Upgrading a laptop's CPU????

Memnoch · 11-02-2006, 05:50 AM

G'day everyone. I bought myself a Sony VAIO VGN-S48GP/B in Australia back in June 2005 (about 16 months ago). This is pretty similar to the VGN series in the US. It had the following specs:

2Ghz Pentium M (rated at 2.99Mhz)
1Gb DDR2 RAM
Nvidia Go6200 w/Turbocache (128MB dedicated memory with additional shared from RAM)
13.3" screen
60GB HD

Apparently it's now obsolete from a gaming POV, though it's still doing OK from a business apps POV. I ran NWN2 on it tonight and it was as slow as a dog - I had to turn heaps of things off and NWN2 looked like Ultima 5. Rather than chucking it out and getting a new one (since I rather like it), I was wondering if upgrading the processor and increasing the RAM was a viable option? I know I can expand the RAM to 2GB, but is it possible to upgrade the processors of these Sony's? I'm pretty sure I can't upgrade to a Core 2 processor, but would I be able to get a better Pentium M processor?

And I don't suppose it's possible to upgrade the video card? Though if I get more RAM in theory that should increase the available RAM for the Go6200?

Any advice would be appreciated. I've upgraded my desktops before but this is the first time I've considered upgrading my laptop.

Winter Wolf · 11-02-2006, 07:20 AM

Generally speaking, you can't do what you want. The parts in laptops are all soldered onto the main board. I've been using laptops for a good looong time now and though I haven't seen the latest generation of laptops in all their glory, I doubt so much has changed.

I am the bearer of bad news.

ElfBane · 11-02-2006, 07:30 AM

You can probably upgrade the RAM, and that *might* help out. The extra RAM will help the CPU do the background things and leave more processing power for the game. HOWEVER, if NWN2 requires a near state-of-the art video card, you are out of luck,,,UNLESS the game software allows you to *dumb down* the graphics features.
HTH.

P.S. The extra RAM will help with other apps of your laptop, even if it doesn't help with the game.

Ilander · 11-02-2006, 11:48 AM

I think the deciding factor here is that you're using a Pentium M processor. My laptop, which uses a socket 478 processor, allows for the its replacement, although I would never take the thing apart (again) to accomplish that feat.

Pentium M's, though, I've always heard, are soldered into their motherboards. If you can solder like an expert, maybe you could do it, but I cannot advise it.

The "Graphics card" for you is likely just a chip on the motherboard itself that has 128 Mb of RAM between itself and your system RAM.

I actually don't think that upgrading your system RAM is going to help out either, and I'll tell you why. Some research has told me that Turbocache graphics cards are often misrepresented in advertisement. 128 Mb is the maximum RAM it can use, and it only has 32 Mb of RAM onboard. The rest is stolen from system RAM to bring it up to 128.

That means that adding more RAM won't give you more space for graphics. It'll decrease your use of hard drive caching, but that's not typically a concern with 1 Gb or RAM or more.

Sadly, I don't think you have any real upgrade options here.

Harkoliar · 11-02-2006, 11:29 PM

hmmm.. yeah i remember reading those turbercache graphics card. Very decieving..

Memnoch · 11-03-2006, 12:02 AM

I checked out the Notebook Review site and confirmed what Ilander said, unfortunately. Anyway, I'm starting to look around to see if I can upgrade my VAIO (amazing having to upgrade it after 1 1/2 years). I want another VAIO if possible, so I was looking at the SonyStyle site to see what the prices were like.

I noticed that their VGN series now has Core 2 duo processors, and most have 2GB RAM. But the difference between a 2.33GHZ and a 2Ghz Core 2 Duo processor is $500 - is this worth it to get an additional .33Ghz?? I'm not sure.

Ilander · 11-03-2006, 01:43 AM

I dunno, they say that Core 2 Duo are amazing in their abilities...if that's true, then .33 GHz would make much more of a difference than .33 in a Pentium M, or .33 in a Pentium 4.

$500 is a lot of money (to me) though, and I'd probably get the lower one...but I have my own opinions on PCs...

They include:
1) Laptops are for office tasks, internet browsing, and media-playing.
2) Desktops are for office tasks, internet browsing, media-playing, storing data, and gaming.
3) Avoid opening your laptop at all costs, because the darned things are complicated, and are a headache to disassemble.
4) Never burn a CD(or DVD) in your laptop's optical drive.

Might just be because I have a crappy laptop, but I never did really think so, until I got my desktop.

I do stick by 1) and 2), though...I can no longer imagine gaming on my laptop. I played Baldur's Gate I and II on it, and Morrowind, but it couldn't handle KOTOR, so I switched, and haven't gamed on it since then.

All that aside, yeah, .33 GHz on the Core 2 Duo is going to give you a 17% speed boost, cutting your processing time by nearly a fifth. I think you'd notice.

SpiritWarrior · 11-03-2006, 01:46 AM

But agreed, I wouldn't pay that for it. You can build a cheap desktop with that (not a gaming system but still, it bears notice).

