Hi all,
How is everyone? My post is pretty much as the subject says. This is gonna be quite a long post, so apologies in advance!
My compaq presario 1090AP has a 1.6ghz centrino (Banias), 1x1gb and 1x256mb pc3200 ram, and most importantly, the chipset is Intel 855PM (400mhz system bus).
I plan on putting in a 2.0ghz Pentium M 760. Boxed, they go for roughly GBP220 (komplett.co.uk and inmac.co.uk) appear to sell them.
What I would like to know is if it would be a worthy upgrade, or if I should just stick with it as it is, and see what pops up in the near future? I'm not too concerned about the fact that I'm still stuck with a 400mhz bus (with 533mhz being used in more current centrino laptops - I bought mine around 2 years ago). One thing I know is that Pentium M performance scales beautifully per mhz, based on benchmarks anyway. From what I've read, (can't find the page atm, but when I find it, I'll post it), there's about a 6% actual performance benefit from the 533mhz bus, despite intels claims of, what was it, 30% increase? Anyhow, that kind of puts to rest the desire to just give up and sell this laptop, and get a new one. But I'm happy with how everything works just now, which is why I plan on just having the cpu upgraded.
I'm definately not planning on doing the installation on my own as that would definately be a bit of a sticky affair! The only company I have come across online is Totis.co.uk, who incidentaly also sell the cpu. I'm yet to hear back from them regarding the process, but I'm assuming it would be a "ship to base and we'll ship it back in 5 days" scenario. However, I would be more comfortable taking the laptop to somebody in person, and having it done on the spot. I'm currently in the London area. Is anybody aware of reputable stores/centres handling laptop cpu upgrades in the area?
Once again, sorry for the long long post, and thanks a bunch if you made it this far!
Laptop CPU Upgrade (Banias to Dothan)
The biggest "performance-gain" if you upgrade would be the increase of cache. If I remember correctly Dothan uses 1 - 2mb of L2 cache. While the Banias CPU uses 512kb - 1mb. However, as I have learned, the higher cache the lower speed of the buses actually shipping data back and forth from the cache.
Right now you have a 1,6 centrino and upgrading to a 2.0 centrino would give you a performance-boost. Also, I actually think you would benefit with more cache, since your RAM-setup and FSB are already at the same level as Dothan busses.
Right now you have a 1,6 centrino and upgrading to a 2.0 centrino would give you a performance-boost. Also, I actually think you would benefit with more cache, since your RAM-setup and FSB are already at the same level as Dothan busses.
Hi Linzatti, thanks for the reply!
I just got a reply from www.totis.co.uk
I've been quoted £226.44 (incl Vat) for the 2.0Ghz Dothan, £45 for fitting the cpu, and £10 + Vat to return it back to me.
Does this sound reasonable to you? Or should I just "live" with my 1.6 for the next year or so?
I'm really not sure. Help!
hehe
no seriously, I am quite lost. I could definately use more juice, and while it would give that, I'm not really quite sure what could crop up next year, i mean, "dual core" centrino's are around the corner. With that in mind, this laptop would lose even more resale value once those are released now wouldn't it?
I just got a reply from www.totis.co.uk
I've been quoted £226.44 (incl Vat) for the 2.0Ghz Dothan, £45 for fitting the cpu, and £10 + Vat to return it back to me.
Does this sound reasonable to you? Or should I just "live" with my 1.6 for the next year or so?
I'm really not sure. Help!
hehe
no seriously, I am quite lost. I could definately use more juice, and while it would give that, I'm not really quite sure what could crop up next year, i mean, "dual core" centrino's are around the corner. With that in mind, this laptop would lose even more resale value once those are released now wouldn't it?
If you are doubting to buy it, don´t do it... Sure you will get a performance boost, but we are not talking giant leaps here 
. Around £250 for the CPU (incl VAT and fitting) sounds a bit pricey, if not a bit wastey if you are planning on upgrading in a year or so. The dualcore centrino is promised to deliver greater performance with longer battery-life. If I were you, I would save the cash, upgrading in a year or so.
. Around £250 for the CPU (incl VAT and fitting) sounds a bit pricey, if not a bit wastey if you are planning on upgrading in a year or so. The dualcore centrino is promised to deliver greater performance with longer battery-life. If I were you, I would save the cash, upgrading in a year or so.
... My guesses however would be summer or early autumn 2006. Think they´ll cost quite a lot in their early stages though. 
