Yes you can, however those new M chips are very hard to find and the 2.0 if you can find it costs about $700.00  US.    Joe

 

 

I5150 mobile P4 3.06ghz non H/T
768mb pc2700 ram
60gb@7200rpm Hitachi 7k60 HD
uxga ultrasharp display 15"
Ati mobility 9000 64mb *Omega Drivers*
dvd/cdrw combo drive
bios A33
purchased Aug 2003

Thanks for the response. I have a few more questions since upgrading is possible.

1. Do I need a BIOS upgrade? At the time I ordered my 8600, 1.7GHz was the fastest available. Maybe a new BIOS upgrade
unlocked the ability to install faster processors.
2. Can any Pentium M chip fit? Does it need to be on the processor option list on Dells site?
3. Can I upgrade it myself or do I need to send my laptop into Dell to perform the upgrade?
The warranty is halfway expired and I plan on upgrading long after it has expired so
voiding the warranty won't be an issue for me.

1. You'll need BIOS A08
2. Any CURRENT Pentium M will work - future ones fast than 2.0 GHz will not.
3. You can do it yourself if you are compfortable with doing so. I dont think Dell you even do it for you - even if you paid them.

Good answers from both of you, thanks.

One quick clarification, mattcowger... When you say future ones will not, you mean processors over 2GHz simply will not plug in or the hardware can't support it (i.e. will use a faster BUS speed or something)? I'm sure I can install a new processor granted I get proper directions, I've built desktop computers before so I'm somewhat of an old hat at working with electronics.

It seems that the Pentium-M's over 2 Ghz will be FSB533 when they come out, but the i8600 seems to support only FSB400.

Yeah. what he said :).

The P4-M is a totally different CPU than the P-M. No P4-M will work in your notebook.

I understand. Any word on if Intel will be making processors 2GHz+ with the 400MHz FSB? I can see both AMD and Intel will make a processor in a couple varieties, like one processor speed may have 2 or 3 different cache sizes or bus speeds? Do you know if Intel will be doing that past the 2GHz line? If they are, I can wait to get a faster processor. If 2GHz will be truly the fastest available for my chipset, I only need to wait for the price to be low enough to buy.

edit: I was doing some browsing, and I came across a 2.2GHz Mobile P4-m that has a 400MHz bus for sale here. That is faster than 2GHz but still has the 400MHz, and the Manufacturer Part number is consistent with Intels part number list here. Could I purchase something off the shelf from anyone and it'll still fit or does it need to be purchased from Dell Spare Parts because they modify the processor to fit?

Message Edited by LighthouseJ on 06-16-2004 08:51 AM

Correct. The Intel 855PM chipset in use on the i8600 will only support Pentium-M processors with a 400MHz FSB... which stops at 2.0GHz Intel 755 at the moment. Pentium-M Porcessors past this point will run on a 533MHz FSB and require the Intel 955 chipset (Number of that chipset may change... but you get the drift).
stu

Yeah, the Mobil P4-M is totally different from the Pentium M, it will not work. The Pentium-M @ 400MHz FSB will stop at 2.0GHz. As mentioned, anything past that will be the new model @ 533MHz FSB and not compatible. Intel has no plans for futher models at the 400MHz FSB past 2.0GHz. End of Story.
stu