a working used from a several thousand feedback seller) for about $130. The only major question I have right now is whether or not the new processor is enough of an upgrade. The learning experience alone might be worth it, but I have to be sure.

06-23-2006, 06:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	Personally I hate working on laptops. Everything is so tight and delicate. If you never have done it, I'd say give it a go. You'll know for yourself if you enjoy it. I've done several upgrades on various laptops over the years, from HDD to keyboard replacements. I don't remember if I changed a LCD display or not. I did a proc upgrade on my Toshiba 486 with a ZIF socket back in the early 90s that was my first upgrade. It was designed for it, but still not easy to get to the slot. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

06-23-2006, 07:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
Dilbert1234567 Devils Cabana Boy Location: Central Coast CA	if you do have experience with desktops, and want to try a laptop, remember to document, document, document, there are usually several sizes of screws, in several different lengths, write down where they go on the case. Also remove the battery before you start working. I’ve done several laptop upgrades at work, and it’s always an adventure. good luck __________________ Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen

06-23-2006, 08:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	The screws, man, the screws! Like Dilbert said, keep track of those screws. There's so many damn types of screws in all their lovely shapes and sizes that if you forget which ones go where you'll end up never getting the laptop back together. I'm used to building a desktop where you have two, many three types of screws -- and they're all pretty easy to tell apart and even interchangeable. The one laptop I tried to work on.. definitely more than three. __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

06-27-2006, 06:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
3Z3VH Tilted	The best thing to do about the screws ? I get a bunch of sheets of paper, and I will draw a basic image of the part of the laptop I am taking screws out of, and when I take a screw out, I punch it through the piece of paper (So it is stuck in the paper) right in the spot the screw was on the laptop, according to the diagram I drew. if I have to flip the laptop upside down, or I take off a whole layer, like the bottom of the shell, I will start a new sheet for the new "layer" of the laptop. This helps two-fold... number 1... you know exactly where the screws need to go back to... and number 2, keeps those screws from rolling around all over the place, and getting lost.