T40 2373-72U CPU upgrade confusion

[PsychBiller]

I have a T40 2373-72U that is six years old and still going strong. I need to keep this machine running for at least another year, possibly two. This is my primary business computer.

I already upgraded the RAM to 2GB. I removed many startup programs and disabled unnecessary services.

I've been reading posts about replacing the 1.5GHz CPU with a 1.8 or 2.0, but I find these confusing. Certainly going from 1.5 to 2.0 should give me an observable boost in performance?

The CPU upgrade posts talk about Banias and Dothian and getting CPUs manufactured in the same year as the T40, and it all makes my head spin. In over 20 years of owning PCs and laptops (and spending a good bit of time inside of them), I've never upgraded a CPU.

I don't know if I have a Banias or a Dothian. I don't know what socket type I have and how to be sure I'm getting the right one on an upgrade.

I have never replaced the system fan, but would do so and add a heat sink, if necessary, to an upgraded CPU. I have cleaned out the system several times for dust.

Can someone kindly break this down into more specific steps? I'm looking at eBay, and just don't feel like I know enough to understand what I would be buying.

Thank you!

[ajkula66]

Here's Intel's Dothan range, 1.8 and up:

PM 745 - Intel SL7EN - 1.8 Ghz

PM 755 - Intel SL7EM - 2.0

PM 765 - Intel SL7V3 - 2.1

Hope this helps.

Use the HMM for your machine regarding the CPU swap, and don't forget to apply the thermal paste...

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46464

Before swapping the CPU I'd get a newer hard drive than the original one, since that is likely going to give you more of a speed boost...

Good luck.

[PsychBiller]

I've considered upgrading the hard drive since the original 40GB drive is a bit cramped, to say the least. There have been so many improvements to hard drive interfaces that I don't know what would work in an older machine like this. I don't need 500GB or anything like that.

[ajkula66]

If you're OK with 160GB, look for Samsung HM160HC they're about $55-60 on eBay brand new. I love them...and am not the only one.

Your machine calls for a PATA/IDE 9.5mm/2.5" laptop hard drive, not SATA of any kind.

[PsychBiller]

Thank you for the hard drive recommendation, ajkula66. Why do you like the Samsung HM160HC so much? 160GB is plenty for my purposes.

[ajkula66]

It's quiet, fast and reliable - in my experience - and I've installed several dozens of them on A3x, R4x/R5x and T4x units. No complaints this far from any of the customers who are currently in possession of these machines. YMMV.

[lukee]

I can also confirm, that Samsung HM160HC is a very good harddrive! Fast and silent for a reasonable price. Go get it

[T400plus]

I have just upgraded my T41.
step 1 ---Increase memory ---expensive old DDR1
step 2-- Get a faster hard disk ..less platter ...less heat
some of the diks (even 160 GB) generate a lot of heat while working...Segate momentus is not
very friendly
step 3---pentium M are reasonable priced (used cpus) only till 1.7 Ghz.But better be careful and use only use early model cpus.--better still post in the marketplace on this forum and ther will be someone who will help with it.
T41 2374-7fu,1.5 GB,1.7ghz pentium M 735,160 GB