Question:
alienware m5550...how hard to upgrade to core 2?
iv never really worked with laptops before...how hard is it to upgrade the cpu?
is there a guide anywhere? i bought the t2300 as a placeholder until i could replace it with one of the higher end meroms.
also, how do u upgrade the bios of it? i didnt recieve my notebook yet, but im assuming it doesnt have a floppy drive...wondering how im gonna update to the merom bios.
Answer:
Re: alienware m5550...how hard to upgrade to core 2?
its not compatible with that mobo. you'd have to buy a new one.
Answer:
Re: alienware m5550...how hard to upgrade to core 2?
For the BIOS update, A) check if you need it first, and B) if you do, it normally comes as a WinFlash utility or something . . no need for a floppy drive. Just be very careful doing the flash.
I wouldn't bother with the Merom upgrade . . it seems like everyone wants to do that. There's not a task out there that the Core Duo T2300E isn't up to. Upgrading the CPU will void your warranty. Get the CPU you want when you buy the notebook.
Answer:
Re: alienware m5550...how hard to upgrade to core 2?
he's talkin about the new core 2 duo isn't he?
those cpus arnt on any area-51m models or any aw models for that matter yet
nevermind:
http://alienware.com/intro_pages/pro...w_nbcore2.aspx
Answer:
Re: alienware m5550...how hard to upgrade to core 2?
one more thing i was wondering is should i keep the t2300 instead of upgrading to merom by any chance....i mean, it does have a lower tdp then any merom, and battery life is my prime concern
iv only seen benches of battery life with the high end yonah's and merom's, none that deal with the t2300, so im a bit confused on that subject
Answer:
Re: alienware m5550...how hard to upgrade to core 2?
one more thing i was wondering is should i keep the t2300 instead of upgrading to merom by any chance....i mean, it does have a lower tdp then any merom, and battery life is my prime concern
Battery life is going to be abysmal either way, there shouldn't be more than a few minutes difference in battery life between all of the Core Duo/Core 2 Duos. I get an hour and a half - forty minutes if I push it on mine.
Answer:
Re: alienware m5550...how hard to upgrade to core 2?
wow, if thats how much the m5550 has, how much does the one with the geforce go7900gtx sli have lol
Answer:
Re: alienware m5550...how hard to upgrade to core 2?
"Backwards Compatibility
Intel's Core 2 Duo mobile launch is one of those very rare moments in Intel history where a brand new CPU is introduced and it is backwards compatible with existing motherboards.
If you've got a Core Duo notebook with a PGA Socket-M interface, all you should need is a BIOS update and a Core 2 Duo CPU to upgrade your notebook. If you've got a BGA CPU, then you're unfortunately out of luck as desoldering 479 balls from your motherboard without damaging it isn't for the faint of heart.
Obviously there are some caveats, and you'll want to check with your notebook manufacturer to make sure it supports Core 2 Duo on your particular model before upgrading. As far as Intel is concerned, the only stipulations for Core 2 Duo support are on the chipset side and are as follows:
CPU 945GM 945GMS 945PM 940GML
Core 2 Duo
945GM Supported
945GMS Not Supported
945PM Supported
940GML Not Supported
Low Voltage Core 2 Duo
945GM Supported
945GMS Supported
945PM Supported
940GML Not Supported
Ultra Low Voltage Core 2 Duo
945GM Supported
945GMS Supported
945PM Supported
940GML Not Supported
If you've got a 945GM or 945PM equipped notebook, then the Core 2 Duo should be a drop in replacement for your Core Duo processor. The upcoming Low Voltage and Ultra Low Voltage Core 2 Duo processors will also work in the 945GMS chipset, and none of them will work in the 940GML chipset. "
is this true?
found that on anandtech.com, i take no respobsibilty for damages etc etc...
Answer:
Re: alienware m5550...how hard to upgrade to core 2?
"Backwards Compatibility
Intel's Core 2 Duo mobile launch is one of those very rare moments in Intel history where a brand new CPU is introduced and it is backwards compatible with existing motherboards.
If you've got a Core Duo notebook with a PGA Socket-M interface, all you should need is a BIOS update and a Core 2 Duo CPU to upgrade your notebook. If you've got a BGA CPU, then you're unfortunately out of luck as desoldering 479 balls from your motherboard without damaging it isn't for the faint of heart.
Obviously there are some caveats, and you'll want to check with your notebook manufacturer to make sure it supports Core 2 Duo on your particular model before upgrading. As far as Intel is concerned, the only stipulations for Core 2 Duo support are on the chipset side and are as follows:
CPU 945GM 945GMS 945PM 940GML
Core 2 Duo
945GM Supported
945GMS Not Supported
945PM Supported
940GML Not Supported
Low Voltage Core 2 Duo
945GM Supported
945GMS Supported
945PM Supported
940GML Not Supported
Ultra Low Voltage Core 2 Duo
945GM Supported
945GMS Supported
945PM Supported
940GML Not Supported
If you've got a 945GM or 945PM equipped notebook, then the Core 2 Duo should be a drop in replacement for your Core Duo processor. The upcoming Low Voltage and Ultra Low Voltage Core 2 Duo processors will also work in the 945GMS chipset, and none of them will work in the 940GML chipset. "
is this true?
found that on anandtech.com, i take no respobsibilty for damages etc etc...
another thing i didn't know... wow. thanks for the info!!