what do i need to know to change the cpu in my laptop?

[Kasper]

I have an acer travelmate 240 notebook, and i would like to try and
change the cpu. i removed it earlier to apply new thermal paste, but
that didnt solve my noisy-fan-problem. neither did cleaning the dust
from the inside. so maybe if i installed a less power-consuming cpu,
the fan wouldnt run all the time. Now to my question: the cpu is a
"intel celeron 2.40 ghz" and the id-signature is 0F29. At Intel's
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL6W4
i have learned that this particular cpu uses nearly 60 watts! ( if i
read it right ).
Isnt that a lot for a laptop-cpu?
Do i just take the old one out and put the new one in, or is there
jumpers and bios-things to do?
What else do i need to know to find out what other cpu's are supported
by my mainboard?
thanks from Kasper

 

[Rod Speed]

I have an acer travelmate 240 notebook, and i would like to try and
change the cpu. i removed it earlier to apply new thermal paste, but
that didnt solve my noisy-fan-problem. neither did cleaning the dust
from the inside. so maybe if i installed a less power-consuming cpu,
the fan wouldnt run all the time. Now to my question: the cpu is a
"intel celeron 2.40 ghz" and the id-signature is 0F29. At Intel's
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL6W4
i have learned that this particular cpu uses nearly 60 watts! ( if i read it right ).

Isnt that a lot for a laptop-cpu?

Yes. Plenty of those low end laptops dont bother to use the
proper mobile cpus, basically to save on the cost of them.

Do i just take the old one out and put the new one in, or is there
jumpers and bios-things to do?

What else do i need to know to find out what
other cpu's are supported by my mainboard?

Taint easy with those Acers, there is bugger all documentation
available for them online, which is why I avoid them myself.

 

[mike]

I have an acer travelmate 240 notebook, and i would like to try and
change the cpu. i removed it earlier to apply new thermal paste, but
that didnt solve my noisy-fan-problem. neither did cleaning the dust
from the inside. so maybe if i installed a less power-consuming cpu,
the fan wouldnt run all the time. Now to my question: the cpu is a
"intel celeron 2.40 ghz" and the id-signature is 0F29. At Intel's
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL6W4
i have learned that this particular cpu uses nearly 60 watts! ( if i
read it right ).
Isnt that a lot for a laptop-cpu?
Do i just take the old one out and put the new one in, or is there
jumpers and bios-things to do?
What else do i need to know to find out what other cpu's are supported
by my mainboard?
thanks from Kasper

Have you exhausted all your bios and program options for speedstep and
similar programs?
There used to be a bunch of programs like cpuidle that made a big
difference in older operating systems. Have no idea if they run
on current stuff.

Lower power processors typically run at lower voltages.
That's great if your hardware supports it. Not so great if it don't.
mike

 

[Paul]

I have an acer travelmate 240 notebook, and i would like to try and
change the cpu. i removed it earlier to apply new thermal paste, but
that didnt solve my noisy-fan-problem. neither did cleaning the dust
from the inside. so maybe if i installed a less power-consuming cpu,
the fan wouldnt run all the time. Now to my question: the cpu is a
"intel celeron 2.40 ghz" and the id-signature is 0F29. At Intel's
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL6W4
i have learned that this particular cpu uses nearly 60 watts! ( if i
read it right ).
Isnt that a lot for a laptop-cpu?
Do i just take the old one out and put the new one in, or is there
jumpers and bios-things to do?
What else do i need to know to find out what other cpu's are supported
by my mainboard?
thanks from Kasper

This Mobile Celeron is 2.4GHz and has a signature of 0F29.
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL75J

and so does the processor you linked to above. Which means
you may need to use some other tools to identify it. Or look
at the part number printed on the lid of the processor.
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL6W4

If the laptop is quite thick vertically, (as in a desktop
replacement style computer), then maybe it can handle
a 60W unit. Otherwise, the processor is likely to be the
Mobile one at 35W.

I'm surprised that those processors all use the same
family code. I would have thought they'd be given
different numbers.

