Upgrading Sony Vaio TX3: Processor Chip + Slot Loading DVD?

Would it be possible to upgrade the Intel Core Solo processor in the Sony Vaio TX3, to a Duo or Duo 2? Depending on if this is poss and how hard it is etc I might just get a computer repair shop to do it for me (but I'd prefer not 2...).

Also I'd like to upgrade the DVD-RW in the TX3 to a Slot Loading one, would this be possible?

Thanks in advance!

 

That cannot be done, in order to do that you need to change the whole motherboard.

 

No, I'm afraid upgrading both the processor and optical drive in this unit is impossible since it is so tiny and harder to upgrade than other larger conventional laptops. The Vaio TX uses ULV (ultra low voltage processors) and a Core 2 Duo ULV processor has not even been released so far and LV and ULV chips are soldered on the motherboard not socketed unlike regular processors.

 

There's a core Solo ULV? First I've heard of it!

As has been said, ULV cpus are usually soldered on to the motherboard rather than using a cpu socket to save space. This alongside the BIOS incompatability and likely cooling issues means that the cpu cannot be upgraded.

As for the dvd drive, it may be possible. What model of dvd drive does it have now?

 

Yep, the latest Vaio TXs use a Core Solo ULV processor as do several other notebooks. Some notebooks now also use and will be released with a Core Duo ULV chip.

The Vaio TXs use a Matshita/Matsushita drive, I think a UJ-832J or something along those lines. Its a different drive from most notebook drives as in its ultra slim to fit the thin case and so with this, I'm also quite sure upgrading it to a slot drive is impossible.

With notebooks as small as the TX, really only the hard drive and ram can be upgraded.

 

whats diff between LV and ULV? Any performance difference between them and regular centrino chips?

 

As the name implies they run on lower voltages which helps to decrease heat output/power consumption & are usually used in thin/light in some cases fanless notebooks. The regular Core Duo's have a TDP of 31W, the LV's are around ~15W & the ULV are even lower at 9W. The single core versions have even lower TDP then the dual cores. Currently the LV & ULV models are only available in the Core Duo variants. C2D versions arent yet released.

Clock for clock they offer the same performance as the regular Core Duo's but sicne they have to run at a very low voltages they do ot have the high clock speeds as the regular Core Duo's. The LV CD's top out at 1.8Ghz whereas the ULV's top out at 1.2GHz.

P.S - There is not such thing as a Centrino processor.

 

The current ULV Core Solos and Duos have a FSB of 533 mhz, whereas the LV and regular variants have 667 mhz FSB.

I have read that ULV chips can be overclocked fairly easily and safely is this true?

 

Depends on the chip. As a former ULV owner I'd say check stress temps before even trying. Mine would hit 75 degrees C on full moo so i'd say overclocking is a bad idea.

Also I think it depends very much on the cooling system.

Why, isn't 1.2GHz enough?

 

Not every chip is going to be a massive overclocker, in some cases it might be but given the cooling solution in most thin/light laptops, I would advise overclocking them.

 

Oh well! Looks like I'll just have to upgrade the RAM on it (but this prob wont make any difference cos the notebook won't be carrying out any memory-heavy tasks)... Thanks for all the help though!