HP Compaq 6730s CPU Upgrade

[TheLaserCucumber]

Hi everyone

So, my father got this kinda old HP Compaq 6730s. He complains that it is slow, so I wanted to change the CPU.

He doesn't want to buy a new one!

Currently it has got a C2D T5670 at 1.8GHz which sits on the Socket P (mPGA478).

The Chipset is the GM45 Express.

According to the HP datasheet the best it can handle is a C2D T9400 (2.5GHz).

But Intel says that the GM45 Express Supports up to the T9900 (3.0GHz)

They've all got a TDP of 35W and they're both compatible with the mPGA478 socket.

 

My question is, could the Laptop possibly handle the T9900 or should I go with the T9400 for him?

 

Thanks!

[3 Lions]

Unfortunately you can't upgrade the CPU in this laptop. To make the laptop faster consider getting an SSD or buying a whole new system all together.  

[TheLaserCucumber]

1 hour ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

Unfortunately you can't upgrade the CPU in this laptop. To make the laptop faster consider getting an SSD or buying a whole new system all together.  

It is possible to upgrade the CPU. I took it apart, to see if there's a socket in it and, tadaa! As said, Socket P (mPGA478)

[3 Lions]

Just now, TheLaserCucumber said:

It is possible to upgrade the CPU. I took it apart, to see if there's a socket in it and, tadaa! As said, Socket P (mPGA478)

Can you take the CPU out?  

[TheLaserCucumber]

1 hour ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

Can you take the CPU out?  

Yes. It is a PGA socket, not BGA!

[comicsansms]

Just now, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

Can you take the CPU out?  

It is a mPGA 478 CPU, so of course he can.

[comicsansms]

The Core2 T9900 is not offically bundled with that model of that laptop, the Core2 Duo T9400 is. I assume it would work if you buy the PGA 478 model, they both have the same FSB, TDP and generation.

Anyway, if it doesn't work, I assume it would be a cheap part since it is a laptop CPU that is 8 years old now.

[Teddy07]

I personally would try the T9900 and try to test it. I assume you buy a used on of ebay so you can sell it for the same price if it doesn't work and it will be cheap anyways.

 

T9900 reminds me of Terminator movie. Isn't that one of the bad guy robots?

[TheLaserCucumber]

1 hour ago, Comic_Sans_MS said:

The Core2 T9900 is not offically bundled with that model of that laptop, the Core2 Duo T9400 is. I assume it would work if you buy the PGA 478 model, they both have the same FSB, TDP and generation.

Anyway, if it doesn't work, I assume it would be a cheap part since it is a laptop CPU that is 8 years old now.

 

1 hour ago, Teddy07 said:

I personally would try the T9900 and try to test it. I assume you buy a used on of ebay so you can sell it for the same price if it doesn't work and it will be cheap anyways.

 

T9900 reminds me of Terminator movie. Isn't that one of the bad guy robots?

My concern is that it simply refuses to boot.

Sure I could sell it on eBay if it doesn't work, but it would be more of an effort.

[comicsansms]

Just now, TheLaserCucumber said:

 

My concern is that it simply refuses to boot.

Sure I could sell it on eBay if it doesn't work, but it would be more of an effort.

Actually, looking at the prices... Ouch! $50US for a Mobile Core2 Duo, I'd just look around for end of lease HP Probooks, Elitebooks, Dell Vostros or Latitudes and Lenovo Thinkpads with Core i5s (preferably 2nd gen or newer).

[TheLaserCucumber]

1 hour ago, Comic_Sans_MS said:

Actually, looking at the prices... Ouch! $50US for a Mobile Core2 Duo, I'd just look around for end of lease HP Probooks, Elitebooks, Dell Vostros or Latitudes and Lenovo Thinkpads with Core i5s (preferably 2nd gen or newer).

Because of the Prices, I also considered a C2D T9800 (because of 20€ eBay listings) or P9700 (because of the lower TDP)

I told him a few times that it would be better to buy a new (or used but newer than the one) one, but he says that it is to expensive...

I gave up on telling him that a new one would be better

[Funtoink63]

You may want to update the BIOS. I have HP Compaq 6820s that came with T5470, which i upgraded to T8300. Since it launched in ~Q3 2007, it came with 65nm "Memron" CPUs (like the T5470). At Q1 2008, it relaunched with 45nm "Penryn" CPUs (like the T8300). I was told on official HP support forum that I should do BIOS update since mine was old (from Aug 2007), it might not support new CPU.

 

I asked similar question, whether I should go for T9500 (not listed in manual) since it is slightly faster T9300, their response was that they don't know if its going to work and I would have to try it myself.

 

If you want to play safe, go for T9400 or if you feel like playing a little bit with it, go for T9900.

 

Other than that, buy a SSD or atleast 7200 RPM HDD, swap ram for larger one (if it does have 1 or 2 GB, increase to 4 GB). I did it on mine, laptop is significantly faster. Boots up in like 15 seconds, apps starts up pretty much instantly an shutting off takes few seconds (before it was 5 minutes).

[TheLaserCucumber]

40 minutes ago, Funtoink63 said:

-snip-

It has 4GB, but the GM45 supports 8GB. But 8GB DDR2 SODIMM is kinda pricey.

[TheLaserCucumber]

4 hours ago, Funtoink63 said:

-snip-

It may be interesting to you.

I've also posted my question in the Support Forums from HP.

I've just got an answer:

Quote

Moin,

 

> Laut HP Datenblatt unterstützt das Gerät aber nur bis zum T9400 (2.5GHz)

 

HP hat nicht weiter getestet bzw. die Doku aktualisiert.

 

Schau ob dein Bios aktuell ist und dann gönne dem den T9900

Translated:

Quote

Hi,

 

> According to the HP specsheet it only Supports up to the T9400 (2.5GHz)

 

HP hasn't testet it respectively hasn't updated the specsheet.

 

Look if your BIOS is up to date and then buy the T9900.

 

[Funtoink63]

13 hours ago, TheLaserCucumber said:

It may be interesting to you.

I've also posted my question in the Support Forums from HP.

I've just got an answer:

Translated:

You probably had a better guy to help you because response that I got was "on different laptop with same chipset T9500 is supported" and "unless someone else try this, we'll never know". T8300, T9300, T9500, X9000 came at the same time, Q1 08. Latter two aren't mentioned in manual. After updating BIOS to Aug 08, and with same chipset as that other laptop, I don't see why they wouldn't work since they are literally overclocked T9300.

 

Anyway, thanks for that info.

[TheLaserCucumber]

11 hours ago, Funtoink63 said:

-snip-

I'm glad that my chipset supports 1066MHz FSB CPUs

[Teddy07]

@TheLaserCucumber

I can relate to your problem:

I don't get why people ask others who know their stuff for advice but they do not want to listen. Why do they even ask then?

 

They waste my time which pisses me off