Squeezing extra performance out of...

Captain Kirk · 13 Nov 2007 at 16:16

a Toshiba Equium A60 laptop with a P4 at 2.8Ghz?
Obviously, it already gets too hot, I have taken it apart, blown all the dust out and applied new TIM, that helped a fair bit, but I'm wondering if there are any tweaks I can do to increase performance at all.

Cheers y'all

Captain Kirk · 14 Nov 2007 at 16:12

It's just generally slow. I realise I'm never going to get great multitasking performance out of it due to its age, but any general tips would help. I've just looked at maybe getting a slightly faster CPU. Getting a faster Hard drive might also be a good idea. Wifi speeds are fine, due to using a plug in card. mainly just trying to load up apps, like firefox and thunderbird etc.

Captain Kirk · 14 Nov 2007 at 21:30

That was another thought. Although I have never dabbled in the dark art that is Linux! It may be an ideal time to try!

Captain Kirk · 15 Nov 2007 at 08:24

Sorry; 512MB PC2700 Ram (has been upgraded), P4 2.8Ghz, 40GB hard drive, which I think is only a 4200rpm, so that may need upgrading. The exact model is a Toshiba Equium A60-692.
Actually, says it all here

Captain Kirk · 15 Nov 2007 at 19:29

Quick question, as with normal desktop computers, can you put Ram in that is rated faster than your computer can take? e.g. my laptop says it takes PC2700, can I put PC3200 in, but it will just run at 2700 speeds?

Captain Kirk · 16 Nov 2007 at 15:33

Right, I've gone a little crazy on this, as I haven't spent any money for a while, and so I have bought...
A cRadia Flex notebook cooler (obviously to try and keep temps low). This should also help to reduce noise.

A 3.2ghz P4, to replace the 2.8ghz currently installed.

A single stick of 1gb PC3200 Adata ram. Had a look last night and it only has a 256mb module in. So that should help considerably (as long as it is compatible)

I will install them one at a time and see which makes the biggest difference.

Captain Kirk · 16 Nov 2007 at 17:46

Any suggestions on which benchmark you would like me to use?
I have received the Flex Notebook cooler. It does seem to have made some difference to my temps, but I hardly max out my laptop as I mainly use it for internet and email.
Not too worried about power problems as 90% of the time it is hooked up to the mains.

Captain Kirk · 18 Nov 2007 at 19:24

Could someone give me some ideas on decent benchmarks that test mainly the cpu and ram, and possibly hard drive.
As the graphics is onboard radeon 7000 igp I don't think they are worth testing.

Captain Kirk · 19 Nov 2007 at 18:13

ok, I have downloaded SiSoft Sandra. Could you please tell me how to get some sort of comparible benchmark out of it! It looks a little confusing

Captain Kirk · 21 Nov 2007 at 23:59

Right, I have received my new P4 3.2Ghz cpu. changes are as follows
From SiSoft Sandra, running Performance Index...

2.8ghz P4... CPU Arithmetic test: 7650 new cpu 8797
CPU Multi-media test: 23061 new cpu 26921

I don't believe any of the other tests touched the cpu.

Not a bad improvement so far. Just need to test the Ram now (when it arrives)

Captain Kirk · 28 Nov 2007 at 17:42

Wow, Ram finally came through, I guess that UK seller wasn't from the UK at all! It's 1 stick of Adata 1GB DDR400, which is higher than my laptop specifies it supports. It runs fine!!
I have ran SiSoft Sandra again, but the ram doesn't make any difference on the benchmark I used as it only tests bandwidth.
All in all I'm happy with the smallish outlay to upgrade my laptop. Plus seeing as I've never upgraded a laptop before it was quite fun