Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Moderator: ModTeam

daroca
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 15:12
Product(s): Fujitsu Lifebook E756, Linux Mint 18.3, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 32GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook E754, Linux Mint Cinnamon 19, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 16 GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook AH531/GFO, Linux Mint 18.3, upgraded to 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 16GB RAM, i7-2670QM CPU, Intel Wireless 3160

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby daroca » Thu Nov 19, 2020 16:46

@syn_burz I just ran a check with wavemon, it shows that the Intel 3160 is running at 5180 MHz. No modifications on the antenna.
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

syn_burz
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2020 23:32
Product(s): Fujitsu Lifebook AH531/GFO

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby syn_burz » Fri Nov 20, 2020 17:26

OK. So I guess I have no other option but to give it a shot. :) Fingers crossed.

daroca
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 15:12
Product(s): Fujitsu Lifebook E756, Linux Mint 18.3, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 32GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook E754, Linux Mint Cinnamon 19, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 16 GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook AH531/GFO, Linux Mint 18.3, upgraded to 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 16GB RAM, i7-2670QM CPU, Intel Wireless 3160

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby daroca » Sat Nov 21, 2020 17:03

Let us know how it went, please.
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

Siema_CoTam
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 18:01
Product(s): AH531/GFO

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby Siema_CoTam » Tue Dec 22, 2020 20:08

I have AH531/GFO.

My upgrade is:
- processor Intel Core i7-2820QM;
- 2x8GB RAM;
- SSD + HDD (without CD/DVD drive);
- Intel Wireless 7260AC card;
- programing overclocking GPU to GT 555M.

About WiFi cards:
- tested WiFi cards 7260AC and 3160 AC, BT works with no pin mod, needed only Windows Update Driver Update. Tests of WiFi card like below. Thats why I choosed 7260AC.
Image
Image
Image

Processors:
- processor clocks (by ark intel) are 2,3GHz and 3,4GHz with TurboBoost. Unfortunately max clock is 2,6GHz. I update microcodes but no changes. But this is still better performance than i-7 2640M (2,8GHz/3,5GHz). I changed AC adapter (for more power) but still no changes.
Image
daroca, do you have a similar problem with your i7-2670QM?

Question:
- I dont know what to choose for ExpressCards. 3xUSB 3.0 ports, 64GB SSD or mayby something other.

daroca
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 15:12
Product(s): Fujitsu Lifebook E756, Linux Mint 18.3, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 32GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook E754, Linux Mint Cinnamon 19, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 16 GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook AH531/GFO, Linux Mint 18.3, upgraded to 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 16GB RAM, i7-2670QM CPU, Intel Wireless 3160

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby daroca » Wed Dec 23, 2020 11:10

@Siema_CoTam I am running my AH531 on Linux, so I can only guess what I see on your last screenshot. Running 'sudo inxi -Fmps' in a terminal gives me

CPU: Quad core Intel Core i7-2670QM (-MT-MCP-) cache: 6144 KB
clock speeds: max: 3100 MHz 1: 1484 MHz 2: 1254 MHz 3: 1607 MHz 4: 1122 MHz
5: 1374 MHz 6: 1564 MHz 7: 1308 MHz 8: 1946 MHz

during a Linux Mint software install. Clock speeds per thread vary between 800 MHz while idling, and 2900 Mhz while booting a Windows10 on Virtualbox. My guess is that the processor doesn't run at its top frequency all the time but the OS determines what is needed. Would make a lot of sense for saving energy, especially if you run on battery. More power in the adapter probably just reduces charging time for the battery.

Happy holidays!
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

Siema_CoTam
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 18:01
Product(s): AH531/GFO

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby Siema_CoTam » Sun Dec 27, 2020 13:34

I was tesing max frequency with processor stress apps but this value is max. I was thinking the problem is temperature but isn't. I updated microcodes, BIOS and other. Still the same.

Can you check max freq with Open Hardware Monitor or Intel® Power Gadget? (both available for Linux)

daroca
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 15:12
Product(s): Fujitsu Lifebook E756, Linux Mint 18.3, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 32GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook E754, Linux Mint Cinnamon 19, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 16 GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook AH531/GFO, Linux Mint 18.3, upgraded to 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 16GB RAM, i7-2670QM CPU, Intel Wireless 3160

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby daroca » Mon Dec 28, 2020 17:34

Sorry but Open Hardware Monitor requires Mono with WinForms to run on Linux, which would cause more pain than it's worth, and Intel® Power Gadget runs on Mac and Windows only.

