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Daughter giving me her Area-51 m5500i R3

post #1 of 13
9/14/08 at 3:18am
Thread Starter 
My gaughter has not used her lappy for a while due to her Boxer eating the power cord and supply. So, she asked if I wanted it. Sure! So here is it's configuration.

15.4" WXGA Silver Display
Core 2 Duo 2.00GHZ T7200 4MB 667MHZ Processor
2 x 512 MB PC2-5300 Module
Fujitsu 80GB 5400RPM Sata
24x dvd cd-rw combo lite-on
ATI x1400 128mb MXM2 hybrid video/graphics card
intel pro wireless 3945 a/b/g mini-card
intel mobile integrated high-definition audio sound card
microsoft windows xp mce 2005 coa operating system
alienware digital download store os
alienguise xenomorph os
cyberlink powerdvd 6.0 primary cd rom/dvd rom

I have grown bored of building and modifing towers/desktops so I'm gonna press on here.

I have already ordered and recieved a 120GB 7200rpm SATA drive for it.
About to order 2 x 2GB PC2-5300 ram for it.
Not dure if the DVD drive is a burner or not, If not I will upgrade that also.
My plans for the big upgrade are the video and display.

If I'm reading correct it has a MXM2 slot.
What cards can I put in this lappy?
Where can I buy these from? Go7600 or Go7900 perfer 256Mb if possible.
Where can I find the best glossy WUXGA displays at?
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post #2 of 13
9/14/08 at 12:54pm
You can try ztronics.com or mxm-upgrade.com. The go7900 will not work.
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post #3 of 13
9/14/08 at 10:13pm
Thread Starter 
So I can put in the ATI x1800 or the Nvidia Go6600 or Go7600 right....


Man just saw a 8600M GT 512MB on Directron for $129.00 Too bad it will not fit...


Question? I saw benchmarkd showing the ATI x1800 beating the 6600 and 7600. Is there a 512MB version of the x1800 and will it fit the m5500i R3.
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post #4 of 13
9/15/08 at 10:25am
Others have tried putting in the X1800. It works but it runs too hot and stresses the power brick. They eventually took it out. You can find threads on this if you do a quick search on these forums.

I have the 7600 and it runs nicely. mxm-upgrade.com can also give good advice.

Whats wrong with the current screen?
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post #5 of 13
9/15/08 at 11:40pm
Thread Starter 
Nothing wrong with current screen.. I will probably use it for some time. I just perfer the high res 1900 x 1200 I think screen and with the glossy finish. The standard screen is a TFT and the upgrade is a LCD.

So yeah not going to game on lappy but just want to get into building, modding and playing with the guts of lappys.

So I will look for a Go7600. Weird I even found post of people putting 8600GS in their m5500's.... But run a cooler pad. Don't even want to go there....
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post #6 of 13
9/16/08 at 10:18am
yeah, I also hear that the 8600GS does run on the m5550. That will be interesting to try out.
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post #7 of 13
11/4/08 at 1:59am
Thread Starter 
All right people. Daughter backed out of sending me her old lappy then changed her mind again.

Well, I got it today.

1. External is perfect no scratches or wear marks. Looks brand new.
2. LCD bezel missing one rubber dimple that covers screw top right corner.
3. Started up and she is infested. No a problem have the binder with all CD's.
4. Ejected CD and the plastic tray is in two pieces. TEMP fix thanx Super glue.
5. formated fresh install Windows Media Center, support CD, & Nero installed.

So, now I want to upgrade her a little.

1. Ordered Seagate 250GB 7200RPM SATA drive. (Newegg)
2. Will order 2x2GB PC5300 tomorrow. (Newegg) (Vista 64 later)
3. Need a new DVD combo drive
4. Want to replace the ATI x1400 with either a 7600Go or 8600Go Video card.

I read in the book that ram is 2.5V but it say PC 4200. NOT. It came with 2 x 512 PC5300, so that is what I upgrading with.

But does any have suggestions on brands that they have tried?


Later and Thanx for the replies....
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post #8 of 13
11/4/08 at 2:19am
Id double check, but that board *may max out at 2 gigs ram......not sure but Id check 2 b sure.
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post #9 of 13
11/4/08 at 4:31am
Latest firmware allows for 4 Gigs....PM me if you need it.
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post #10 of 13
11/4/08 at 4:57pm
There's an ATI HD3650 available for it also.

As for the ATI x1800, it runs too hot in the m5550i R3.

The CPU can be upgraded to the 2.33 GHz T7600, which is the fastest that will work in the m5550i R3.

.
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post #11 of 13
11/5/08 at 8:48am
Thread Starter 
Got me a new burner coming. (newegg)
Got new ram coming. (newegg)
Gonna shop for the T7600 Proc.
Still researching the MXM II vid.

If I could find a 7600Go I would jump on that in a heart beat. I want to iron everything out before I flash mod heat sink.
My concerns are power requirements and stability.

What I have read so far is:
x1800 gets too hot
8600GS random reboots. Some say after ACER bios flash it runs great.
8600GT random reboots or can't get it running. I thought GT was too thick and needs more power than the 5500 PS has.
HD3650 have not found alot but saw a few post saying it can be done. Still researching.

But, what I need now is BIOS version 2.06 and or 2.07. I'm currently at 2.03 and from what I read in user manual I downloaded you should be able to adjust or change the led colors of the eyes on the cover. 2.03 has no option of this.

I'm playing war games (National Guard) till sunday 12 on 12 off and will not be able to get ahold of daughter and get username and password for her HIVE.
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post #12 of 13
11/5/08 at 10:55am
I have the 8600GS but you need to modify the heatsink or add a copper plate like I have to control cooling. The 8600GS is also Driver specific and wont work with all drivers. Some say the HD3650(Fastest GPU for m5550i) runs flawlessy and you can get that here: www.mxm-upgrade.com. I use the 2.06Bios with my GS. 2.07 will not work. That means 4gigs ram and GS are not compatable
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post #13 of 13
11/5/08 at 10:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoHack View Post
There's an ATI HD3650 available for it also.

As for the ATI x1800, it runs too hot in the m5550i R3.

The CPU can be upgraded to the 2.33 GHz T7600, which is the fastest that will work in the m5550i R3.

.
What are your temps for the HD3650 running at?
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