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What is the fastest CPU for a T40 and looking to buy one

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:06 pm
by scosgt1
Anyone know what is the fastest CPU that works in a T40 system (currently running 1.5 Ghz centrino)?
Nothing that needs mods, I assume it works with 1.7 Ghz, will any faster work, and if so, does anyone have one for sale?
Remember, this is an original T40 board, so might not support the same CPU as a T42?

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:26 pm
by aaa
It supports the same CPUs as the T42 I think.
The only issue (for all T4x's except the T43) are:

Pentium Ms, not P4's obviously.
No 533, only 400.
No C0 stepping (7x5a instead of 7x5), as you'll have to mess around for them to work properly.

The fastest is 2.1ghz, but it's horribly expensive (150-200). So people aim at 1.8/2.0 which end up around 60. There's also someone selling a 1.6ghz for $22 on this forum.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:30 pm
by NorrisCell
Agreed. The 1.8 is what I picked up for my T40, as it was the best balance between performance and cost. About $60 will get you one usually.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:45 pm
by scosgt1
Any thoughts on how much benefit there is to go from 1.5 to 1.8?
I am doing mostly .avi work, so it is CPU intensive.
Just wondering if it is worth it.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:53 pm
by NorrisCell
1.5 Banias to 1.8 Dothan was the exact switch I did on my T40. There was a very large increase in performance with anything video related, whether it be viewing or editing. Well worth the money.

I also noticed a decrease in CPU temp too, but that might be because I redid my thermal grease with AS5 at the same time.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:13 pm
by RoadHazard
Well. If you plan to keep the laptop for a long time, I say go for 2.1GHz. For CPU intensive apps, I think it's worth the price.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:49 pm
by ajkula66
There is a slight difference in performance between 1.8 and 2.0/2.1...but:

2.1 will be very hot in a 14" cage.

2.0 will be cooler and I guarantee that you (or anyone else for that fact) won't be able to tell the difference.

1.8 is probably the best combination of price, reliability and performance. And, it's heaven and earth when compared with 1.5 Banias that you're running now.

If you need all the power you can get you're better off with a different board and 533Mhz FSB...but my guess is that you'll be OK with 1.8 on a T40 board.

Just my $0.02

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:19 pm
by brentpresley
ajkula66 wrote:There is a slight difference in performance between 1.8 and 2.0/2.1...but:

2.1 will be very hot in a 14" cage.

2.0 will be cooler and I guarantee that you (or anyone else for that fact) won't be able to tell the difference.

1.8 is probably the best combination of price, reliability and performance. And, it's heaven and earth when compared with 1.5 Banias that you're running now.

If you need all the power you can get you're better off with a different board and 533Mhz FSB...but my guess is that you'll be OK with 1.8 on a T40 board.

Just my $0.02
Agreed on all of this, but just for the record the Long Fan of the T4x can cool the 765 (2.1GHz). Ran a 765 for 1 year w/ this and it was great.

You can also use NHC to reduce the voltages and gain a LOT of control over the thermals.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:35 pm
by synchromesh
Check your local craigslist. I managed to snag a brand new P-M 735 (1.73GHz) for $65 for my Mini PC. It was the boxed version too. These bargains can happen.

If you can't find anything cheap enough I have a 1.7GHz Dothan I can sell for $45 shipped.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:54 pm
by KristianJ
ajkula66 wrote:
If you need all the power you can get you're better off with a different board and 533Mhz FSB...but my guess is that you'll be OK with 1.8 on a T40 board.
An extra advantage would be the higher grade GPU, which for video editing would always come in handy. Not that I do much of it myself though...