Upgrade Intel T9300 to Core 2 Extreme X9000

seahawks23

Junior Member
Nov 26, 2015
4
0
0
Hi guys,

I recently upgrade my CPU from a T4300 to a T9300 in my old 2009 Gateway NV54 laptop and the difference is pretty remarkable. I want to upgrade to a Core 2 Extreme X9000 and was wondering if you guys know if I would even notice anything substantially different? I don't really game. Just watch HD videos and occasionally do video/ photo editing. I currently have an SSD in my computer and the RAM is maxed out at 4 GB. Here's a comparison:

T9300: 2.5 Ghz / 6M cache
X9000 (unlocked): 2.8 Ghz / 6M cache


Also, in terms of overclocking I know that the C2X9000 is unlocked, but to overclock don't you need an unlocked bios or will that option automatically come up in my bios to change the frequency? I modified my bios to unlock a few settings, but couldn't fully unlock the overclock settings for my current cpu.

Thanks.
 

NTMBK

Lifer
Nov 14, 2011
10,381
5,549
136
Hi guys,

I recently upgrade my CPU from a T4300 to a T9300 in my old 2009 Gateway NV54 laptop and the difference is pretty remarkable. I want to upgrade to a Core 2 Extreme X9000 and was wondering if you guys know if I would even notice anything substantially different? I don't really game. Just watch HD videos and occasionally do video/ photo editing. I currently have an SSD in my computer and the RAM is maxed out at 4 GB. Here's a comparison:

T9300: 2.5 Ghz / 6M cache
X9000 (unlocked): 2.8 Ghz / 6M cache


Also, in terms of overclocking I know that the C2X9000 is unlocked, but to overclock don't you need an unlocked bios or will that option automatically come up in my bios to change the frequency? I modified my bios to unlock a few settings, but couldn't fully unlock the overclock settings for my current cpu.

Thanks.

Doubt it will be a noticeable improvement. The main difference is that you will have less battery life, and noisier fans.
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,570
10,200
126
Doubt it will be a noticeable improvement.

This. Especially, for your stated usages.

Also, is the FSB higher on the X9000? If it is, then possibly you would end up with a slower speed overall, if your mobo chipset doesn't support that high a FSB, and doesn't have the BIOS controls for manipulating an unlocked multiplier.
 

seahawks23

Junior Member
Nov 26, 2015
4
0
0
This. Especially, for your stated usages.

Also, is the FSB higher on the X9000? If it is, then possibly you would end up with a slower speed overall, if your mobo chipset doesn't support that high a FSB, and doesn't have the BIOS controls for manipulating an unlocked multiplier.

No the FSB for both is 800 mhz. They are both socket p and would fit just fine in my motherboard. I think I'll stay away then and just save money. But, my question about the overclocking. If a CPU is unlocked does that mean any bios can overclock it or does the bios also have to be unlocked?

Thanks!
 

dark zero

Platinum Member
Jun 2, 2015
2,655
140
106
Keep the T9300, is OK for your needs. Add a SSD and more RAM and it would be OK.
 

SPBHM

Diamond Member
Sep 12, 2012
5,062
414
126
"I recently upgrade my CPU from a T4300 to a T9300 in my old 2009 Gateway NV54 laptop and the difference is pretty remarkable"

I'm curious about this since I have a t4400 laptop which would support a t9300,

remarkable in what? there is like a 20% clock increase which is good, but other than that the cores are the same, apart from the much bigger l2, but I wouldn't expect it to do much for most tasks?

in any case, the upgrade to the other CPU you mentioned should be less obvious, unless you can overclock it
 

seahawks23

Junior Member
Nov 26, 2015
4
0
0
"I recently upgrade my CPU from a T4300 to a T9300 in my old 2009 Gateway NV54 laptop and the difference is pretty remarkable"

I'm curious about this since I have a t4400 laptop which would support a t9300,

remarkable in what? there is like a 20% clock increase which is good, but other than that the cores are the same, apart from the much bigger l2, but I wouldn't expect it to do much for most tasks?