11-02-2006, 05:50 AM	#1
Memnoch Ironworks Moderator Join Date: February 28, 2001 Location: Boston/Sydney Posts: 11,771	G'day everyone. I bought myself a Sony VAIO VGN-S48GP/B in Australia back in June 2005 (about 16 months ago). This is pretty similar to the VGN series in the US. It had the following specs: 2Ghz Pentium M (rated at 2.99Mhz) 1Gb DDR2 RAM Nvidia Go6200 w/Turbocache (128MB dedicated memory with additional shared from RAM) 13.3" screen 60GB HD Apparently it's now obsolete from a gaming POV, though it's still doing OK from a business apps POV. I ran NWN2 on it tonight and it was as slow as a dog - I had to turn heaps of things off and NWN2 looked like Ultima 5. Rather than chucking it out and getting a new one (since I rather like it), I was wondering if upgrading the processor and increasing the RAM was a viable option? I know I can expand the RAM to 2GB, but is it possible to upgrade the processors of these Sony's? I'm pretty sure I can't upgrade to a Core 2 processor, but would I be able to get a better Pentium M processor? And I don't suppose it's possible to upgrade the video card? Though if I get more RAM in theory that should increase the available RAM for the Go6200? Any advice would be appreciated. I've upgraded my desktops before but this is the first time I've considered upgrading my laptop. __________________

11-02-2006, 07:20 AM	#2
Winter Wolf Manshoon Join Date: November 4, 2004 Location: Shanghai, China Posts: 226	Generally speaking, you can't do what you want. The parts in laptops are all soldered onto the main board. I've been using laptops for a good looong time now and though I haven't seen the latest generation of laptops in all their glory, I doubt so much has changed. I am the bearer of bad news. __________________ Calling a person a dog is just about the worst insult I can think of. Dogs deserve better than that.

11-02-2006, 07:30 AM	#3
ElfBane Mephistopheles Join Date: March 21, 2004 Location: Cape Canaveral, FL Age: 70 Posts: 1,450	You can probably upgrade the RAM, and that might help out. The extra RAM will help the CPU do the background things and leave more processing power for the game. HOWEVER, if NWN2 requires a near state-of-the art video card, you are out of luck,,,UNLESS the game software allows you to dumb down the graphics features. HTH. P.S. The extra RAM will help with other apps of your laptop, even if it doesn't help with the game. __________________ They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790), Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759. Iraq and Afghan fatalities: 6,855 and counting. Silence IS consent.

11-02-2006, 11:48 AM	#4
Ilander 20th Level Warrior Join Date: December 28, 2003 Location: Kentucky Age: 39 Posts: 2,820	I think the deciding factor here is that you're using a Pentium M processor. My laptop, which uses a socket 478 processor, allows for the its replacement, although I would never take the thing apart (again) to accomplish that feat. Pentium M's, though, I've always heard, are soldered into their motherboards. If you can solder like an expert, maybe you could do it, but I cannot advise it. The "Graphics card" for you is likely just a chip on the motherboard itself that has 128 Mb of RAM between itself and your system RAM. I actually don't think that upgrading your system RAM is going to help out either, and I'll tell you why. Some research has told me that Turbocache graphics cards are often misrepresented in advertisement. 128 Mb is the maximum RAM it can use, and it only has 32 Mb of RAM onboard. The rest is stolen from system RAM to bring it up to 128. That means that adding more RAM won't give you more space for graphics. It'll decrease your use of hard drive caching, but that's not typically a concern with 1 Gb or RAM or more. Sadly, I don't think you have any real upgrade options here. __________________ Is that what you really want to say?

11-02-2006, 11:29 PM	#5
Harkoliar Jack Burton Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Philippines, but now Harbor City Sydney Age: 42 Posts: 5,556	hmmm.. yeah i remember reading those turbercache graphics card. Very decieving.. __________________ Catch me if you can..

11-03-2006, 12:02 AM	#6
Memnoch Ironworks Moderator Join Date: February 28, 2001 Location: Boston/Sydney Posts: 11,771	I checked out the Notebook Review site and confirmed what Ilander said, unfortunately. Anyway, I'm starting to look around to see if I can upgrade my VAIO (amazing having to upgrade it after 1 1/2 years). I want another VAIO if possible, so I was looking at the SonyStyle site to see what the prices were like. I noticed that their VGN series now has Core 2 duo processors, and most have 2GB RAM. But the difference between a 2.33GHZ and a 2Ghz Core 2 Duo processor is $500 - is this worth it to get an additional .33Ghz?? I'm not sure. __________________

11-03-2006, 01:43 AM	#7
Ilander 20th Level Warrior Join Date: December 28, 2003 Location: Kentucky Age: 39 Posts: 2,820	I dunno, they say that Core 2 Duo are amazing in their abilities...if that's true, then .33 GHz would make much more of a difference than .33 in a Pentium M, or .33 in a Pentium 4. $500 is a lot of money (to me) though, and I'd probably get the lower one...but I have my own opinions on PCs... They include: 1) Laptops are for office tasks, internet browsing, and media-playing. 2) Desktops are for office tasks, internet browsing, media-playing, storing data, and gaming. 3) Avoid opening your laptop at all costs, because the darned things are complicated, and are a headache to disassemble. 4) Never burn a CD(or DVD) in your laptop's optical drive. Might just be because I have a crappy laptop, but I never did really think so, until I got my desktop. I do stick by 1) and 2), though...I can no longer imagine gaming on my laptop. I played Baldur's Gate I and II on it, and Morrowind, but it couldn't handle KOTOR, so I switched, and haven't gamed on it since then. All that aside, yeah, .33 GHz on the Core 2 Duo is going to give you a 17% speed boost, cutting your processing time by nearly a fifth. I think you'd notice. __________________ Is that what you really want to say?

11-03-2006, 01:46 AM	#8
SpiritWarrior Jack Burton Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Ireland Posts: 5,854	But agreed, I wouldn't pay that for it. You can build a cheap desktop with that (not a gaming system but still, it bears notice). __________________ Still I feel like a child when I look at the moon, maybe I grew up a little too soon...

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