Old Laptop, New CPU Help?

[Marcus Geezer]

Hiya,

I've decided I need a laptop and was about to start considering which laptop to buy, when my ever practical wife reminded me that her old laptop is doing nowt and may be of use. Rather than dismissing this suggestion and losing brownie points I had a look at it and it seems to meet basically what I am after, which is really just to run as a mobile back-up, tethering, basic lightroom editing, and general browsing.

One thing I'm considering however is a CPU upgrade, but struggling a little to understand exactly what I can upgrade it to. The machine is a Dell Inspiron 1525 running an Intel TM2 Duo CPU T5800 2Ghz. From research I believe this is an LGA775 socket.

Having looked extensively online I have identified a number of Duo Core CPU's at 3.0Ghz which are socket 775, but the boxes state desktop on them rather than laptop? I would have thought that if it fits the 775 socket then it is ok but not sure to be honest?

Help please!!!!

 

[neil_g]

i wouldnt even bother to be honest, even if you could find a compatible CPU list for the board (you cant just whack any old CPU in) in the laptop you probably wouldn't see any benefit.

desktop CPU often have higher power consumption/needs than mobile versions.

 

[arad85]

The "socket" refers to the socket shape. A laptop is just as likely to have the processor soldered down, not socketed (reduces cost)....

Don't bother, buy new.

 

[Marcus Geezer]

i wouldnt even bother to be honest, even if you could find a compatible CPU list for the board (you cant just whack any old CPU in) in the laptop you probably wouldn't see any benefit.

desktop CPU often have higher power consumption/needs than mobile versions.

The "socket" refers to the socket shape. A laptop is just as likely to have the processor soldered down, not socketed (reduces cost)....

Don't bother, buy new.

The laptop does what it needs to do to be honest, and having a look around was hoping that for no more than about £30 could make it just a touch quicker. I'll follow your advice gents and leave it as it is, and other than having to buy a new battery (sub £20) will run it to destruction now.

The only negative really is it runs Vista and I'm not going to spend money on an upgraded OS......

 

[neil_g]

vista should be fine, what spec is the machine?

 

[Marcus Geezer]

vista should be fine, what spec is the machine?

Dell Inspiron 1525
2Ghz Duo Core CPU
3Gb RAM
320Gb HD (about 280Gb free)
15 inch screen
Vista OS

Not sure what else to say about it to be honest. I've recently re-installed the OS back to factory just to give it as fresh start and although it isn't mega quick it does the job even running Photoshop CS5. I'd like to hope I'm never gonna rely on this solely for image processing, just basic stuff as noted above.

 

[arad85]

PC speed is relative and depends on your expectations....

 

[Marcus Geezer]

PC speed is relative and depends on your expectations....

My expectation is that it switches on in less than a few minutes and that it functions with the applications I'd expect it to, which I believe it will, so I'm happy.

When it eventually falls by the way side, I'll invest in a new machine.