Is this laptop 64-bit compatible?

[gamefreakgcb]

Hello AT. I have this laptop and I am confused as to whether it is 64-bit compatible or not. I searched and got conflicting reports.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Unfortunately, no. The Intel Centrino Duo platform it has includes the Intel Core Duo T2300E CPU, which is based on the Yonah microarchitecture and does not support 64-bit.

The platform itself is capable of supporting (Merom) Core 2 Duo CPUs which do have 64-bit support, but (Yohan) Core Duo CPUs can only execute 32-bit.

Also, if you want more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_microprocessors

 

[gamefreakgcb]

So I can swap out the CPU?

 

[trollolo]

swapping out the CPU could require a whole new motherboard. don't go there

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

So I can swap out the CPU?

It depends, but if the laptop has a big access panel on the bottom you could find out. You should be able to see if the CPU uses a normal socket or is soldered in. If it's soldered in, you'll need a new motherboard that includes the CPU and is compatible with the chassis. It'd end up being quite expensive in that situation and not worth it. If the CPU is socketed in, you can do it provided you have some TIM and won't panic about replacing it.

If you want 64-bit support, you need a Merom Core 2 Duo CPU, preferably with a comparable TDP to the current one; it also needs to be a Socket M CPU and preferably with a 667MHz FSB. They can be had cheaply on eBay and probably the FS sub-forum here.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-T5600...sor-/160648343933?pt=CPUs&hash=item256763317d

http://www.ebay.com/itm/INTEL-CORE-...CPU-/250901589045?pt=CPUs&hash=item3a6ae66c35

They also have higher IPC and clock speeds than your current CPU, so performance should be notably higher too.

 

[gamefreakgcb]

Thanks guys. I bought this laptop in 2006. Its starting to show its age now so thinking of putting in an SSD. RAM is already upto 2.5GB but I think XP isn't cutting it anymore. Was also looking to use it as a Linux learning machine.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Thanks guys. I bought this laptop in 2006. Its starting to show its age now so thinking of putting in an SSD. RAM is already upto 2.5GB but I think XP isn't cutting it anymore. Was also looking to use it as a Linux learning machine.

Why not just replace the 512MB stick it has for a 1GB for a total 3GB and put Windows 7 32-bit on it? The hardware is more than sufficient to run it with no problems.

 

[gamefreakgcb]

I have a bunch of SSD's lying around. The HDD is slooooooooooow. Every comp/laptop except this has SSD.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

I have a bunch of SSD's lying around. The HDD is slooooooooooow. Every comp/laptop except this has SSD.

Even better reason, then. Windows 7 has better SSD support, and you can enable TRIM.

 

[Jawadali]

I have the same laptop with a Core 2 Duo T5200 CPU (64-bit capable), so theoretically, a CPU upgrade should work. My motherboard is using the i945GM chipset, which is probably the same as yours (but you can double check with CPU-Z)

However, I don't know how easy/difficult it is to swap, so you'd want to do some research on that. Lenovo typically has decent service manuals on their website.

Also, note that you will be looking for Socket M CPU. The Core 2 Duos started on Socket M, but were moved to Socket P after a short while. A list of Core 2 Duos, with their socket type, is on Wikipedia here.

I briefly ran Ubuntu 10.10 via USB, and it seemed to work quite well.

 

[dma0991]

The question is why the need to use a 64 bit OS when you're most likely never going to be using or installing 4GB of RAM. I have a C2D laptop with 2GB of RAM and it is more than sufficient for what I intend it to do or what it is capable to with limited performance.

Changing the CPU might be an expensive upgrade considering that it is an old model and mobile processors are never cheap compared to desktop counterparts. A SSD upgrade might be more fitting but a previous generation Sandforce SSD is more than enough as you're most likely to hit a bottleneck with the SATA 3GB/s interface that the laptop might have.

 

[gamefreakgcb]

The CPU upgrade was more of a curious question. I have upgraded mobile CPU's twice before. Both in a Dell. Even did the pencil trick on a Socket M proc for Dell. The SSD is Sandforce-1222 based which I bought for $1 per GB.

 

[JWade]

the motherboard does not have the processor soldered onto it, may take though taking most the laptop apart to get to it.

a t5600 (1.83ghz) will run you $35 from starmicroinc.net

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

the motherboard does not have the processor soldered onto it, may take though taking most the laptop apart to get to it.

a t5600 (1.83ghz) will run you $35 from starmicroinc.net

Or you can just get it for $20-25 from a reputable eBay seller. The T7200 is available for $40 as well. There's no reason to pay anything more for these older chips, TBH.

OP:
The SSD will definitely make a bigger difference than the CPU. One question, though: does your motherboard have SATA 3Gbps or SATA 1.5GBps?

 

[gamefreakgcb]

Or you can just get it for $20-25 from a reputable eBay seller. The T7200 is available for $40 as well. There's no reason to pay anything more for these older chips, TBH.

OP:
The SSD will definitely make a bigger difference than the CPU. One question, though: does your motherboard have SATA 3Gbps or SATA 1.5GBps?

Im pretty sure its 1.5Gbps. Will have to check later.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Im pretty sure its 1.5Gbps. Will have to check later.

Well, it'll still have a big advantage in comparison to an HDD when it comes to access times and system responsiveness, so that's good.

 

[gamefreakgcb]