What's the difference between "mobile" chips and ones that are not "mobile"?

Morpheus · 03-28-2008, 08:52 PM

I have a couple of "mobile" Intel P-4 chips that I am trying to find a use for. I am not aware of anyone selling blank laptop chassis. So I began to think HTPC (home theatre PC). Since they are "mobile" chips I didn't know if I could plug them into a regular MoBo or not. I don't want to spend money on parts and in end up feeling like a doof. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who could expound on the compatibility or incompatibilty of the chips. Is it as simple as matching up the socket? What exactly does "mobile" mean?

DarkFury · 03-28-2008, 09:31 PM

I would think that the mobile chips have the ability to clock themselves down to lower speeds to conserve battery power in a laptop... versus a standard desktop chip that runs at full speed all the time.

renovation · 03-28-2008, 10:46 PM

some times it means no metal cap, other times it means less voltage or less cache

Chgoman · 03-29-2008, 09:36 AM

Depending on the chip, as renovation said, they generally run at less voltage so that they don't need as much cooling which is more challenging in a laptop chassis as well as less power consumption so that batteries don't drain as fast.

Morpheus · 03-29-2008, 04:21 PM

The power consumption explanation makes sense (they had "step" software that went with them). I also inquired with the manufacturer of the MoBo I was considering purchasing. I haven't heard back from them as of yet. I hope they function just like non "mobile" counterparts. Renovation made mention of no metal cap . . . Ummm . . . what was he saying?

Jeffbx · 03-31-2008, 05:42 AM

Maybe he meant no heatsink?

They still need one, but it's typically some complex heatpipe arrangement inside of the laptop, rather than anything included with the chip.

renovation · 03-31-2008, 08:31 PM

ya sorry - a different type of cooling system used ! has to do more with the motherboard then chip set

Morpheus · 03-31-2008, 09:58 PM

The metal cap (gotta act like I know :-) ) was combined with a fan designed to vent out the side. I was considering replacing it with a "microcool noth pole xe whisper". I am still researching audio and video cards. I would really like high quality surround sound (RCA and computer speaker outputs) and video w/ PC monitor, RCA and HDMI outputs. I love suggestion (only suggestions that you can personally vouch for). They say to older DVD drives because they don't spin so fast and that creates less noise. I don't know what kinda noise blu-ray or HD DVD drives produce.

Jeffbx · 04-01-2008, 05:27 AM

Are those 478-pin P4s?

If so, look for a Dell 400SC MB/case. Those things are perfect for HTPC - very very quiet yet the PS can power whatever you put in there.

03-28-2008, 08:52 PM	#1
Morpheus Ensign Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Southfield, MI, USA Posts: 10	What's the difference between "mobile" chips and ones that are not "mobile"? I have a couple of "mobile" Intel P-4 chips that I am trying to find a use for. I am not aware of anyone selling blank laptop chassis. So I began to think HTPC (home theatre PC). Since they are "mobile" chips I didn't know if I could plug them into a regular MoBo or not. I don't want to spend money on parts and in end up feeling like a doof. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who could expound on the compatibility or incompatibilty of the chips. Is it as simple as matching up the socket? What exactly does "mobile" mean?

03-28-2008, 09:31 PM	#2
DarkFury Secretary of the Navy Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Chillin' N Da 'Hood Posts: 34,997	I would think that the mobile chips have the ability to clock themselves down to lower speeds to conserve battery power in a laptop... versus a standard desktop chip that runs at full speed all the time. __________________ DarkFury's Pimptopia - Don't Hate the Playa, Hate the Game! Home of the Original OG Pimp (accept NO imitations)

03-28-2008, 10:46 PM	#3
renovation Admiral Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: You could pick up Lindsay Lohan for less than a intel 990x, and still have money left over to bail her outta jail Posts: 5,029	some times it means no metal cap, other times it means less voltage or less cache __________________ You could pick up Lindsay Lohan for less than a intel 990x, and still have money left over to bail her outta jail

03-29-2008, 04:21 PM	#5
Morpheus Ensign Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Southfield, MI, USA Posts: 10	The power consumption explanation makes sense (they had "step" software that went with them). I also inquired with the manufacturer of the MoBo I was considering purchasing. I haven't heard back from them as of yet. I hope they function just like non "mobile" counterparts. Renovation made mention of no metal cap . . . Ummm . . . what was he saying? Last edited by Morpheus : 03-29-2008 at 04:25 PM.

03-31-2008, 08:31 PM	#7
renovation Admiral Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: You could pick up Lindsay Lohan for less than a intel 990x, and still have money left over to bail her outta jail Posts: 5,029	ya sorry - a different type of cooling system used ! has to do more with the motherboard then chip set Last edited by renovation : 03-31-2008 at 08:34 PM.

03-29-2008, 09:36 AM	#4
Chgoman Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 696	Depending on the chip, as renovation said, they generally run at less voltage so that they don't need as much cooling which is more challenging in a laptop chassis as well as less power consumption so that batteries don't drain as fast.

03-31-2008, 05:42 AM	#6
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	Maybe he meant no heatsink? They still need one, but it's typically some complex heatpipe arrangement inside of the laptop, rather than anything included with the chip.

03-31-2008, 09:58 PM	#8
Morpheus Ensign Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Southfield, MI, USA Posts: 10	The metal cap (gotta act like I know :-) ) was combined with a fan designed to vent out the side. I was considering replacing it with a "microcool noth pole xe whisper". I am still researching audio and video cards. I would really like high quality surround sound (RCA and computer speaker outputs) and video w/ PC monitor, RCA and HDMI outputs. I love suggestion (only suggestions that you can personally vouch for). They say to older DVD drives because they don't spin so fast and that creates less noise. I don't know what kinda noise blu-ray or HD DVD drives produce. Last edited by Morpheus : 03-31-2008 at 10:03 PM.

04-01-2008, 05:27 AM	#9
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	Are those 478-pin P4s? If so, look for a Dell 400SC MB/case. Those things are perfect for HTPC - very very quiet yet the PS can power whatever you put in there.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

User Name
Password
Remember Me?