Here's the output of two runs of auto-cpufreq, which shows that the CPU frequencies vary with the load, within the min/max specs.

CPU frequencies vary with CPU load and temperatures, and it makes a lot of sense not to have the CPU run at full throttle all the time. It just burns up electricity and would just wait for your next input much "faster".

Happy days! :smile:

Linux distro: Linux Mint 19.3 (Tricia)
Linux kernel: 4.15.0-128-generic
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2670QM CPU @ 2.20GHz
Cores: 8
Architecture: x86_64
Driver: intel_pstate

------------------------------ Current CPU states ------------------------------

CPU max frequency: 3100 MHz
CPU min frequency: 800 MHz

.............. Usage | .. T ... | Frequency
CPU0: ..... 0.0% | 79 °C | 2995 MHz
CPU1: . 100.0% | 79 °C | 3068 MHz
CPU2: ..... 1.0% | 61 °C | 2903 MHz
CPU3: ..... 0.0% | 61 °C | 2886 MHz
CPU4: ..... 1.0% | 55 °C | 2631 MHz
CPU5: ..... 0.0% | 55 °C | 2883 MHz
CPU6: ..... 0.0% | 53 °C | 2653 MHz
CPU7: ..... 0.0% | 53 °C | 2975 MHz

---------------------------- CPU frequency scaling ----------------------------

Battery is: charging

Currently using: powersave governor
Suggesting use of "performance" governor

Total CPU usage: 15.4 %
Total system load: 1.23
Average temp. of all cores: 62.0 °C

High CPU load
suggesting to set turbo boost: on
Currently turbo boost is: on

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Linux distro: Linux Mint 19.3 (Tricia)
Linux kernel: 4.15.0-128-generic
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2670QM CPU @ 2.20GHz
Cores: 8
Architecture: x86_64
Driver: intel_pstate

------------------------------ Current CPU states ------------------------------

CPU max frequency: 3100 MHz
CPU min frequency: 800 MHz

.............. Usage | .. T ... | Frequency
CPU0: ... 32.7% | 63 °C | 1103 MHz
CPU1: ..... 1.0% | 63 °C | 1317 MHz
CPU2: ..... 0.0% | 57 °C | ..957 MHz
CPU3: ..... 3.0% | 57 °C | 1143 MHz
CPU4: ..... 0.0% | 54 °C | ..959 MHz
CPU5: ..... 0.0% | 54 °C | 1284 MHz
CPU6: ..... 0.0% | 53 °C | ..886 MHz
CPU7: ... 54.0% | 53 °C | ..853 MHz

---------------------------- CPU frequency scaling ----------------------------

Battery is: charging

Currently using: powersave governor
Suggesting use of "performance" governor

Total CPU usage: 5.2 %
Total system load: 0.67
Average temp. of all cores: 56.75 °C

High CPU load
suggesting to set turbo boost: on
Currently turbo boost is: on

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

Siema_CoTam
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 18:01
Product(s): AH531/GFO

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby Siema_CoTam » Tue Jan 05, 2021 22:08

So, it's looks u havent problem with turbo boost Luke me. Anyone upgraded to i7 qm?

Ahmedsafian

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby Ahmedsafian » Sat Jan 30, 2021 11:04

My upgrade so far : :D

From i5 240m to I7 2630qm
From 4 gb ram ddr3 samsung to 16 gb ram ddr3 samsung
From 500 gb hdd segate to Ssd 240 gb wd
Caddy for hdd

Thanks to you people :D i can love my laptop again

But i have questions ?

Can i upgrade to intel core i7-2960xm for ah531?
Can i add internal nvidia gpu ?
Can i replace my keyboard with RGB keyboard?
What is the use of express cards?
Can i insert sim card into the laptop? And how

daroca
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 15:12
Product(s): Fujitsu Lifebook E756, Linux Mint 18.3, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 32GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook E754, Linux Mint Cinnamon 19, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 16 GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook AH531/GFO, Linux Mint 18.3, upgraded to 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 16GB RAM, i7-2670QM CPU, Intel Wireless 3160

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby daroca » Sat Jan 30, 2021 17:10

Ahmedsafian wrote:My upgrade so far : :D

Nice, well done :)

Can i upgrade to intel core i7-2960xm for ah531?

The i7-2960XM fits into a FCPGA988 socket, so it looks as if it may be working.
The only caution I would like to add is that the i7-2960XM pulls 55W, while the system is designed for 35W CPUs so the i7-2960XM pulls nearly 60% more energy than the CPUs the AH531 was designed for. Here's a comparison:
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/compare.html?productIds=52224,52227,53469,53478
Column 1: AH531 standard CPU from data sheet
Column 2: CPU in my AH531
Column 3: CPU in @Siema_CoTam's AH531 (post further above)
Column 4: CPU you are suggesting, @Ahmedsafian.

