Question CPU upgrade for HP Pavilion Dv4 1190el?

[RyanKingLion]

Hi everyone!

I have this laptop which I was given by a friend and use as a backup pc for emergency (e.g I don't have a DVD writer on my ultrabook), plus my mom uses it for writing now and then with LibreOffice... I would like to speed it up a bit, cause even on Windows 7 it's very slow on boot and opening programs. It's in perfect conditions and has 4GB of RAM so... I think it might be a good idea to upgrade the CPU and mount an SSD. Problem now is I can't find anything really helpful for compatibility of the CPU - Intel suggests I might try a Core2Duo T9500 or T7800 but I don't know if they are compatible with the chipset and the whole motherboard... Any suggestions? Budget for new CPU is around 40$

 

[kanewolf]

Laptops are not great candidates for CPU replacement. Start with the SSD. It is simple. Then go for 8GB RAM. Those two things will probably make as much performance difference as a CPU swap.

 

[BFG-9000]

Old socketed laptops are actually great candidates for CPU upgrades. It's just that more modern laptops are usually soldered.

In any case the service guide suggests all Intel DV4 laptops support 1066FSB CPUs, which is great because those are way cheaper used than 800MHz FSB chips like the T9500. So there is no reason not to go for the top T9600.

All of the chipsets these DV4 came with support 8GB of DDR2 per Intel (the chipset manufacturer), but HP says 4GB is the maximum. This is one of those cases where you have to actually bring your laptop down to your local electronics recycler and try their 4GB So-DIMMs because it might well work with two--or only one, which would get you 6GB and is still a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[RyanKingLion]

Old socketed laptops are actually great candidates for CPU upgrades. It's just that more modern laptops are usually soldered.

In any case the service guide suggests all Intel DV4 laptops support 1066FSB CPUs, which is great because those are way cheaper used than 800MHz FSB chips like the T9500. So there is no reason not to go for the top T9600.

All of the chipsets these DV4 came with support 8GB of DDR2 per Intel (the chipset manufacturer), but HP says 4GB is the maximum. This is one of those cases where you have to actually bring your laptop down to your local electronics recycler and try their 4GB So-DIMMs because it might well work with two--or only one, which would get you 6GB and is still a worthwhile upgrade.

Thanks A LOT! That service guide is exactly what I needed <3 I'm buying a T9600 then and an SSD. Your answer came just at the point I was thinking of sending the whole thing to the "local electronics recycler" xD