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Notebook conversion - CPU / GPU fan advice sought
So I am in the process of converting my old ACER5920G laptop into a "cyberdeck", or rather, something that looks like the immensely cool old MSX2 computers [1]. I have disassembled the laptop, stripped it down entirely. I now have a bare motherboard.
I would like make an entirely fanless system if I can help it, or at least I would like to make the CPU (Intel T5500) and GPU cooled with a massive and "decorative" heatsink, and perhaps add a few foam-mounted extractor fans at the back of the case I am hoping to custom make.
But I know _nothing_ really about these things. What would be my options to keep this piece of junk alive, but make it dead silent and yet reasonably cool?
Aug 22 · 9 days ago · 👍 ibannieto, bw
💀 requiem [OP] · Aug 22 at 16:38:
For reference, here's the service manual:
Hi! Acer 5920g has very good design and it is very "upgradable".
You can upgrade CPU to Intel T9500 (twice more performance relative to T5500).
GPU can be upgraded to nVidia 9600m GT - twice faster then 8600m GT, but use more power, so you need improved cooling.
Also Acer 5920g has two mPCI slots - you may add some additional mPCI card. In some completions of 5920g there is tv-tuner installed in this slot. And notebook has PCIMCA slot, so you may plug WiFI and two other devices (mPCI + PCIMCA)
WiFi can be upgraded to 802.11ac, but you need to replace antennas to duble diapasoned once (2.4/5GHz). 802.11ac allows up to 3 MIMO so you may add third antenna into some place inside the notebook. You will need an additional antenna cable for this.
HDD also can be replaced to modern SSD.
💀 requiem [OP] · Aug 24 at 11:43:
Yes, it's a really nice, upgradable laptop as you say. I already stripped it down to parts entirely.
The T9500 seems like a really good call. Thank you.
I want to stay clear of nVidia because I want to install OpenBSD on it, the Radeon cards are better supported. The video RAM seems to be dead on its Graphics Card so I have to replace that anyway, to be honest I think I will just go with what is cheapest there. I might add more RAM.
I already have an SSD.
But I'm converting it to a Desktop basically; so I am wondering about the cooling. I took off the "factory" heatsink and fan and I would like to replace it with some LARGE heatsinks. What size do I need?
The factory cooling system can cooldown ~55W of heating power (35W CPU + 20WGPU). You may check your GPU power. I think you can replace videocard to any MXM-II. But i think you need to upgrade BIOS to install any other then 8600m GT (it's factory gpu). BIOS was aviable at acer web-site.
Also you can upgrade memory - maximum are two modules of DDR2 2GB 800Mhz (T9600 has 800MHz memory controller)
real life thermal output of the CPU? 35W need a BIG passive HS, 65W needs few KG worth of passive HS!
check out jcs.org for his passive desktop build