in any case, the upgrade to the other CPU you mentioned should be less obvious, unless you can overclock it

Definitely do it. I got the T9300 for less than $25 shipped used on eBay. With my T4300 and my SSD and RAM upgrades YouTube videos in HD (1080p and some high fps 720p) would lag. It wouldn't be my internet, it was my computer not being able to play them properly. After I switched the CPU to a T9300, YouTube automatically plays my videos in HD and 1080P works like a charm. Also when I convert my med school lecture recordings I notice that it works faster with the T9300. For such a small price I'm probably going to be able to survive another year with this bad boy and wait for the surface book 2 when they hopefully will add a decent graphics card to it and usb 3.1
 
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seahawks23

Junior Member
Nov 26, 2015
4
0
0
"unlocked" CPUs still require BIOS support for multiplier manipulation / OCing.

I see. Let's say you had a locked CPU, but you unlocked the bios. Could you still overclock the CPU even though it was locked? Just curious about that. I wish my mobo supported setFSB so I could overclock.
 

ArisVer

Golden Member
Mar 6, 2011
1,345
32
91
remarkable in what? there is like a 20% clock increase which is good, but other than that the cores are the same, apart from the much bigger l2, but I wouldn't expect it to do much for most tasks

It's a nice bump, 400MHz on two threads. It's a sidegrade really but you can get some boost for not much cash.

I was thinking of going from a Pentium B980 to an i3 because of the extra threads and better graphics but my chipset does not support an i3.
 

GILANG LUQMAN PRAYOGAMA

Junior Member
Apr 25, 2017
1
0
6
Im interested with x9000.
I see many seller sell it for 50$.
Idk if that ES or non-ES.
How is different about ES/non-ES? Seller never say it ES/non-ES. Im confused...
 

edcoolio

Senior member
May 10, 2017
275
75
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As a rule, the issue with these types of upgrades are the TDP ratings of the processors. For example, you are thinking of replacing a processor with a TDP of 35 Watts with another with a TDP of 44 Watts. This is a very significant jump, in particular for a laptop, where heat will always be a problem. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it is.

Of course, all of this is assuming that the BIOS of your laptop will even recognize an X9000, which it probably will not... but I have been wrong before. The Gateway spec sheets and Gateway will have your answer, of course.

If you must upgrade a laptop with an 800MHz FSB, a T9500 is within spitting distance of the X9000, with no concerns about heat. Check out the passmark scores on both to compare if you are curious.

Frankly, with your T9300 in place, I would be surprised if you could tell the difference between either the X9000 or T9500 in daily use. My advice is to just make sure you upgraded it with an SSD, and call it a day.

As an aside, in my first-hand experience, the T8300 seems like the sweet spot for the $$. The single thread passmark score of all of these processors are very close. In the real world, once you put an SSD in your box, it is difficult (if not impossible) to tell the difference without a benchmark. Maybe if you are using Photoshop or something like that that relies on heavy cache use, you could tell.
 
Apr 20, 2008
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If theres an application that you're CPU bound in where a 5-10% increase would be noticable, then absolutely. Although you do have just a dual core... Upgrading the CPU will have noticeable changes to things like Chrome, Adobe, or ANYTHING productivity related like you suggested. If something intensive uses your CPU for three seconds with the new CPU, it would've taken about 3.36 seconds with the old one as it's the same sans clockspeed increase. It'll be a little snappier but that cost and effort of taking apart your laptop is up to you. If this is your only computer and you know for sure you'll be using it for the next few months, I'd probably do it.

I upgraded my laptop (A8-4500m to A10-4600m, 400mhz bump, 70% GPU upgrade) and the improvement of 400mhz all around made a huge impact, but it is a quad core. Now that I realize I could've upgraded to an a10-5750m, I'm unsure of completely disassembling this laptop again for another 200mhz and modest GPU increase is truly worth it.
 

