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Sony VAIO S170 Upgrades

post #1 of 15
11/16/09 at 7:05pm
Thread Starter 
I've got an old VAIO S170 that I'm interested in upgrading. However, information has been hard to come by (many dead links since this is an old unit).

Hoping you guys can help with information regarding what I'd like to do:

1) Processor Upgrade
I've been told that I can upgrade my processor to a Pentium M 770. My question is, is this possible? The 770 I believe has a 533MHz FSB, while my current processor has a 400MHz FSB. Will the 770 work at 400MHz FSB? 533MHz? Is there a better processor you guys would recommend?

2) RAM Upgrade
I believe that the maximum amount of RAM that the system will support is 2GB. However, the only 1GB sticks of PC2700 172 pin RAM are pretty pricey. Where can I get cheaper RAM? Can I use newer/cheaper RAM?

3) HD Upgrade
I believe my model is one of the older units with an IDE HD interface. What's the fastest/best HD I can install?

4) Port Replicator/Docking Station
Anyone know the model # of the docking station/port replicator for this unit?

Thanks!
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post #2 of 15
11/16/09 at 8:05pm
1. I would personally leave the CPU alone for first start.

2. http://www.memorystore.com/upgrades_...gn-s170+memory

Max = 1Ggigo, with PC2700 200 pins, so it is quite cheap.

3. Specs call for 80GB, but I would try to push a 100GB IDE 7200rpm in there. eBay?

4. One of these?

cheers ...
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post #3 of 15
11/16/09 at 8:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
1. I would personally leave the CPU alone for first start.
Why?

Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
2. http://www.memorystore.com/upgrades_...gn-s170+memory

Max = 1Ggigo, with PC2700 200 pins, so it is quite cheap.
My understanding was that Sony spec'ed a maximum of 1GB because 1gb sticks were not available at the time in the correct form factor, and that the system will in fact support 2GB of RAM. Also, I thought the S170 used 172 pin RAM? Is 200 pin RAM compatible?


Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
3. Specs call for 80GB, but I would try to push a 100GB IDE 7200rpm in there. eBay?
Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
4. One of these?
Um... link?

Thanks again
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post #4 of 15
11/17/09 at 6:18am
. Ram Module: Only specs I see and read for this model is a PC2700 200 pins. I do not see any 172pins anywhere relating to S170. Can you link it?

. Docking station: oops -
http://www.getpartsonline.com/vgp-prs2.html

cheers ...
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post #5 of 15
11/17/09 at 2:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
. Ram Module: Only specs I see and read for this model is a PC2700 200 pins. I do not see any 172pins anywhere relating to S170. Can you link it?
See:

http://www.edepot.com/reviews_sony_vaio_s.html
http://www.memory-up.com/Memory/SonyVAIOVGN-S1602.html
http://www.upgradecomputermemory.com...VAIO-VGN-S170/
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post #6 of 15
11/17/09 at 7:57pm
My bad on the 200 pins.

cheers ...
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post #7 of 15
11/17/09 at 9:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
My bad on the 200 pins.

cheers ...
So...

  1. Why wouldn't you recommend changing the processor? If I do, what's my best option?
  2. Where can I buy memory inexpensively?
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post #8 of 15
11/17/09 at 9:28pm
1. If you do, try and stay with the 400FSB CPU, like a 755? Why would I not recommend on the Sony? This brand is a bit touchy in CPU upgrading for my taste.

2. I have no idea. I see some on the net for about $160/1Gig. The link you have above seems to point to a cheaper price.

cheers ...
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post #9 of 15
11/18/09 at 3:07am
I have an S170 as well, and I have upgraded to a 755 from a 735, but the max is 765.

2GB RAM is max.

Port replicator model is: VGP-PRS1. I've got one too.

I haven't touched the hard drive but every one of these can be found on ebay. Good luck and remember the S170 is perfectly capable of running Windows 7!
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post #10 of 15
11/18/09 at 3:12am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by spartanman View Post
I have an S170 as well, and I have upgraded to a 755 from a 735, but the max is 765.

2GB RAM is max.

Port replicator model is: VGP-PRS1. I've got one too.