Mobile Intel Celeron Processors - Identifying Your Mobile Processor
http://www.intel.com/support/processors/mobile/celeron/sb/cs-007469.htm

There is another tool here - Processor Identification Utility:
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scr...ctid=58&dwnldid=7838&agr=n&lang=eng&prdmap=58

You need to positively identify the processor first, before
discussing any options.

On PDF page 55 of this document, it shows the mechanical
packaging of a micro-FCPGA packaged Mobile Celeron. This
package is different than the desktop one.

ftp://download.intel.com/design/mobile/datashts/25130808.pdf

And it is getting hard to find the right documents on the Intel
site. Looks like Intel has messed them up a bit, in the
way the documents are organized.

Paul

 

[Kasper]

This Mobile Celeron is 2.4GHz and has a signature of 0F29.http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL75J

and so does the processor you linked to above. Which means
you may need to use some other tools to identify it. Or look
at the part number printed on the lid of the processor.http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL6W4

If the laptop is quite thick vertically, (as in a desktop
replacement style computer), then maybe it can handle
a 60W unit. Otherwise, the processor is likely to be the
Mobile one at 35W.

I'm surprised that those processors all use the same
family code. I would have thought they'd be given
different numbers.

Mobile Intel Celeron Processors - Identifying Your Mobile Processorhttp://www.intel.com/support/processors/mobile/celeron/sb/cs-007469.htm

There is another tool here - Processor Identification Utility:http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/detail_desc.aspx?...

You need to positively identify the processor first, before
discussing any options.

On PDF page 55 of this document, it shows the mechanical
packaging of a micro-FCPGA packaged Mobile Celeron. This
package is different than the desktop one.

ftp://download.intel.com/design/mobile/datashts/25130808.pdf

And it is getting hard to find the right documents on the Intel
site. Looks like Intel has messed them up a bit, in the
way the documents are organized.

Paul-

The cpu is user-replaceable,
http://www.cpu-world.com/sspec/SL/SL6VU.html
Its the exact same model - i just looked, and it seems that this cpu
does use a lot of power...
Is there any way to find out which other cpu's are compatible with the
type of mobo
that supports this specific cpu? i mean, practically all other cpu's
in this line of computers
use less power. i dont mind "downgrading" as i dont do heavy work on
the thing...

Kasper

 

[Paul]

The cpu is user-replaceable,
http://www.cpu-world.com/sspec/SL/SL6VU.html
Its the exact same model - i just looked, and it seems that this cpu
does use a lot of power...
Is there any way to find out which other cpu's are compatible with the
type of mobo
that supports this specific cpu? i mean, practically all other cpu's
in this line of computers
use less power. i dont mind "downgrading" as i dont do heavy work on
the thing...

Kasper

Having a list of processors from the manufacturer, is the best way
to verify the replacement will work.

If the processor has the same family code, then that could help
de-risk the replacement. Intel processors have microcode patches
stored in the BIOS image, and sometimes you can examine the
set of microcode patches inside the BIOS, to see what processors
the BIOS designer was expecting.

But the other aspect of this is mechanical. If there are two
different packages available for the potential replacements,
do you know if the CPU cooler will still fit ? A micro-FCPGA
package might not be as tall, and that could change the
retention force of the cooler fitting to the top of the
processor. Also, the micro-FCPGA Mobile Celeron has a bare
silicon die (which means you have to be a little more careful
than with a lidded part). Have a look through the datasheets,
and see if you can spot any other differences.

Desktop Celeron package dimensions are on PDF page 51:
ftp://download.intel.com/support/processors/celeron/sb/25174807.pdf

Mobile Celeron package dimensions are on PDF page 55:
ftp://download.intel.com/design/mobile/datashts/25130808.pdf

If the processor is cheap enough and you don't mind taking
a chance, give it a try. If both processors have the same
family code, then the BIOS shouldn't complain.

