Help with Upgrading Socket 939 Laptop

[fieldplay]

I have a Compaq Laptop (Model 3240US) with the following specs:

US Product Number PF153UA#ABA
Microprocessor AMD Athlon 64 processor 3200* with PowerNow! Technology
# Process Type: AMD Athlon 64 3200+*
# Frequency: 2.0 GHz
# FSB: 2000MHz HT Speed
# Cache: 512KB L2 Cache
# Process: 90nm SOI
# Socket: Socket 939
# Core: Venice
# Stepping: E4
AMD 64 technology operates at 2.0 GHz
Microprocessor Cache 1 MB L2 Cache
Memory 1250 MB DDR SDRAM (1 x 1024MB, 1 x 256 MB) at 333 MHz
Video Memory 64 MB DDR (dedicated)
Hard Drive 60 GB (4200 RPM) Hard Drive
Display 15.4 inch WXGA High-Definition Widescreen (1280 x 800) Display

I want to upgrade the CPU to the max that this native board can accept. Sure I can buy a new laptop, but I want to max the one I got if possible. So the question is can I bump it up to a:

AMD Athlon 64 4000+ 2.6GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor ($76 on pricewatch as of 9-2-07)

or if not, then can I upgrade it to a:

AMD Athlon64 4000+ 2.4Ghz Socket 939pin Processor ($70 on pricewatch as of 9-2-07)
# Process Type: AMD Athlon64 4000+*
# Frequence: 2400MHz
# FSB: 2000MHz
# Cache: 1MB
# Socket: 939
# Stepping: E4
# CMOS Technology: 90nm SOI

or how about dual core like a:
AMD Athlon64 X2 4200+ Socket 939pin Processor
Model Number 4200+
Frequency 2.2 Ghz
L1 Cache 64KB+64KB
L2 Cache 512KB + 512KB
Socket Type Socket 939
Core Manchester
FSB 2000Mhz
Process Type 90 nm
Hyper-Transport Support Yes

Let me know as it has been quite a while since I have been overclockin back in the 90s and you guys are more up on the new stuff than I am. Thanks.

 

[whack28]

Sounds like you're in the same boat I am. I've got an HP zv6000 series. It's a socket 939 board, with a ATI chipset. I did a heck of a lot of research to try and get a dual core chip to work. Part of the problem is that HP/Compaq built these wonderful laptops a desktop replacements, but were pushing them very hard with a desktop 939 chip. This lead to the 3000+ or 3200+ chips sucking up 60 to 80 something watts. The entry level dual core in the 939 socket (X2 3800+) pulls 89watts. This means that a dual core 939 will have a heck of alot of heat to disperse through a small laptop heat sink.

The biggest issue is, the HP/Compaq BIOS is completely incompatible with Dual cores. The zv6000 series is known not to even post with a dual core installed. My fear is that yours may be in the same boat with its BIOS. HP never considered a BIOS update that would identify and run a dual core.

If you are looking for an upgrade, Try a single core 3700+. These ran at 2.2Ghz, have a 1mb cache, and only draw 67 watts. You could grab a 4000+ also (2.4GHz, 1mb cache), but they do pull 89watts. I use a 3700+, and there is a noticeable difference in performance, and not much more heat.

Be very careful about the chips though. AMD did make three types of single core Athlon 64s, they were soket 754, 939 and AM2. The AM2 version you mentioned wouldn't work, it's 940 pins. The socket 754 and 939 did make it into notebooks, so make sure you got a 939 too.

Good luck,

Whack