HP HDX 16T Chipset and Acceptable Processors

[travisgarrison]

Since I looked for hours and couldn't find this information I thought I would post my findings.  I contacted Intel and here is what they said for the 16T with nVidia 130M Video Card:

- intel 4 Series PM45 Chipset (http://www.intel.com/products/notebook/chipsets/pm45/pm45-overview.htm)

- A list of acceptable processors is found here (http://ark.intel.com/chipset.aspx?familyID=35515) but I don't know which I/O Controller is on the board.  The Device Manager lists a ICH9M.  I'll have to do some research to figure out exactly which processors will work.

[travisgarrison · Accepted solution]

OK, so I installed CPU-Z which ID's the chipset as an Intel 82PM45 (AKA Series 4 PM45) and the southbridge as 82801M (AKA ICH9-M)

This means that according to the intel Specs, the listing of acceptable processors is as follows:

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9800 (6M Cache, 2.93 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9900 (6M Cache, 3.06 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P9500 (6M Cache, 2.53 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P9600 (6M Cache, 2.66 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P9700 (6M Cache, 2.80 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9400 (6M Cache, 2.53 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9550 (6M Cache, 2.66 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9600 (6M Cache, 2.80 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P8800 (3M Cache, 2.66 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P8400 (3M Cache, 2.26 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P8600 (3M Cache, 2.40 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P8700 (3M Cache, 2.53 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

The list that is found in the HP Service Manual lists more:

Intel Core2 Duo T9800 2.93-GHz processor with 6-MB L2 cache and 1066-MHz FSB 507951-001
Intel Core2 Duo T9600 2.80-GHz processor with 6-MB L2 cache and 1066-MHz FSB 500604-001
Intel Core2 Duo T9550 2.66-GHz processor with 6-MB L2 cache and 1066-MHz FSB 507953-001
Intel Core2 Duo T9500 2.53-GHz processor with 6-MB L2 cache and 1066-MHz FSB 500603-001
Intel Core2 Duo T8700 2.53-GHz processor with 3-MB L2 cache and 1066-MHz FSB 507960-001
Intel Core2 Duo T8600 2.40-GHz processor with 3-MB L2 cache and 1066-MHz FSB 500601-001
Intel Core2 Duo T8400 2.26-GHz processor with 3-MB L2 cache and 1066-MHz FSB 500600-001
Intel Core2 Duo T6600 2.20-GHz processor with 3-MB L2 cache and 1066-MHz FSB 513591-001
Intel Core2 Duo T7550 2.13-GHz processor with 3-MB L2 cache and 1066-MHz FSB 500605-001
Intel Core2 Duo T6400 2.06-GHz processor with 3-MB L2 cache and 1066-MHz FSB 513593-001
Intel Core2 Duo T7350 2.00-GHz processor with 3-MB L2 cache and 1066-MHz FSB 503392-001

The 'P' processors use a lower wattage and smaller max voltage.  The HP chat support agent didn't think there would be any problems using them.  The chat support agent also said that a processor upgrade would void warranty.  While I don't think that's true, I'm obligated to pass that warning along.  I guarantee that if you break something while taking the laptop apart or putting it together, it will void your warranty for sure.

NOTE: I'm not guaranteeing anything.  I'm getting ready to order a P9700 to test it and I'll report back.  The P9700 isn't as fast as the T9800 or T9900 on Intel's list but it has a lower power consumption (28W vs 35W) and is a lot cheaper ($360 vs $500)

For those of you wondering about the use of Quad core and intel Extreme Processors, they all use 44W-45W which is different from the 35W processors ship.  This likely means that Quad core won't work, although you really wouldn't want to use them anyway because they draw significantly greater power and reduce battery life to nothing.

[travisgarrison]

Just installed the Intel P9700 and 8GB of DDR2-800 (PC2-6400) RAM.  This thing screams! An immediate 20% overall rating increase with Passmark PerformanceTest.  There was a 25% increase in overall processing power and it uses 20% less power.

