310ED cpu upgrade?

[toddyjoe]

Hello! This is my first newbie post here so I hope it goes well.

I have an old TP 310ED with the stock Pentium 133 MMX processor and 16MB of memory modules. I decided to haul it out of inactivity for use as a midi sequencer. Some of the low-cpu midi plug-ins I am trying out are still pushing the computer to the edge of causing audible clicks, crackles, etc. I am upgrading the RAM modules to the maximum 64MB as soon as the inexpensive modules arrive. Can't have too much memory, right?

In the meantime, I have been reading up on cpu upgrades, overclocking, etc., for the 310ED. Surprisingly, there is not a lot of info out there for this model. The hardware maintenance manual for this model indicates that the same model was available with other processors (including a 166 MMX) and that four SW3 switches on the mobo determined the cpu setup. The manual also indicates that the processor is socketed, not soldered in as I would have expected. My questions:

(1) Can I change the performance of the stock 133 MMX by changing the SW3 switches to one of the other designated cpu settings (there are setting for 120, 133, 150 and 166)?

(2) If this model is actually processor-socketed when I open it up, could I upgrade the 133 MMX to another processor within the same Pentium family like a 166 MMX, 200 MMX or 233 MMX?

(3) If the processor can be physically upgraded, will it make any difference in terms of performance? Will I need to take extra thermal precautions (additional fans, heat sinks, etc.)?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

[AlphaKilo470]

I remember seeing some site that was written in Japanese a while back that showed a couple of illustrations of a ThinkPad 310 being upgraded so I'm assuming it can be done. However, I'm not sure how fast you can go or how high a clockspeed you can use without overheating.

If you want to give upgrading a shot, I'll see if I can find any old socket 7 chips I can let you have for the price of shipping. I've been pretty curious myself about the upgrading prospects of the 310 series but have never been able to get ahold of one, they really don't seem to have been a popular model.

[leoblob]

Here's a link to Intel Pentium MMX processors in the TCP Mobile package: http://processorfinder.intel.com/script ... selections

I'm assuming the processor in your notebook is socket-mounted and is in this particular package. By clicking on the "SL" numbers, you can see the voltage required along with some other specs. My concern would be that on the faster processors (greater than 166), your notebook's motherboard may not be able to supply the right voltage (and in this case, two different voltages). If it were me, I would go no higher than 166, since that appears to be the max your computer was designed for. I would not go with the 150, since it's not really much (any?) faster than the 133... the 133 has a 66MHz bus, whereas the 150 has only a 60MHz bus. ((You will note that the Intel table has an error in it... it says the 150 runs with a 66MHz bus, but that's wrong.))

If your processor is in a (desktop-style) Socket 7 package (not likely, but who knows), then you may have more options...??

I would not simply change the switches and leave in your existing processor. It might possibly work OK, but there is a significant chance that your computer would become unstable, or that you would burn out your processor (due to the higher heat generated at faster clock speeds).

[toddyjoe]

Thank you both for the informed opinions!

The hardware manual for my 310ED identifies that I can select one of four voltages for the processor: 2.35, 2.45, 2.90 and 3.10. No dual-voltages. I looked at the various processors on the link leoblob provided and it looks like the 166 MMX may be the best I can do with the single voltage selection in the TCP Mobile package.

I will do some further research based on the info you guys have provided and post a follow-up if I give the processor upgrade a try. Thanks again!

Edit: Incidentally, does anybody know anything about the Powerleap Pro-MMX series of processor adapters linked here: http://www.powerleap.ca/Products/PL-ProMMX.htm? Looks like an interesting product, albeit somewhat ugly.

[leoblob]

I'm not familiar with that specific product (and I don't think it would ever fit into a notebook), but I am familiar with Powerleap's stuff. I have 4 desktop computers each using a Powerleap adapter... including the PC300GL that's in my sig, on which I am writing this reply. Powerleap has a very good reputation.

[AlphaKilo470]

If your laptop doesn't support dual voltages as you say, you might want to look into the IDT WinChip or IDT C6 series of CPUs as they offer MMX and 64kb of L1 primary cahce which is double what the Pentium MMX has and quadriple what the original Pentium has and the IDT WinChip and C6 CPUs don't require dual votage. They also run quite cool and are pin compatible with the original Socket 7 Pentiums.

Also, leoblob, it's worth noting that the 310 and 315 series of laptops by IBM actually don't use the tape carrier package (TCP) Pentiums like my 760 or your 365 but instead the 310 and 315 actually use Socket 7 Pentiums. I found a site that shows some pictures taken of the inside of a 310/315 that has some decent pictures. However, the site's in Japanese so I have no clue what the text next to the pictures is saying.

The bottom of this page actually shows the computer being taken apart:
http://www.aichi.to/~thinkpad/tp315ed/index.html

The bottom of this page just shows an AMD chip in place of the Pentium chip.
http://www.aichi.to/~thinkpad/tp310/

[toddyjoe]

Thanks for the information and pics! It looks like I should think a little outside of the box and do some more homework regarding processor compatibility with non-Pentium products. I used a crude Japanese translator for those two sites but found that the captions offered no real information of substance.

This information is extremely helpful. Keep it coming!

[leoblob]

Also, leoblob, it's worth noting that the 310 and 315 series of laptops by IBM actually don't use the tape carrier package (TCP) Pentiums like my 760 or your 365 but instead the 310 and 315 actually use Socket 7 Pentiums.

Wow, that's quite a surprise! I guess it means that (in the Intel line, at least), any Socket 7 Pentium with the correct core voltage should work.

I'll take a look at the Japanese sites, as I do know a tiny bit of Japanese and maybe I can get some info I can pass along (in English, of course )

[AlphaKilo470]

Alright, if you can make heads or tails out of the website, give us any info you think is useful. I apreciate that.

[leoblob]

OK, for the Japanese site on the TP310, the captions for the last 4 pix are:

1. memory goes here
2. this is the AMDK6-2
3. reverse side
4. this is where to move the DIP switches to, for (AMD) 400MHz (operation).

BTW, I used a WIN IDT chip to upgrade an older IBM desktop I had for years. That machine came with a P90, and the 240MHz (with MMX) upgrade made a huge difference... and it dropped right in.

[AlphaKilo470]

The IDT's are pretty nice. I once used a 180 clocked down to 166 (66mhz bus to get 166 usually works better than 60mhz bus for 180) in an old Packard Bell I used to have laying around. Ran like a charm.

To toddyjoe, I actually have two WinChips laying around, a 180mhz part and a 240mhz part that I'd be willing to let go of for the cause of upgrading the ThinkPad 310 if interested. If you do want either one, I'd reccomend overclocking the bus on either one from 60mhz to 66mhz and them running the clockspeed on the 180 at 166 and the 240 at 233. I find that better input/output performance is achieved with the extra 6mhz of bus speed.

[toddyjoe]

AlphaKilo470, I may take you up on that offer. I will send you a PM. Thanks!

leoblob, thanks for the Japanese translation. You did a much better job of deciphering than my online translator.

Edit: Some things I noticed comparing leoblob's translation to the pics and the 310ED hardware manual:

(1) the SW3 dip settings (second dip set from the left in top of final pic) that the caption says is for 400 mhz is the same as the hardware manual lists for a 133 mhz processor; and

(2) the S1 dip settings (lone dip set to the right of processor in same final pic) is the 2.45 volt setting according to the 310ED hardware manual.

Interesting.