I have this M52 8113-D5U computer. It is equipped with a 3 GHz socket 775 Pentium4 and has some kind of cheesy intel chipset.
I want to upgrade the processor to a dual core but I cannot find any information suggesting which model CPU to purchase. The specs on the Lenovo website list the Pentium D as compatible. However the listing only mentions that it can support the "Prescott" and the "Smithfield" but its not specific enough to mention which exact models and what exact stepping would be supported. I seem to recall reading that this model only supported D stepping somewhere but I can't remember if that is right. Strangely, the prescott IS NOT dual core and the Smithfield cores do not even have D stepping.
Now the Smithfield cores which are apparently supported seem to have A and B stepping. But I don't know which one to purchase. It doesn't say in the support article which exact Pentium D processor is supported. There are four Smithfield Pentium D models and each model is available in either A or B stepping. So that is 8 different Pentium D Smithfield Processors and the website article does not mention which one of them is compatible.
What dual core processor can I put in this machine? Here is a list of the low end Pentium Dual Cores:
Can someone please tell exactly which model (s) I can purchase. I am planning on upgrading the computers power supply, RAM, and video card also, but without a real CPU in it, none of that investment will be worthwhile. A single core Pentium will bottleneck all of the newer games out there (I know this for a fact).
Message Edited by ViciousLizard on 10-24-2008 04:03 PM
ViciousLizard wrote: Thanks a lot people. What a useless forum.
Oh, c'mon now! I'm sorry you haven't gotten an answer, but the question wasn't posted until after business hours on a fall Friday during football season when forum traffic slows way down.
There aren't that many forum members so far who have ThinkCentres, but check back on Monday when there's more forum activity overall. Hopefully someone will have some info for you, and you'll stick around to share your knowledge as well.
I do not work for Lenovo. Follow the forum on Twitter If you need help, post your question in the forum, and include your system type, model number and OS. Do not post your serial number. I do NOT respond to PM or e-mail requests for individual tech support.
It says here your only dual-core configuration would be a Pentium D 820 Smithfield. It doesn't list the exact stepping, but you can always Google them and see what, if any major changes have been made. Specifically, steppings shouldn't affect the compatibility with a motherboard.
Oh, one more note, if you're going for a Pentium D, make sure the airflow in your case is good, and you have a good processor cooler, otherwise, many Pentium D's can easily reach 70 C without adequete cooling.
It says here your only dual-core configuration would be a Pentium D 820 Smithfield. It doesn't list the exact stepping, but you can always Google them and see what, if any major changes have been made. Specifically, steppings shouldn't affect the compatibility with a motherboard.
Oh, one more note, if you're going for a Pentium D, make sure the airflow in your case is good, and you have a good processor cooler, otherwise, many Pentium D's can easily reach 70 C without adequete cooling.
P.S Just be patient.
Message Edited by Poweraml on 10-25-2008 03:01 PM
Thank you. The processor list is useful. Unfortunately, I had already come across it. I was really hoping someone actually owned this model and had upgraded it themselves and could tell me what they did. I just don't like spending money on an old CPU without knowing for certain if its what will be appropriate.
I am aware that it states the Smithfield and specifically mentions 2.8 GHz. However, considering that the computer worked with a Presler core (Pentium D 925) a few months ago, I doubt that is all it is limited to. However, I would like to stay within officially supported specs. I did not test the Presler core for a prolonged time. I just booted the OS and played around in Windows and then turned it off and gave it back to my friend.
The problem I have is that it does not state an exact model, or to be more specific the specification number and stepping. The model alone is not adquate. Further, the Pentium D 820 is not noticeably superior to the Pentium 4 at 3 GHz that comes with the system. If anyone doubts this just do a little research involving benchmarks. Further, there are two steppings, an A and B, and on an older motherboard I have found this CAN make a difference (especially if you don't want to upgrade the BIOS). As you are aware, the B stepping indicates a significant revision to the core. This really isn't going to be worthwhile unless I go with at least a Pentium D 840. The Smithfield cores were quite weak.
"Oh, one more note, if you're going for a Pentium D, make sure the airflow in your case is good, and you have a good processor cooler, otherwise, many Pentium D's can easily reach 70 C without adequete cooling."
This is a good point. I intend to install the new CPU with the existing passive BTX cooling system and very quickly enter the BIOS and observe the CPU temp. If its above 50C, I will install a decent fan and some artic silver thermal. I never obstruct the air flow in computers with unnecessary cables.
Message Edited by ViciousLizard on 10-25-2008 07:36 PM
10-25-200808:56 PM- last edited on10-26-200801:01 AM
Okay, now I remember...
...a few months ago I upgraded the BIOS to the current one on the Lenovo site. This bios enables the D0 stepping Pentium D processors (the Preslers). This is why the Pentium D 925 worked in my computer when I tested it. However, I am concerned about whether or not it will work with the B1 and C1 steppings.
The Pentium D 925 only came in the D0 (SL9KA) and C1 (SL9D9) steppings so there is a 50/50 shot that what I put in the machine was the D0. So I am concerned that if I buy one and its the C1, I will get a microcode error.
I guess I will just have to purchase the Pentium D 925 and make sure its the SL9KA.
What I plan to do is upgrade the PSU to a cheap chinese 580 watt, put an 8800 GTS in it, and upgrade the CPU to a low-end dual core. Then it will be a gaming rig. I'm pretty sure I can do this for under $150. The thing I hate is that its BTX. I'm hoping that is not going to complicate things and that a normal CPU fan can fit in the BTX case and also that the BTX board will work with a normal socket 775 fan. (Yeah, I know the D 925 is going to bottleneck a little bit, its going to be a budget rig).