I haven't touched the hard drive but every one of these can be found on ebay. Good luck and remember the S170 is perfectly capable of running Windows 7!
That's the plan. Right now I have a 1.4GHz Celeron, 768MB of RAM, and a 40GB 5400rpm drive. I love the size/weight of this unit and I figure I can see some pretty serious performance gains by going to a relatively fast Dothan processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 7200rpm drive. Thoughts on a 765 vs 755?

Also, any idea where I can source RAM? $80 for a 1gb stick of ancient RAM seems ridiculous.

Oh yeah - I found several docking stations for cheap on eBay, but none of them seem to come with AC adapters. Does the docking station use the standard VAIO S AC adapter?
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post #11 of 15
11/18/09 at 3:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FelixP View Post
That's the plan. Right now I have a 1.4GHz Celeron, 768MB of RAM, and a 40GB 5400rpm drive. I love the size/weight of this unit and I figure I can see some pretty serious performance gains by going to a relatively fast Dothan processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 7200rpm drive. Thoughts on a 765 vs 755?

Also, any idea where I can source RAM? $80 for a 1gb stick of ancient RAM seems ridiculous.

Oh yeah - I found several docking stations for cheap on eBay, but none of them seem to come with AC adapters. Does the docking station use the standard VAIO S AC adapter?
I got the 755 over the 765 because of the price difference. Saved a good $100 for 100mhz less. Plus I've done this almost two years ago so the prices today should not be an issue. If you have a Celeron right now, would the motherboard be compatible with a Dothan??

Microdimm RAM on this thing is a major screw up by Sony. Ridiculous prices still keep me from upgrading to the full 2GB. I stuck with 1GB (512 X 2) and its plenty enough for me.

Dock stations don't come with AC adapter, but uses the same one from your laptop.
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post #12 of 15
11/18/09 at 3:35am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by spartanman View Post
I got the 755 over the 765 because of the price difference. Saved a good $100 for 100mhz less. Plus I've done this almost two years ago so the prices today should not be an issue. If you have a Celeron right now, would the motherboard be compatible with a Dothan??
Yep. Bought the laptop abt 2 years ago from a friend who had originally planned to do this upgrade, but got a MBP instead. IIRC, you could have saved significant $ (but voided your warranty) when these things were new by ordering one with a celeron and installing a Pentium yourself. Today, 755s seem to be much easier to come by than 765s. Is the performance jump going to be worth the extra hassle/coin?

Quote:
Originally Posted by spartanman View Post
Microdimm RAM on this thing is a major screw up by Sony. Ridiculous prices still keep me from upgrading to the full 2GB. I stuck with 1GB (512 X 2) and its plenty enough for me.


Maybe we could find a distributor to give us a group discount?

Quote:
Originally Posted by spartanman View Post
Dock stations don't come with AC adapter, but uses the same one from your laptop.
Sweet, thanks. Now I have to find some cheap used AC adapters to go with the cheap docking stations...
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post #13 of 15
11/18/09 at 7:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FelixP View Post
...

Sweet, thanks. Now I have to find some cheap used AC adapters to go with the cheap docking stations...
Try staying with OEM part

cheers ...
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post #14 of 15
2/4/10 at 9:37am
Why don't you just Pinmod (overclock) your CPU? I did that on mine and worked perfectly like that for 3 years before the casing broke down (crappy Fujitsu Siemens Notebook)

I had Pentium M 735 1.7 GHz 400 FSB--> after pinmodding: 2,27 GHz and 533 FSB (You will have to change the RAM with one that supports 533 FSB first).

I would very much recommend that. Did it on M 725 (1.6 GHz) of a friend of mine - still working like that for more then 3 years. It became 2,13 Gz.
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post #15 of 15
2/4/10 at 12:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by moonland View Post
Why don't you just Pinmod (overclock) your CPU? I did that on mine and worked perfectly like that for 3 years before the casing broke down (crappy Fujitsu Siemens Notebook)

I had Pentium M 735 1.7 GHz 400 FSB--> after pinmodding: 2,27 GHz and 533 FSB (You will have to change the RAM with one that supports 533 FSB first).

I would very much recommend that. Did it on M 725 (1.6 GHz) of a friend of mine - still working like that for more then 3 years. It became 2,13 Gz.

My system is out of luck for that mod. Mine only has i855 chipset while the mod needs i915.
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