Dell D500 CPU Upgrade

Just wondering whats the fastest cpu I can drop into this notebook. Current laptop specs are pentium 4-M 1.3 ghz (Banias) 400mhz FSB L2 Cache 1mb

 

I believe the fastest banias PM is 1.7GHz

 

so I couldn't upgrade to a dothan core? 2.4ghz say? I know the FSB is 533mhz on the dothan but wouldn't the 855gm chipset just throttle it back to 400mhz???

 

Ok well I did some research and it seems there are 2 types of dothan cores? 1 with 400mhz FSB support and the other with 533mhz FSB. The only major difference between the banias and the dothan cores is the Mfg tech 1.3nm and 90nm? Also the L2 cache on the dothan is 2mb compared to the 1mb of the banias? Please someone step in anytime if I am wrong (Most probably) http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/271/3 & http://processorfinder.intel.com/List.aspx?ProcFam=942&sSpec=&OrdCode=
So if all this info is right I am looking at getting: SL7EN 745 CPU which seems the best bang for your buck at around $50 USD and should give me around 30% to 40% performance increase. So what do you think??

 

Unfortunately your chipset on the D500 won't support Dothan Pentium-Ms, not even the 400MHz FSB ones. They are based on a different manufacturing process and run on different chipsets (Intel 855 vs Intel 915).

The fastest you could get would be the Banias 1.7GHz.

 

Anybody else tried this for there laptop I just have some conflicting opinions.

"Yes, you can install and run a Dothan core Pentium-M in your system with no problems whatsoever. Just make sure you flash the BIOS with one of the latest which adds support (I think A08, A09, A10). I have just flashed bios with A10

 

Different chipset...won't work.

 

just found this link very interesting eh? http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com/open_archives/sl_20070205.php

 

If that's correct IBM released a BIOS flash to make the new chips compatible. If Dell did the same you might be in luck, otherwise, probably not.

 

Dothan on the 855 definitely can work, provided you have BIOS support. And it's worth it. I have two Latitude D400 laptops. One with a Banias 1.7 GHz and the other with a Dothan 1.8 GHz. The Dothan is noticibly better in video and if you're power conscious I can run the Dothan @ 1.4 GHz for same power as the Banias @ 1 GHz. I use RMClock to set Vcores and clock speeds.

This means you can potentially go to 2 GHz, the fastest 400 MHz bus Dothan. You wont be able to use a 533 MHz FSB Dothan. Also check your board to see if your CPU is welded to it. Mine is.

 

nice! well I have the latest bios for the dell d500 A10 and in previous versions it said it updated support for newer cpu's. Also I checked out dells service manual and the cpu is defiantly removable and not soldered to the motherboard

 

You should be golden for the upgrade.

 

well fingers crossed, will let you know how it goes next week when artic 5 thermal paste and new cpu arrive

 

I can confirm as of today I replaced the old banias cpu with the new dothan cpu works a treat!

 

Good news! What speed Dothan did you get?

 

1.8mhz Happy man

 

Hello,

I just want to thank you for this information. I have followed your lead and installed Dothan 1.8 (SL7EN) in my D500. I originally had a 1.4 Banias. All I can say is wow - what a difference.

I emailed Dell in the hope they'd give me a list of compatible processors, but this is the best they could do:

"Thank you for contacting Dell Hardware E-Support.

I sincerely apologize for delay in response. Your email had reached the wrong department due to technical snag. It is only today that we have received your email.

We appreciate the opportunity to assist you and I assure you it is our hope that you have a positive experience with our company.

I understand from your mail message that you wish to know about compatible processor for your Dell system.

As per our records 1.3 GHz, 1.4 GHz, 1.5 GHz, 1.6 GHz Pentium M processors are compatible.

In order to assist you with a resolution, I would recommend that you contact the Sales Department. The Sales Department will be able to answer any questions about a product, make recommendations on items that will meet your needs, and provide pricing and availability information.

The Sales Department UK can be reached at 0870 9074000.
The Part Sales Department Ireland can be reached at (01) 2044007."

I would be interested to hear if anyone had tried a SL7EN or SL7V3. I think I will be buying another laptop next time I feel the need for an upgrade - but it's always good to know your options.

 

Good info. The Dothan at 400mhz FSB as far as I know, topped out at 2.1ghz, but those are pretty darn rare and hard to find, as well as expensive. I had an alienware m3200 12.1" notebook before that had a 2.0ghz dothan on the 855 chipset.