Which sockets for Intel Core 2 Duo T9300?

[twente77]

Hi! I just registered and hope to learn a lot!

Recently my old laptop died. I removed several components, among others a CPU: an Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 (I'll add a picture). On the CPU it says: FF80576T9300. On the (pink) socket it says: mPGA478MN.

I'm thinking about building a PC, as small as possible, to use as a NAS / server using the CPU en RAM from the laptop. The RAM is 4GB which should enable me to install Windows 10 and run it smoothly for that purpose.

So far, so good... After a couple of days of looking for information online, I'm at loss as to which socket(s) can take this CPU. Ofcourse, the socket that is on the motherboard in the dead laptop (mPGA478MN). However, I've found information about other sockets being able to take this CPU. That would widen the horizon for motherboard I could buy for the new PC. I'll not include the information I found, because I don't want to muddle the water. I'm not very knowledgable and I just can't figure it out.

The question in short: what sockets can actually take this CPU and make best use of it? Which socket would be the best? Could you guys help me?

Thanks!

[Wasmachineman_NL]

Sell that CPU to some ThinkPad enthusiast and buy an RPi instead, desktop motherboards for Socket P (the T9300's socket) are almost non-existent.

En als je besluit hem weg te doen heb ik misschien wel interesse.

[Calbris]

Agreed. Socket P motherboards are very difficult to find. Even if you do manage to find such a motherboard, the chances of it being an industrial motherboard would be very high. Generally, that means you'd be paying a lot more than a consumer motherboard. It's not worth it in my opinion, because of these rip-off prices: https://www.ebay.com/itm/353803769666

The cheaper 'motherboards' tend to be industrial computer-on-modules, which are usually proprietary and don't work alone unless you have a host board that can use the module.

[twente77]

Thanks for the amazingly quick replies! Very informative and they've made me rethink my plans. Right before posting this I switched out the CPU (a T7100) of another laptop (my parents') with the T9300 and it functions flawlessly. Maybe I'll just let them enjoy the "upgrade"and delve deeper into Wasmachineman_NL's suggestions...

[debs3759]

It's not impossible to find a socket P desktop motherboard. When I looked, I had a choice of a few. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193243942954 is the cheapest I can see right now.

[debs3759]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193172390147 has more expansion slots

[Calbris]

I didn't imply that it is impossible, it's more of a hassle. Additionally, those motherboards that you mentioned are sold without an included heatsink for the processor. I don't think Socket P heatsinks meant for desktop motherboards are common or universal to begin with.

For instance, the ASUS IMISR-VM's heatsink assembly appears to be secured down with aluminium hooks. The AOpen i45GMt-HR on the other hand, seems to be using Socket 478's backplate. It's as if there is no standard to begin with.

Still, these are good recommendations, but are they really worth the trouble? A Raspberry Pi 4 Model B would be a much better choice for a compact NAS.

[mavroxur]

Desktop Socket P motherboards are rare. Portwell makes a few nice ones though if you're dead set on that. I use a Portwell board in my home server (not socket P though) and they're super solid boards.