Can a T510 motherboard/processor go into a T500?

[LymanSS]

I run a lot of very processor-intensive applications on my laptop and while the Core2-duo in my T500 is alright, sometimes it's just not up to the task. I've been thinking about getting a T500 motherboard and a Core i5 processor and swapping them in. Has anyone else attempted this swap? Does anyone know for sure whether the case design has changed at all? Any feedback would be welcome. Thanks

Scott

[dr_st]

Significant changes to the case design and all the main connectors. No dice.

[LymanSS]

Thanks for the response. I didn't realize the did a significant case redesign. I guess I'll just have to stick with a processor with the same socket, supported by the existing chipset. Anyone else tried upgrading to a Core 2 Quad? I know it'll be at a higher TDP, but it might work...

[thitiv]

If you run a lot of processor-intensive task, you may want to try upgrading (changing) the CPU. I upgraded the stock T9400 CPU on my T500 to be the 3.06GHz T9900. It's been working great. A T9900 is sold on eBay for $300-$350.

[LegendaryKA8]

Agreed on the T9900. From the benchmarks I've been seeing the T9900 is on par with the Core i5 520m, and not too far off in performance from the 540.

I remember seeing a while back(I'd drag up the thread but I'm running short on time) that someone put in a Core 2 Quad into their T500, but there were heat issues. I don't think the T500's thermal solution can keep up with a quad-core, even if it will physically run it.

[davepol]

T9900 is on par with the Core i3 but nowhere near i5. Plus it generates much more heat then i5 or i3.

[LegendaryKA8]

T9900 is on par with the Core i3 but nowhere near i5. Plus it generates much more heat then i5 or i3.

Granted it is a static benchmark and there are a lot of variables to take into account, but here are Passmark scores on the processors in question:

C2D T9900: 2,291
Core i5 520M: 2,340
Core i5 540M: 2,456
Core i7 620M: 2,755

At least according to this there isn't a terrible difference between these processors, however the i7 definitely pulls ahead a bit. I won't argue with you about the heat, however... the i5 is likely to run a lot cooler than the T9900 at full tilt.