CPU-modded 600X draining battery

[Grey Area]

Recently I replaced the 650MHz P3M on my 600X with the 850MHz-version, and I notice the running time has decreased significantly. Right before the switch I got well above two hours, more than three if I kept calm. Now with the new CPU the machine drains the battery in 45 minutes doing nothing but showing the desktop (Ubuntu/Gnome). Have it do some installing and it's down to 20 minutes.

It is not (yet) the common 600-series battery failure, the battery meter goes down steadily one by one, no big drop from 90% to 30% or so.

On the one hand a drop is to be expected, I suppose - even when idle the new CPU is running faster than the old one at full power. Still, this is quite drastic, and I am seriously considering a downgrade again, as the machine cannot really be used unplugged any more. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it possible to slow the CPU down to less than 700MHz?

Björn

[Rob Mayercik]

Is the unit generating an abnormal amount of heat with the "new" processor (fan running continuously)?

Is it possible you might have caused a tiny short during installation, such as thermal paste oozing out from under the fan?

[Grey Area]

Hmm, interesting idea, I will have to check this tonight. Usually I pay no attention to the fan, so I don't really remember if it is on all the time. I did use a thermal pad instead of paste (there are tiny spacers between fan and CPU, would have required lots and lots of paste to fill the gap), but pads are a bit suboptimal as far as I know. Maybe I need to work out an alternative there. Thanks for the hint!

Björn

[Rob Mayercik]

I shouldn't think the fan by itself would be responsible for such a vast drop in run time, but it might be a symptom.

Certainly it's worth checking out.

[Grey Area]

After switching various CPUs back and forth for a while and dragging in a second 600x for comparisons, I am now quite certain that it is the battery's fault after all, in spite of my first statements. A rather stupid coincidence, it is merely a month old (genuine ebay-noname-brand, though ) and must have started failing right between the old and the new CPU. So, potential modders, don't let my experience stop you, the CPU is fine.

Björn