How I upgraded my R61i CPU to a T7300

OK here is a quick pdf guide on how I replaced the T5250(1.5GHz/2MB/667FSB CPU with a T7300(2.0GHz/4MB/800FSB CPU on my R61i.
I hope you find it entertaining.

P.S. This is a duplication of my earlier post.

 

Awesome steve p. I will definitely be using this to upgrade my girlfriend's Dell. Thanks!

 

Hi there, i think you have 14.1", right? But my question is, I have lenovo r61i but 15.4, with T5250. Do you think, that T7300 will work with it? Type of notebook is 8932-AEG. Thank you a lot.

 

I don't see why it wouldn't, but are you doing anything were you need it? For most people a faster hard drive is a better upgrade.

 

you mean 7.2krpm instead of 5.4krmp ? But how is it with power consumption? I have a great offer on T7300 so in case of that Iam asking.

 

Yes. Here's the thing, most everyday tasks like Office, Internet, Media, etc., don't push the CPU much. Whether it's a P9600, T7200 or in your case T5250 is irrelevant because the CPU isn't working anywhere near it's full capacity. There are some things like coding video or crunching databases where the faster CPU will offer better performance because the CPU is running at full bore, but how often are you doing those things?

A faster hard drive offers better seek times and throughput, how fast things can be found and read. It's much more like to make your machine seem faster than a CPU upgrade. Apps are a bit quicker when clicked on, Windows boots faster, etc. The battery life difference is very small if any. I would also note if your machine is still under warranty and you upgrade the CPU you will have voided your warranty, not so with the hard drive.

I actually upgraded my R60 to a T7400 from a T2300e. For most things you can't tell a difference. I only did it cause I got it for $25. If you can get it for around that price then maybe it's worth it, but if you're spending $80+, the hard drive money better spent.

 

I'd love to do something like this. Only thing is, processor prices seem pretty high. Anywhere to get them cheaply?

 

Post over in the Marketplace forum you're looking for a CPU. Perhaps someone has upgraded their machine and would like to sell their old CPU. Also you can sell your old CPU once you upgrade it to offset the cost.

Which CPU do you have? As I stated earlier, unless you have a specific need, an upgrade to a faster hard drive or SSD is probably a better use of your money.

 

Thanks ZaZ.

I have the T5250 (1.5GHz/2MB/667FSB CPU) that the OP had. I just bought a WD Scorpio Blue 500 GB HDD which should be coming next week and I also installed 4gb RAM. I think those two upgrades should make a nice difference, wouldn't you?

But I'm wondering if the T5250 will be able to run 64 bit Vista as well. I'd like to use the laptop for some photo editing in CS4.

 

Remember, according to Zaz, the T5250 is not being hit real hard. Measure it and find out and report back to us.
-Renee

 

Thanks Renee.

What do you suggest testing the CPU with? Any programs you like?

I have a copy of PC Check, but not sure if it'll give me the answer I seek.

 

What are you doing with your machine?

 

Thanks, I did a search and found the same info.

Mostly multitasking between light web apps, Photoshop CS with RAW files and business apps. I run a small blog and do some photography as well. I'd like the machine to be snappy enough to not get bogged down with multiple windows/tasks running.

So far this memory upgrade is helping, though I know only 3.2 GB or so are actually being used by Vista 32 bit. And with the new HDD coming from that HP deal, I think I should be OK. Even though it's only 5200 RPM, it's supposed to be better than the one I currently have spec wise. I just worry that the CPU market will shrink if I wait. Would you guys upgrade the CPU, or wait?

 

The only thing in those where a better CPU may help is processing files in Photoshop, but it's not like the T5250 won't work, it'll be a bit slower. As I stated earlier in day to day tasks there will little difference in the CPUs.

If you want it to be snappy get a SSD. They offer lightening quick seek times. It much more than the CPU will make your machine seem quicker.

 

T5xxx in P socket format doesn't support VT, while the T5xxx in Socket M does.