And I don't see any sign that the replacement processor
uses Enhanced Intel Speedstep Techology (EIST). If the
processor did use that technology, and the motherboard
chipset was not a mobile enabled chipset, the processor
might stay stuck at 1200MHz. But in this case, the
feature set of the Celeron S478 and the Mobile Celeron
of the same era, look to be the same. Just the potential
for the mechanical design difference, and the Vcore should
be lower as well.

That is all I've spotted so far.

Paul

 

[Kasper]

Having a list of processors from the manufacturer, is the best way
to verify the replacement will work.

If the processor has the same family code, then that could help
de-risk the replacement. Intel processors have microcode patches
stored in the BIOS image, and sometimes you can examine the
set of microcode patches inside the BIOS, to see what processors
the BIOS designer was expecting.

But the other aspect of this is mechanical. If there are two
different packages available for the potential replacements,
do you know if the CPU cooler will still fit ? A micro-FCPGA
package might not be as tall, and that could change the
retention force of the cooler fitting to the top of the
processor. Also, the micro-FCPGA Mobile Celeron has a bare
silicon die (which means you have to be a little more careful
than with a lidded part). Have a look through the datasheets,
and see if you can spot any other differences.

Desktop Celeron package dimensions are on PDF page 51:ftp://download.intel.com/support/processors/celeron/sb/25174807.pdf

Mobile Celeron package dimensions are on PDF page 55:ftp://download.intel.com/design/mobile/datashts/25130808.pdf

If the processor is cheap enough and you don't mind taking
a chance, give it a try. If both processors have the same
family code, then the BIOS shouldn't complain.

And I don't see any sign that the replacement processor
uses Enhanced Intel Speedstep Techology (EIST). If the
processor did use that technology, and the motherboard
chipset was not a mobile enabled chipset, the processor
might stay stuck at 1200MHz. But in this case, the
feature set of the Celeron S478 and the Mobile Celeron
of the same era, look to be the same. Just the potential
for the mechanical design difference, and the Vcore should
be lower as well.

That is all I've spotted so far.

Thanks Paul.
A couple of last thing i need to know - what do you mean by "family
code"
there are many different names/numbers on these things
is the cpu-speed important, or does that not matter?
what about bus-speed and L1/L2-cache?
or is that - again - OK within the family code...
I think there is approx. 1 mm difference in package-height, but as far
as i can see
there's room for that on the mobo/fan assembly.
Otherwise i think i am ready to try the switch!

Kasper

 

[Kasper]

Thanks Paul.
A couple of last thing i need to know - what do you mean by "family
code"
there are many different names/numbers on these things
is the cpu-speed important, or does that not matter?
what about bus-speed and L1/L2-cache?
or is that - again - OK within the family code...
I think there is approx. 1 mm difference in package-height, but as far
as i can see
there's room for that on the mobo/fan assembly.
Otherwise i think i am ready to try the switch!

Kasper- Skjul tekst i anførselstegn -

- Vis tekst i anførselstegn -

Oops!
I just found out about my chipset...
according to intel, my chipset Intel 852GME, only supports celeron and
not mobile celeron,
at least the mobile is not mentioned... does that mean that switching
to mobile celeron
wont work ?( actually they talk about pentium 4 - how about that -
thats not in the family...)?
http://developer.intel.com/design/mobile/desguide/253026.htm

 

[Paul]

Oops!
I just found out about my chipset...
according to intel, my chipset Intel 852GME, only supports celeron and
not mobile celeron,
at least the mobile is not mentioned... does that mean that switching
to mobile celeron
wont work ?( actually they talk about pentium 4 - how about that -
thats not in the family...)?
http://developer.intel.com/design/mobile/desguide/253026.htm

I compared the two datasheets for the Celeron and the Mobile Celeron.
They differ in one pin - DPSLP#. The Mobile Celeron has DPSLP# and
the Celeron has a TESTHI pin on the same pad. So the processors are
not exactly the same, although they are both 0F29.

Both processors appear to use AGTL+ for I/O and termination resistors
are connected to VCC. So basically both processors are I/O compatible.