I work on a lot of computers, but I have no experience with BTX. This is the first one I've owned. I don't like it; its advantages do not out weigh its liabilities...
Message Edited by ViciousLizard on 10-26-2008 01:01 AM
10-26-200803:27 AM- last edited on10-26-200803:29 AM
Hmm...yeah, manufacturers don't usually state the exact stepping and model. Even top end brands like Asus and Gigabyte only list the compatible processors, like, "Core 2 Duo E8500 LGA 775", but not the exact steppings like B1 or B2 on the Core 2 Quad. I guess you'll just have to GO for it, but I've heard tons of forum messages where users installed a new stepping of a processor yet it didn't state the exact model on their website. By the way, I own a very similiar model to yours as well, and I was considering a Pentium D upgrade. I believe you can ask one of the administrators here for further help, or contact Lenovo. With problems and issues such as these, they should be willing to give you help.
One more note, regarding your gaming rig. I do not know whether you are aware of this but high end cards like the 8800GTS require 12amps on a 12v rail. Please make sure whether the PSU you are going for supports this, or else you will find that the card will struggle due to power starvation. Furthermore, many suggest a PSU higher than 600W for an optimal safeguard against this. Not only a 580W, but a good, quality PSU. Even some 400W PSU (good quality ones) are more efficient and powerful than a cheap, 580W one.
Also, 8800GTS do cost a bit now. I'd rather wait for the prices to drop. I believe many of the prices are USD, so (I got fooled by USD once) make sure of that. $150 is possible, but it's going to be hard, because of the demand for high end Geforce 8800's. Just remember, 8800GTS graphic cards need supplementary power, because the PCI-E slot alone can only provide 75W.
I assume you already know this, but just a little suggestion. Good luck!
10-26-200805:33 AM- last edited on10-26-200805:42 AM
"One more note, regarding your gaming rig. I do not know whether you are aware of this but high end cards like the 8800GTS require 12amps on a 12v rail. Please make sure whether the PSU you are going for supports this, or else you will find that the card will struggle due to power starvation. Furthermore, many suggest a PSU higher than 600W for an optimal safeguard against this. Not only a 580W, but a good, quality PSU. Even some 400W PSU (good quality ones) are more efficient and powerful than a cheap, 580W one."
Thanks for the feedback and advice. I think there was some confusion with what I meant and my exact level of experience. My concern with the stepping is a legitimate one, and yes manufacuters like ASUS don't mention things like stepping because they are designed to run many processors. OEM mainboards ARE NOT SO FORGIVING. An acceptable risk to one person is not acceptable to another.
1) 8800 GTS 320 is not considered high end nowadays. I've bought several for various builds on eBay in the $75 to $90 range. I bought two for $150 just a month ago (really good deal). It is remotely possible they were hot... The 8600 GT 512's sell for more because people are niave enough to buy them, not realizing that the higher memory amount is not as important as the bandwidth and the GPU.
2) It appears there was some confusion with my definition of cheap. By cheap I do not mean a power supply that does not deliver its advertised wattage or that lacks sufficient amps on the 12 volt rail. I meant a power supply that does not have active power factor correction or built in surge protection such as over current protection. Guess what? IBM workstation power supplies don't come with those features anyway. This is why I use an UPS.
The exact model power supply I am considering I have installed on many dual core desktops with high end video cards, including an Athlon X2 6000 with an 8800 GTS OC. No ill effects. Crysis on all high settings at 30 FPS. A 700 watt power supply to run a measly Pentium D 925 with one video card, one hard drive, and an optical drive is definitely overkill.
3) I've built in the neighborhood of 300 computers in the last two years. I've also repaired power supplies.
There are some companies that have put out power supplies that are not capable of supplying their advertised load, such as Huntkey / Greenstar (occasionally). However, those are the exception. Usually even the cheap power supplies can supply their advertised wattage. The problems with them tend to be that in their primary filtering stage they utilize two capacitors with a voltage doubler instead of one capacitor and a more sophisticated arrangement of mosfet transisters (meaning they lack active power factor correction). In the secondary stage the cheap power supplies omit any type of over current protection or surge protection (in fact you can usually see right on the PCB where the over current circuitry is supposed to go and it just isn't there). Consequently, on a cheaper power supply when you start to put a full load on the machine you get rippling, which is not good. All of these features are only necessary if you are intending to put a demanding load on the power supply and are not using an uninterruptable power supply.
I really hope I don't get banned from this for saying this, but manufactures such as Dell, HP, etc tend to use the cheap Chinese power supplies. They are just rebadged by American manufacturers. You probably have one in your computer right now.
If I was going to put a demanding chip in the system, two video cards in SLI, SATA drives in a RAID configuration, or what have you, I would definitely not skimp out. I would get an Antec or an Epsilon at 700 or 800 watts. That is not what I am going to be doing with this machine.
Message Edited by ViciousLizard on 10-26-2008 05:42 AM
Oh, sorry about that. I just thought that a cheap Chinese brand might be, you know, a little less for something like an 8800GTS. I was assuming something else, didn't know you meant something else by that.
Well, I have the system running with a Pentium D 925 and an 8600 GT. Unfortunately the way the capacitors on the motherboard surround the PCI-E slot, you CAN NOT install a video card as large as an 8800 GT/GTS/GTX.In fact, the 8600 can barely fit.
However, now I have a new problem. According to the latest BIOS upgrade the system can support a Pentium D 925 (D stepping Presler 95 watt). And the computer runs just fine with a Pentium D 925.
The only problem is that every time I start the computer I get the following message:
