Dell Inspiron 1545 Processor type

The following forum posts should help as it has a list of possible CPUs that are compatible. The T9800 is on that list.

https://www.dell.com/community/Laptops-General-Read-Only/Dell-Inspiron-1545-CPU-Upgrade/td-p/4479530

@steveu9 

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/CPUs/Intel/Pentium_Dual-Core_Mobile/T4200.html

Regards,

U2

@JOcean. Thanks. In the thread you posted, next to each processor it says 3M or 6M. Is that referring to the MB cache?

The reason I ask is because in this video in the comments, they say that the Inspiron 1545 is only compatible with 1MB 2MB or 3MB cache.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL9z2uFBjkU

@U2CAMEB4ME. Thanks.

The processor I'm considering the T9800 2.93 GHz, it says the Stepping is E0 but the T4200 processor is R0. On that basis, would it be best to choose another processor?

@steveu9 

Any T9800 will run fine in an Inspiron 1545, regardless of stepping. (I think all T9800's are E0, anyway). The E0 stepping is the best one to have, because it has lower power consumption.

I've worked with many Inspiron 1545s over the years, and upgraded them to T9600, T9800, T9900 and even E8435 (the 3.06 GHz model made for Apple). In fact, I'm typing this response on a 1545 running an E8435.

Go ahead and do the upgrade if you want. But replacing the slow mechanical HDD with an SSD helps just as much.

I bought a T9900 on eBay, and it doesn't seem to work in my Inspiron 1545. I'm running Win10 Pro from an SSD and have 4GB RAM. From many forums I believe this processor should work. I've switched back to the T4500 and it works. I've swapped back and forth a number of times now, and all the machine will do with the T9900 installed is briefly flash the power light on the front when I press the power button. I don't get anything at all on the screen, no beeps, no fan, nothing. Can't even get into the BIOS (which is on the latest version A14).

Do you think I can safely complain that the processor I bought on eBay is faulty and ask for my money back?

BTW, I am good with practical electronic stuff. I take anti-static precautions, use MX-4 thermal paste, etc, so I don't think I've "damaged" the processor. I've recently replaced keyboards in two ASUS UX31E ultrabooks (complete dismantle and rebuild). Also just upgraded an ACER Veriton x270 from E5300 to a Core 2 Quad Q9650 sucessfully.

I suspect clock rate might be the problem.  I think you may have to change settings on the board to account for this.  I plan to upgrade in the future, but I have chosen the Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 as it has the same clock speed of 2.1 Ghz.  Yours has a different speed and you must account for this somewhere - used to be switches on the motherboard.  See: http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/CPUs/Intel/Pentium_Dual-Core_Mobile/T4300.html

Welcome to the Dell Community  @ydoow 

Sounds like the processor is "DOA"

Ask the seller for an exchange or refund.

The CPU should work with no problems.

Just make sure the BIOS is up to date.

Best regards,

U2

If you are having trouble using the t9900 CPU and would like to trade I would definitely be interested. I am currently looking for a t9900 CPU and I have T9600 CPU that I'm currently using in my Inspiron 1545. The t9600 CPU works great but if you would like to trade for the t9900 since you are having issues with it I would be willing to work something out with you if you're interested. Let me know shoot me an email