Hans Gruber

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 2006
2,465
1,325
136
I have a couple of Thinkpad W500's with the x9000 3.06mhz and a few T500 models with the T9600 which is 2.8ghz. You would be better off with a T9600 because they are only $10-15 on ebay and the processor technology is old making 200-300mhz inconsequential. With an SSD drive, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two processors. The X9000 runs a bit hotter than the T9600.

Unless you want the fastest of the last C2D processors, I would go with the T9600.

With regard to the T8300, those are one generation older than the processors the inquisitor is inquiring about. On a side note, I have the T8300 2.4ghz processors on a few T61 Thinkpads.
 

edcoolio

Senior member
May 10, 2017
275
75
56
I have a couple of Thinkpad W500's with the x9000 3.06mhz and a few T500 models with the T9600 which is 2.8ghz. You would be better off with a T9600 because they are only $10-15 on ebay and the processor technology is old making 200-300mhz inconsequential. With an SSD drive, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two processors. The X9000 runs a bit hotter than the T9600.

Unless you want the fastest of the last C2D processors, I would go with the T9600.

With regard to the T8300, those are one generation older than the processors the inquisitor is inquiring about. On a side note, I have the T8300 2.4ghz processors on a few T61 Thinkpads.

T9600 has a FSB of 1066 MHz

X9000, T9300, T9500 and T8300 have FSB of 800 MHz. I believe that your T61 is an example of a laptop limited to the 800 MHz FSB.

All of the processors above (T9600, X9000, T9300, T9500, T8300) are of the same CPU generation (Penryn core, 45nm), the only difference being the FSB. Laptops that can take a 1066 FSB typically can run 800 FSB, however, a laptop that is limited to 800 MHz FSB will never run a T9600 at 1066 Mhz

The question is based on an interest in an X9000, which is 800 MHz, rather than an X9100, which is 1066 MHz. I'm assuming (hoping?) that the person posting is referencing the X9000 because they are limited by the FSB. Otherwise, I would also assume (pray?) that they would be asking about the X9100.

All of this having been said, you are absolutely 100% correct: If the laptop can take a 1066 MHz FSB, then the T9600, T9800, T9900 would be the way to go. No question or debate about that.
 

edcoolio

Senior member
May 10, 2017
275
75
56
Im interested with x9000.
I see many seller sell it for 50$.
Idk if that ES or non-ES.
How is different about ES/non-ES? Seller never say it ES/non-ES. Im confused...

To answer the actual question:

You do NOT want the ES (Engineering Sample). Ever. For any processor at any time no matter what anyone says.

The two part numbers that you do want (if you decide to move forward, regardless of the TDP/heat, FSB 800 or 1066 MHz or laptop/motherboard compatibility warnings) are:

SLAZ3
or
SLAQJ
 

sm625

Diamond Member
May 6, 2011
8,172
137
106
You already grabbed the low hanging fruit with the T9300, which is 6 times more cache and a 20% increase in clock speed. The cache is probably helping more than the clock speed. With the X9000 all you would be getting is an additional 10% clock speed. No more cache improvements.
 

formulav8

Diamond Member
Sep 18, 2000
7,004
522
126
unlocked" CPUs still require BIOS support for multiplier manipulation / OCing

Does Intel have an app that can change the multipliers in Windows? Or a 3rd party Windows app? I know AMD has had apps like but not sure about Intel.
 

edcoolio

Senior member
May 10, 2017
275
75
56
Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (Intel XTU) comes to mind, but as far as a Core 2 Duo LAPTOP, but without BIOS support (which HP, Dell, and most other major manuf. will not have), it will likely not work.

You could also try SetFSB, but again, chances for success are very low.

The last gasp would be a custom BIOS, but these are usually cooked for increased CPU compatibility (like running a Xeon on a capable, but otherwise unsupported, motherboard).

As a rule, overclocking a laptop is just asking for trouble, even with an external cooler.