Upgrade questions : CPU / RAM / SSD

[D-Tel]

Hi,

first time here. I hope there are still some genius out there that may help me.

I have a HP Pavilion DV7-1174ca bought new in 2009. It's getting slow since a couple years, and I tried to find some information about upgrading it, but can't find anything on the Web. I have a couple questions : 

• Would an SSD would increase significantly the speed, enough to use my laptop daily in 2020...?
  
  
• If I want to upgrade the CPU (currently Intel T5800), what are the CPU's that could be compatible?
  • Is there a list still available somewhere for compatible CPU's for my computer?
  • Would an Intel P9600 or P9700 would be compatible? A good option? Is it the best compatible CPU?
• I upgraded my RAM (got 8GB instead of 4GB)  like 5 years ago, and I just realized that it is 400Mhz, but my original RAM was 800Mhz.
  • Does that have a negative impact on the speed of my laptop?
  • Could this make the computer/the CPU overheat?
  • Should I/does it worth going back to 800MHz buying another 8GB RAM set?
    
    
• Also, just a general computer question : does the RAM memory necessarly have to fit the CPU FSB speed?

Hope I don't bother anyone with all my questions and my old laptop... I know there are many options now for around +/-$300, but as I have it anyway, I want to have fun and give it a try.

Thank you so much for anyone that could help me!

Here are my current specs :

HP Pavilion DV7-1174ca

Motherboard : Compal 30F4 

Bios : HP Version F.13, date 10/01/2008

CPU : Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 2.0Ghz

RAM : Samsung 2 x 4GB 400Mhz DDR2

OS : Windows 7 64 bit

[Huffer]

An SSD increase is the best single thing you can do. Your laptop holds 2 hard drives so very easy to add a 2.5 inch SATA SSD. It is the one upgrade available to you that will make that classic machine a 2020 daily driver. 

It would take a T9600 as the highest possible upgrade, not a 9700. "T" not "P" I have disassembled that model more than a few times and it is not the easiest. Several daughterboards with connecting ribbon cables to the motherboard and in some cases to each other so keeping track of cables and screws is a challenge. But for you the heatsink and fan would be the same so a T9600 is a drop in upgrade. T9400 is also an option but these CPUs are so cheap now if you are going to do this you might as well go for the gold as they say. The upgrade in performance will be somewhat noticeable. The T9600 was a very good processor in its day.

You have maxxed the memory. The memory is DDR2-800 SO-DIMM. It is double data rate so the true speed is 400 but its called 800 because it grabs data twice each cycle. So your memory is the largest amount you can install and the fastest speed already. 

So let us know if you need more help and please accept as solution if this is the info you needed. 

[D-Tel]

Hi Huffer,

Wow! thank you for this helpful information. I really appreciate it.

About the CPU name, why do you say it's "T" and not "P"?

Is that TDP is related to the motherboard? So I would be forced to stay in "T" models? 

What would happen if I would take a "P"9600?

The list I find on the Internet shows that

"processor numbers included one-letter prefix, that indicated maximum Thermal Design Power:

P - mobile power-optimized processor with TDP in the range of 20 - 29 Watt.

T - mobile microprocessor with TDP in the range of 30 - 39 Watt."

What does the Front Side Bus of the CPU is for? Does it have to match the speed of the RAM or a spec of the motherboard?

Current FSB of my T5800 is 800Mhz, while T9600 and P9600 are 1066Mhz.

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

T9600 and P9600 are different processors and the motherboard is designed for the T9600. When I told you its compatible that included all the issues of FSB, voltage etc. So no the FSB of the CPU does not NECESSARILY have to match the speed of the RAM. It's all about how the engineers designed the motherboard. 

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/35563/intel-core-2-duo-processor-t9600-6m-cache...

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/37266/intel-core-2-duo-processor-p9600-6m-cache...

[D-Tel]

Ok, so I'll consider T9600 is my best upgrade possible for my laptop.

I think I'll start a new post to learn more about CPU's detailed specs to consider for compability check with a motherboard/RAM.

Last question : is that upgrading to Windows 10 would help for this laptop, or not?
I read that going to Win10 is not necessarily suggested for older computers, and that their architecture may result in a not better or even lower speed with Win10 versus Win7.

Thank you again for your advices that are so helpful for me!

[Huffer]

Windows 7 64 bit is the optimum OS for that laptop due to some driver issues on Windows 10. 

If this all answers your questions please consider accepting as solution. Your questions about compatibility of the processor are already covered in the links I have given and if you post another question I will likely just answer there. Anyway good luck with your project. 

[D-Tel]

Hi Huffer,

ok, that's what I thought for Windows 10.

Thank you for all your answers and your precious help.

I already planned to accept your answers "as solution", but as I'm new on the forum, I didn't know if it was going to lock and close the subject, so I wanted to wait for your last reply.

Thank you again!

PS: don't worry for the disassembling, I already did disassemble entirely the laptop a couple years ago to fix a chip that had burned because of a shorcut from the aftermarket battery. 😉 

[Huffer]

Then you are going to be fine. Good luck