Laptop CPU upgrade?

Question

I'm thinking about upgrading the CPU of my Dell Inspiron 6000 notebook. Right now it has the standard issue Pentium M Dothan 1.6GHZ, 2 mb L2 cache, 400FSB. I would like to upgrade it to a Pentium M Dothan 2.26 GHZ, 2mb L2 cache, 533FSB. I understand the 6000 takes any M processor on a 400 or 533 bus.

I'm thinking about getting the processor on ebay, though, since it's so much less expensive that way. Does anyone here have experience getting a processor pulled from another machine that installed and ran well?

How hard is it to upgrade the CPU at home? I am fairly comfortable working inside my laptop, though I wouldn't mess with the motherboard. Does the CPU upgrade require flashing the BIOS, or is it plug and play?

I already checked and found out that the 2.26 ghz is supported by my system...it's the fastest that my system can take. The instructions are http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins6000/en/sm/cpu0.htm#wp1000550. There it says I have to flash the BIOS, but is that really necessary? How do I do it if I don't have the BIOS upgrade CD?

Answer 1

Are you sure it support 533 MHz FSB? I think the 1.6 GHz processor you have (Pentium M 730, I suppose) is a 533 MHz FSB processor. If the DELL Inspiron 6000 has a intel 915 chipset, then yes, it supports 533 MHz FSB.

Well, i'm not sure. But as long as you can open it up, and plug it in, I suppose it will work. I don't think you need a BIOS flashing as long as the processor is in the range available for purchase.

I replaced my laptop's Pentium M 740 with a 2 GHz one and it works in my case. But I cannot guarantee. But 95% I suppose it will work.

Answer 2

many times, changing a CPU on a working laptop or computing device isn't cost-useful. the reason of that's by using socket variety and thermal limits, your accessible improve thoughts are very constrained. often around 10% is the perfect overall performance improve you may wish for. pondering the cost of the CPU, cost of setting up, the better threat of overheating and the lack of overall performance benefit it only isn't well worth it. That suggested, you're in effortless terms going to have the potential to enhance to Turion sixty 4 CPU's. The Phenom CPU's are all a diverse socket variety.

Answer 3

Removing a CPU is very simple. However, laptops are not as simple as desktops. It's a no brainer either way. If there is a heatsink unlatch and remove it. Unlatch and remove the CPU. That's it.

Search Dell for your computer specs and see if that models bios supports the faster CPU's. (sounds like you already did that)

If there is a heatsink, its nice to reapply some more silicone heat transfer stuff to the heatsink before you reinstall it.

Answer 4

I've bought almost a half dozen procs on eBay, and only 1 was DOA, and they wouldn't take it back after that, so I was out some money, but the rest were fine. And yes, it's plug and play. It's harder to take the heat sink off than it is to swap out the proc. Good luck, and have fun with your new power! =]

Answer 5

Just another idea... get the part number of that motherboard, and find out what CPUs were used by Dell. It might confirm your best hopes... at least let you know how fast Dell pushed things.

Answer 6

Tearing into the laptop is a bear believe me. If you choose to get this upgrade then I suggest that you get some one with A+ cetified and let them do the work for you. Try like a tech school they will do it for free..