E6420 Owner's Thread

Its restricted to 2nd generation as I already looked that up. I would not go extreme because the cooling abilities even with the best thermal paste is rather limited. From what I keep hearing, ivy bridge only gets around 5 to 15% better performance as shrinking the die only makes it go up higher in frequency. Im not sure about haswell. If your going for a quad with a 45watt limit, make sure you have the one with a duel heatsink. it should look like this, and it should be a straight plug and play.

http://img2.parts-people.com/products/TYP01.JPG

 

Awesome so sounds like these CPU are not recommended due to heating

Core i7-2960XM
Core i7-2920XM

And then the highest rated/recommended CPU would then be Core i7-2860QM + a duel heatsink if going with 45 w

Is that correct?

Actually just to add on, what is the part # or name for that duel heatsink?

Thanks so much

 

Hey,

just so you know, the graphic capability is kind of limited, assuming your sticking with integrated or nvs4200m. Yes the i7-2860 is the very possible best for this model. May I ask what your current cpu is, and if you have the nvidia chipset?

the duel heatsink is P/N: TYP01 CN-0TYP01 if your going for a used one, make sure that when you get it to make sure the copper sink where it contacts the die is smooth.

assuming you have the one with nvs4200m, I recommend buying a copper shim that is either .5mm, .6mm, or .4mm thick. You can buy a set of two for each one for one dollar on ebay shipped. I recommend going from the smallest to the thickest to see which one stays on when the heatsink screws are tightened. For me, the .5mm was optimal because I sanded down the copper on the cpu die portion just a little, so I think you should order all three I recommended. Once you have it thighten down, shake around the laptop to see if it stays in place. If it doesnt move, then thats the one. Remember to start from thinnest to thickest and do not go any thicker because it will offset even contact with the cpu die. You can do the same with the chipset die that has the blue thermal pad.

I only spent 250 on mine, and I have a 128gb ssd, nvs4200m, i7-2720qm, and 1600x900 screen. My point is that you may be spending alot unless you can get a very good deal on the 2860. May I ask why you want to upgrade so badly? If your going for the best cpu then you will need the fastest ram to accompany it too actually gain the best benefits from it. Probably the latest 2133mhz sodimm from kingston, which is the one im saving up for.

we can talk thermal thermal paste now, If you want instant best performance and dont mind changing it out occasionally, then Noctura nt-h1 is that because it works best on bare die. Be sure to tape down the copper shim on the chipset if you change that because it will move around under heat. Remember to clean it very well with isoprobyle alcohol or some proper cleaner meant for this. I have to use q-tips against my nail and eventually I stop one I stop seeing black. If you want a long term solution then use IC diamond, and remember to use the line method. I would go a little thicker than this around the middle if I where you.
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff305/amosingh/WP_000061.jpg

 

Hello
I would be interested in upgrading my E6420 from a 2520m to a 2860QM.
Except the processor, i only need the dual heatsink you described?
I haven't the nvs4200m but only the integrated GPU. Is it possible to upgrade like this? Or is it possible to add the video card if it is mandatory?
Thanks by advance.

 

All of the quads from Sandy and later have IGPs, so no, you don't need to have a dGPU mobo to use a 2860QM. The video card is soldered to the motherboard, so you'd need to change mobos to add the dGPU anyway.

 

Thanks Commander Wolf!
And i think the double heatsink needed for the 45W processors like 2860QM is the same (TYP01 CN-0TYP01), if you have the nvs4200m discretre GPU or not?
Just to avoid a mistake, as i haven't the video card on mine...

 

Has anyone replaced their outer bezel to the ATG bezel? I saw the ATG Bezel on eBay for $20 and wanted to upgrade my scratched up one.

New Dell Latitude E6420 ATG LCD Cover w No Hinges HJ7MY New | eBay

 

Hi;

I intend to change the HDD of my E6420. I would like to put a 2 TB HDD, and it's not easy to find SATA 2 (3 gb/s) of those; most are SATA 3 (6gb/s).

Do you think SATA 3 (6gb/s) can be managed by the E6420, or am I forced to put only a SATA 2 (3 gb/s) HDD?

 

The 6Gb/s drive should be able to run happily on the slower bus.
I bought one of those drive bays on eBay which allowed fitting a hard drive into the optical drive bay, and the 6Gb/s drive I used worked fine on the slower bus provided for the ODD

 

OK, many thanks speculatrix for your very quick answer. Thats's what I was foreseeing, but was not sure. I shall come back here tell the result.