Some time ago I posted about installing Windows XP onto my new Acer Extensa 5620-6830 laptop. It's a nice little machine- the price was right, and standard specs aren't bad. But here's some information that could be helpful to anyone with this budget best Buy laptop and wants to get the most bang for their buck!
This guide will cover tips for upgrading, maintenance, plus tweaks and tricks specific for this and other similar model laptops. Learn how to double your battery life, what hardware can be replaced, and if it's smart to do so. In conjunction with my other Instructables, this has some valuable tidbits specific to notebook computers.
Contents:
1.Memory
2.Bluetooth/Wifi
3.CPU (hardware)
4.CPU (software)
5.Misc. Tweaks
6.Final thoughts
This guide will cover tips for upgrading, maintenance, plus tweaks and tricks specific for this and other similar model laptops. Learn how to double your battery life, what hardware can be replaced, and if it's smart to do so. In conjunction with my other Instructables, this has some valuable tidbits specific to notebook computers.
Contents:
1.Memory
2.Bluetooth/Wifi
3.CPU (hardware)
4.CPU (software)
5.Misc. Tweaks
6.Final thoughts
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: Memory (RAM & Hard Drive)
The Extensa 5620-6830 comes with 1GB of DDR2 memory. That's two sticks of 512MB. This unit technically supports 4GB; 2 x 2GB modules. However, unless you're running a 64-bit operating system (if you have to ask how you'd know, trust me... you're not) then only about 3GB will be usable. There's no fix for this, it's just a fact. All standard 32-bit operating systems are coded this way.
Due to this, I decided to purchase two 1GB modules (making 2GB total). I find that to be plenty sufficient; I've never run out of memory in XP. Keep in mind, Vista will use about 1GB just to boot and run. You'll want to buy 667Mhz modules. There are 800MHz modules out there, but 99% of laptops on the market can't operate at that frequency. You'd be paying extra money for nothing, plus risking incompatibility.
There is an obvious single "hatch" on the bottom of the unit through which we access nearly everything- wifi card, RAM, hard drive, and CPU. You'll need a small philips-head screwdriver to open this. You shouldn't have to apply force once the screws are out, though take note of the plastic tabs along one side.
The stock hard drive is a TOSHIBA MK2035GSS 200GB drive. It runs at 4200RPM, has an 8MB Cache, and uses Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR) combined with Tunnel Magneto-resistive Recording (TMR) Head Technology. All that jargon supposedly means it's roughly as fast as a 5400rpm drive. I find it acceptable. There's faster drives out there, but is it worth wasting the $165 on a 200GB 7200rpm drive just to replace the original 200GB? You'd see a lot more heat, less battery life, and a big chunk out of your pocketbook.
The choice is yours, but I'm waiting for a faster (or equivelent-speed) 320GB drive.
Due to this, I decided to purchase two 1GB modules (making 2GB total). I find that to be plenty sufficient; I've never run out of memory in XP. Keep in mind, Vista will use about 1GB just to boot and run. You'll want to buy 667Mhz modules. There are 800MHz modules out there, but 99% of laptops on the market can't operate at that frequency. You'd be paying extra money for nothing, plus risking incompatibility.
There is an obvious single "hatch" on the bottom of the unit through which we access nearly everything- wifi card, RAM, hard drive, and CPU. You'll need a small philips-head screwdriver to open this. You shouldn't have to apply force once the screws are out, though take note of the plastic tabs along one side.
The stock hard drive is a TOSHIBA MK2035GSS 200GB drive. It runs at 4200RPM, has an 8MB Cache, and uses Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR) combined with Tunnel Magneto-resistive Recording (TMR) Head Technology. All that jargon supposedly means it's roughly as fast as a 5400rpm drive. I find it acceptable. There's faster drives out there, but is it worth wasting the $165 on a 200GB 7200rpm drive just to replace the original 200GB? You'd see a lot more heat, less battery life, and a big chunk out of your pocketbook.
The choice is yours, but I'm waiting for a faster (or equivelent-speed) 320GB drive.
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
I googled some other sites and others have ben having problems with tis as well. Do yo have any solutions?
Mic works.
BUT the battery went completely downhill. Used to be over 2 hours in XP and within week of installing W7 the battery went to 15 minutes.
Any fix, possible to update battery driver??
Thanks.
The two mismatched chips seem to work well with each other, but would I have an increase in speed if I replaced the slower chip with a faster one?
Also, it may sound funny, but upgrading the cpu is a big help. The original has a 65nm core, which puts out quite a bit more heat than the newer 45nm design. My temps have gone down since installing a 2.6Ghz T9500!
Also I am thinking about putting Windows 7 on my Acer 5620 as I can for free, do you recommend doing so?
The P8400 will not work in our 5620's, or any GM965 chipset for that matter. Our maximum FSB speed is 800Mhz; the P8400 uses a 1066Mhz FSB.
By the way, when I bought this the first thing I did was take it to my local geek shop and to have Vista removed. They installed XP and it's run perfectly ever since.
Thanks.