There is another case, of where mobile processors are used in a
desktop board. The SL726 can be plugged into a desktop board like
a P4C800-E. In that case, the DPSLP# signal is missing as well.
The processor has the pin, but on the socket there is only a
pullup resistor on TESTHI[xx]. The result is, the protocol is
missing to change Speedstep states, and the processor in that
case is stuck at 1200MHz (no matter what the specified value
of Fcore is, the processor always runs in the low power 1200MHz
state).

The Mobile Celeron interprets the DPSLP# state differently. There
is no Speedstep on the processor. DPSLP# is part of a disabled
BCLK scheme. To save power on these older processors, they
actually stop the clock (or allow the clock to be stopped).
On the Acer laptop, there is no reason to be stopping the clock,
because a regular Celeron does not have this protocol, and on
a regular Celeron, the clock should be running at all times
(burning up more power).

So, at a minimum, the Mobile Celeron will not be able to go into
its lowest power state (which is not a big deal). But I still
cannot tell you, how Acer would have wired up the DPSLP# pin on
the processor socket. There could just be a pullup on the socket,
if they interpret that pin as a TESTHI type pin.

My *guess* at this point, is the processor would work. The 852GME
datasheet was updated along the way, to cover the use of other
processors, so the advice that Acer used to build their motherboard
would be different than the advice seen in the latest 852GME
datasheet.

I would not attempt this upgrade, unless you don't care what
happens to the laptop. The processor types are not exactly
the same, and differ by one pin. It is up to you to decide
whether this radical modification is worth the risk.

Paul

 

[Kasper]

Oops!
I just found out about my chipset...
according to intel, my chipset Intel 852GME, only supports celeron and
not mobile celeron,
at least the mobile is not mentioned... does that mean that switching
to mobile celeron
wont work ?( actually they talk about pentium 4 - how about that -
thats not in the family...)?
http://developer.intel.com/design/mobile/desguide/253026.htm

I compared the two datasheets for the Celeron and the Mobile Celeron.
They differ in one pin - DPSLP#. The Mobile Celeron has DPSLP# and
the Celeron has a TESTHI pin on the same pad. So the processors are
not exactly the same, although they are both 0F29.

Both processors appear to use AGTL+ for I/O and termination resistors
are connected to VCC. So basically both processors are I/O compatible.

There is another case, of where mobile processors are used in a
desktop board. The SL726 can be plugged into a desktop board like
a P4C800-E. In that case, the DPSLP# signal is missing as well.
The processor has the pin, but on the socket there is only a
pullup resistor on TESTHI[xx]. The result is, the protocol is
missing to change Speedstep states, and the processor in that
case is stuck at 1200MHz (no matter what the specified value
of Fcore is, the processor always runs in the low power 1200MHz
state).

The Mobile Celeron interprets the DPSLP# state differently. There
is no Speedstep on the processor. DPSLP# is part of a disabled
BCLK scheme. To save power on these older processors, they
actually stop the clock (or allow the clock to be stopped).
On the Acer laptop, there is no reason to be stopping the clock,
because a regular Celeron does not have this protocol, and on
a regular Celeron, the clock should be running at all times
(burning up more power).

So, at a minimum, the Mobile Celeron will not be able to go into
its lowest power state (which is not a big deal). But I still
cannot tell you, how Acer would have wired up the DPSLP# pin on
the processor socket. There could just be a pullup on the socket,
if they interpret that pin as a TESTHI type pin.

My *guess* at this point, is the processor would work. The 852GME
datasheet was updated along the way, to cover the use of other
processors, so the advice that Acer used to build their motherboard
would be different than the advice seen in the latest 852GME
datasheet.

I would not attempt this upgrade, unless you don't care what
happens to the laptop. The processor types are not exactly
the same, and differ by one pin. It is up to you to decide
whether this radical modification is worth the risk.

Paul- Skjul tekst i anførselstegn -

Thanks Paul.
For a very thorough help!
Its all up to me now...But i feel that i know of the options and the
risks,
thanks to you.
Whether you did a great deal of research or actually know all that
stuff already,
im impressed, either way.

Kasper