Based on THIS I figure that a CPU upgrade in my laptop would most certainly be attainable... however I am curious as to whether or not you guys feel that my MoBo will properly detect various CPUs....I currently have a T5450 installed in the system.

Basically I am looking at possibly:

1) T7500

2) T8100

3) T9300

The only problem is I am not that familiar with notebooks' CPUs in regard to their universiality -- will a 'socket P CPU' fit in ANY socket P notebook mobo?

Any replies are appreciated!! :)

I never done anything like this.

I assume that upgrading a laptop's CPU isn't very different from a desktop in that you have to know what your motherboard can support.

So I would have to guess that the best thing to do is to find out as much info about your motherboard as possible. Then you can maybe see what the manufacturer's specs are if they have a website with the info.

Just like with desktops. A socket 775 CPU won't work in any socket 775 motherboard.

This is kind of what I had assumed -- however compatibility normally differs between CPU series' ... That is obviously a mobo that originally supported a S775 Pentium D MIGHT have trouble supporting a S775 Core 2 Quad. That said, if I were to upgrade from a Core 2 to another Core 2 generally that'd be fine on most desktop mobos....that is what I am not sure of with my current mobo or how much pickier laptop boards are....

I will see what I can dig up on my mobo and report back none-the-less

EDIT:

So here is what I could find in 5 minutes on my mobo.....hopefully google can tell me what this chipset actually supports

Manufacturer: Gateway

Model: M-6750 with vers. 95.04 (Phoenix BIOS)

NB: Intel GM965

SB: Intel 82801HBM

LPCIO: NS

Sorry to double post but intel told me THIS ... however it makes no mention of the T5xxx series which is kind of weird since that is what I have on my notebook; I would LOVE to get into the T8xxx series though because its based on 45nm....but its not like I can just buy one to try as I do not want to pay restocking and such.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Hey Ice, I have a simple solution to your problem. Just check out which CPUs Gateway is offering for the rest of their current notebook line-up using that chassis. I'd be willing to bet money that all of the models using that chassis also use the same mobo. Simply a matter of saving development and manufacturing costs. 

I'd say it's pretty safe to assume the T7xxx series will work. I am not sure about T8xxx but I don't see why not. There would be no physical differences for the socket or in terms of voltage delivery (doesn't the T8xxx use less voltage than the T7xxx?), but the BIOS may not recognize it correctly. That's why checking out the other Gateway models would help. 

Once you confirm compatability of whatever cpu you wanna upgrade to, there is the issue of more heat to consider with a faster cpu.

recoveringknowitall:

Once you confirm compatability of whatever cpu you wanna upgrade to, there is the issue of more heat to consider with a faster cpu.

 

But assuming Gateway doesn't use different coolers for each of their models, if a certain chassis can handle a certain CPU, then you should be able to upgrade to it. I know for sure the M-6750 chassis is used in a bunch of Gateway models that have much better processors. I doubt they would go so far as to use a cheaper cooler in the M-6750 than the other models, although that isn't out of the realm of possibility. I guess you are taking a slight risk, but nothing that some careful temperature monitoring couldn't rule-out in short order. 

recoveringknowitall:

there is the issue of more heat to consider

Which i have thought out also -- I wanted the T8xxx series because they are 45nm and would run cooler but I just realized because of 3 posts ago (indirectly from Mike), I wouldn't be able to adjust my voltages; meaning that potentially be overvolting my T8xxx CPU because 65nm CPUs generally use more voltage. I can use in-Windows OCing (that I would use to undervolt) utilities I suppose.....

I see that THIS is, for the most part, identical case chassis to mine but seemingly uses a different MoBo because it has onboard ATI 2600 mobility GFX (mine has intel-based x3100 series)

I am about 90% sure it would accept anything form the T7xxx series from varying forums that I have read through since yesterday -- but T8xxx series I am afraid would be "plug n pray"

Your motherboard was made before the T8xxx series right? If it can support it but can't recognize it, shouldn't they release a new BIOS to correct this on future laptops? So maybe you can look into the release notes to see if it supports the new series.

Just a thought...