[wkimbroughjr]

Where did you buy your Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P9700 (6M Cache, 2.80 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB) from and around what

price was it? 

[travisgarrison]

eBay for $318.  It is a QMLA version which are the chips that Intel sends to OEM's to do their testing.  There is a bit of risk in those but they had done stress testing of their own and guaranteed that it would be fine.  I did burn-in testing when I got it and it ran like a champ.  There are several on eBay now... I even see some OEM ones that aren't QMLA... looks like their going for around $340 now.

[wkimbroughjr]

Thanks for the info, I have the HDX 16t 1200 CTO Premium with  an Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P7450 (3M Cache, 2.13 MHz, 1066 MHz FSB) & 512MB Graphics chip. i want to upgrade my CPU to one of the P9000 series either the

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P9700 (6M Cache, 2.80 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB or the

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P9600 (6M Cache, 2.66 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB or the

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P9500 (6M Cache, 2.53 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB) .

I know what OEM stands for but what does QMLA means?

And do you know what the risk is? I really do appreciate the help.

P.S.  I also have 8GB of RAM installed and a 320GB HDD 7200rpm.

[travisgarrison]

I don't remember what QMLA stands for but they are the quality assurance chips that intel sends to OEM's (Dell, HP, etc) for testing to check compatibility and run their own testing.

The risk is that the processor does not come with an Intel 3 year warranty since they aren't meant for resale.  From Intel's point of view they would say the QMLA chips should not be used, but in reality, there shouldn't be any difference. 

The way I made my decision was based on the sellers guarantee and my own burn in testing.  Since my seller was willing to make a complete refund on the chip, I figured relatively low risk.  With electronics, they typically either last a long time, or crap out right away.

The only way that Intel will warranty these chips anyway is if you purchase a retail version.  OEM versions are warranteed by the OEM and since those OEM's are pulls from working laptops, they aren't going to replace them if the chip goes bad anyway unless you purchase the laptop.

In the end, make sure the seller is very reputable.  Deal with North American sellers if you can (although I purchased mine from a Taiwan located seller)

[travisgarrison]

Hey, can you do me a favor and run a program called CPU-Z (http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php) and tell me what you see on the memory tab next to frequency?  When I installed the 8GB of RAM it downclocked my memory to 333MHz instead of 400MHz

[wkimbroughjr]

Thanks alot you are a big help I've been wanting to get that CPU-Z thing but never knew how.  Okay to answer your question

mine reads DRAM Frequency 399.0 MHz.  I took a picture so you could see the stats but i don't know how to upload it.

Anyway I went to ebay as you suggested and found them but because my money was funny I couldn't afford one, however

Amazon.com had an  Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P9500 (6M Cache, 2.53 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB) OEM of course for $129.00 and since I've done business with that particular company before I"ll take a chance.

Nevertheless if you could tell me how to upload pics I would like to share with you my computer's stats.

And again THANKS!

,  

[travisgarrison]

OK, so this means there are two things that are good news here.  One is that it must be my particular RAM that is being downclocked.  Did you buy it with 8GB already installed or did you upgrade?  If the latter, can you tell me the manufacturer and the model of the RAM?  Also can I just verify that you are using an HDX 16T?

OK, the other good news is that the processor you got only uses 25W instead of 28W of the P9700 which was already lower than the 35W your original processor uses.  This means less energy being sucked and therefore longer battery life.  The processor while not as fast as the P9700 is less than half the cost and still considerably faster than your current processor.  Good choice (wo)man.

Have you disassembled a laptop before?  These HP's are quite a bit more work than other laptops but all you need is a #1 and #0 sized phillips screwdriver (precision screwdriver kit) and a small flathead screwdriver.  It might also help to have a piece of paper and pen to take notes about which screws go where.  There are three different size screws and you don't want to mix them up.