Ugrading DV6700 To Create Virtual Machine Help/Advice

[TheKraken]

I have an HP DV6700, more specifically a KC424UA running Windows 7. I'm a musician and have been using Windows DAW's for music editing but I want to make a switch over to Digital Performer and Logic, which only run on Mac. My current processor is an Intel T5550 which doesn't have VT-x, so I can't make an OS X virtual machine. I generally dislike using Mac's, so I don't want to buy one, and if it's possible to upgrade my current machine to work I'd rather do that than buy a new one. I have a few questions:

1) Is it possible to upgrade my processor to a processor with VT-x? I'm not sure about all the compatibility issues regarding all the hardware, I've tried to do my research but I'm still a little confused. Here's the spec's for my comp (taken from CPU-Z), if you need a spec that I missed just let me know:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 1.83 Ghz
Socket: Socket P (478)
Motherboard: Quanta 30CC
Chipset: Intel GM965
Bios: HP F.45

I've been doing some research and I believe an Intel T7600 will work but I'm not sure. Anyone know if it will or know of other compatible processors?

2) Even if an upgraded processor with VT-x is compatible with my computer are there any other hardware issues that might prevent VT-x from allowing me to create a virtual machine like my machine using an older motherboard, etc.?

3) Does anyone have any knowledge about the practical use of OS X on a virtual machine? Even if the hardware works and I can create a virtual machine, does anyone have a clue if it would be stable enough, etc. to run a program as intensive as a DAW?

I know I put up a lot of questions but if anyone has any help for me I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks y'all!

[Katmai500]

As far as the CPU upgrade goes the T7600 will not work. It is a Socket M CPU, whereas the T5550 is a Socket P CPU. This is actually a good thing, because the faster T9300 and T9500 CPUs *should* work in your motherboard. The GM965 chipset supports these CPUs and their 800MHz FSBs.

The odds are that the motherboard in that dv6753cl was used in many other HP laptop models (dv67xx), so it would not be surprising for it to have shipped with higher spec'd CPUs in other models. Therefore the features of the higher end CPUs such as VT-x should be supported.

Someone may be able to chime in with information about your specific laptop model, but as a general rule the upgrades I listed above should work. The best bet is to order one from a source with a return policy, upgrade to the latest BIOS, pop the chip in, and see what happens.

I'm not too familiar with the OSX aspect as far as performance with DAW.

Regardless, the T9300/T9500 would be a MAJOR upgrade over the T5550.

[TheKraken]

Thanks for your help! I have been SO confused with all of the socket types. When I ran CPU-Z it showed my comp as having a socket P. The intel specs list the T550 as having a socket PPGA-478 and an FSB of 667, and then I just tried to match those to the highest Mhz processor I could find. I was really confused though, because I thought that a Socket P is actually a micro-FCPGA-478? It seemed everywhere I looked I was running into socket identification issues. Thank you so much!

[TheKraken]

So I checked on the HP website for BIOS info and the version I have was designed to support the T9300/9500. HP has had 4 BIOS updates since then: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/previousVersions?softwareitem=ob-62510-1&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&os=2100&product=3659262&sw_lang=

I was wondering since the new processor would be supported would it be worth it to update to the newest BIOS version from HP, since it can be a sometimes fragile procedure......

[jrmunro]

[Katmai500]

[TheKraken]

Thanks for your help! I was definitely going to get some good thermal paste. Right now my fan is working harder than it should, I'm sure the thermal paste is one of the reasons. I've blown out the fan area with compressed air a few times and it definitely helped but it didn't totally resolve the situation. I also use a cooling pad which helps. While I have the comp apart I was also planning on replacing the fan (just so that if cleaning it out while it's apart doesn't do the trick), installing a bluetooth module (has anyone tried installing a bluetooth module? There are other dv6700's that have onboard bluetooth but mine doesn't so I figured that my motherboard can take it. That way I don't have to use an express card bluetooth.) and I also have to replace the power button bezel, So after all this my computer should be good as new...actually better than new.

[TheKraken]

So I finally got the new (to me) T9500 in and it works like a charm. Replaced a few minor things like the cpu fan while i was in there.

I have one slight problem though and don't know if anyone can point me in the right direction. While I had the laptop apart I also installed an HP bluetooth module. My laptop didn't come with one but I'm positive it's bluetooth capable. Since I've installed the chip and the drivers the bluetooth randomly goes from "on" to "disabled" fairly frequently. When it's on it works great. I was thinking that this might be a BIOS issue and was going to upgrade my BIOS, and this is where I run into trouble, as I don't want to brick my computer. However I was wondering if it might be worth taking the laptop all the way apart again and trying to re-seat the bluetooth chip and cable.

I have windows 7 and my BIOS version is the hp F.45. On the HP website they have support to upgrade to the a newer BIOS version, but the winflash utility is only for Vista 64-bit, not Windows 7 64-bit. Would this work? I really don't want to brink my comp after replacing the CPU, so if anyone has some advice I'd appreciate it!

[TheKraken]

Nevermind everyone. I figured it out and updated the BIOS no problem. Everythings good so thanks for everyones help!

[Katmai500]

Happy to hear that it all worked out well!