CPUs that have been used by modders in this forum so far are in the 45W bracket.
So, you may want to watch the temperature when testing, and may have to think how to upgrade the heat sink system accordingly. It would be great if you shared your experiences here once you try. Honestly I'm tempted to try, too, never thought about going that big :)

Can i add internal nvidia gpu ?

AFAIK the GPU is soldered to the mainboard. I haven't seen any AH531 mods involving GPUs, so it's difficult to say, but I'd say chances are slim.

Can i replace my keyboard with RGB keyboard?

Chances are good that you can't. Simply because there is no connector for electricity on the body, and I haven't seen any backlit keyboards fitting the AH531. It's easier to plug in an RGB keyboard to the USB, at least that is what I did.

What is the use of express cards?

There are express cards for a lot of uses, e.g. additional network connectors, I think there are also USB3 connectors around. But I don't know if the AH531 can handle USB3 internally.

Can i insert sim card into the laptop? And how

EDIT: Correcting myself: I found a German manual that mentions an optional Sierra Wireless Gobi 3000 for 3G/UMTS WWAN communication, so yes, it appears possible.

The data sheet says
3G/UMTS (optional) Sierra Wireless Gobi 3000 (UMTS downlink speed 14.4 Mbit/s, UMTS uplink speed 5.76 Mbit/s
https://manualzz.com/doc/2750040/fujitsu-lifebook-ah531

Besides the need to figure out where it goes on the mainboard, and how to install it, there is another obstacle: Assuming you have installed the module, the standard BIOS will not recognise it. It needs to be installed in the BIOS via DMI flash, which can only be done by authorised Fujitsu technitians.

Hope this helps a little.
Last edited by daroca on Wed Feb 10, 2021 20:31, edited 5 times in total.
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

Ahmedsafian

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby Ahmedsafian » Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:55

Thanks for your reply :D
I will give it a try but what do i need to change about heat sink

daroca
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 15:12
Product(s): Fujitsu Lifebook E756, Linux Mint 18.3, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 32GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook E754, Linux Mint Cinnamon 19, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 16 GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook AH531/GFO, Linux Mint 18.3, upgraded to 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 16GB RAM, i7-2670QM CPU, Intel Wireless 3160

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby daroca » Sun Jan 31, 2021 14:43

Welcome, @Ahmedsafian :) I just edited my reply above regarding the SIM card, apparently there is an option.

Heat sinks: the metal heat spreader contacts on the regular CPUs in the data sheets is a square, while those on the QM CPUs have a rectangular shape. That means that the heat pipe covers only about two thirds of the QM type heat spreaders, while the rest remains uncovered. My idea was to insert a strip of copper or silver sheet between the CPU and the heat pipes that would cover the whole heat spreader and extend for another 2-3 cms beyond the CPU. Never tried it though, as the CPU temperature never exceeded 80-90°C even while playing multiple videos simultaneously.
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

Jasim MJ
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2021 17:03
Product(s): Fujitsu Lifebook AH531

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby Jasim MJ » Tue Feb 09, 2021 13:20

Hi buds,
Im using Lifebook AH-531(i5,4GB RAM).Previous convos about upgrading RAM seems to be the topic i wanted.
I want to play Fifa 21(Req: Intel Core i3-6100 @3.7GHz or better processor, 8GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 7850 or better or GeForce GTX 660) so im planning to upgrade my pc.
Shall i get a 8GB RAM(which i can insert in another empty RAM slot) and im planning to replace my hard disk with another SSD hard disk.And finally im planning to get a graphic card that could run Fifa 21.

Can any1 pls suggest on products (RAM,SSD hard disk,graphic card) which i should look for. Thanks in advance.

daroca
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 15:12
Product(s): Fujitsu Lifebook E756, Linux Mint 18.3, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 32GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook E754, Linux Mint Cinnamon 19, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 16 GB RAM, upgraded display from 1360x768 to 1920x1080
Fujitsu Lifebook AH531/GFO, Linux Mint 18.3, upgraded to 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 16GB RAM, i7-2670QM CPU, Intel Wireless 3160

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby daroca » Wed Feb 10, 2021 21:17

Hi Jasim, trying to answer some of your questions:

Im using Lifebook AH-531(i5,4GB RAM).

What CPU is living inside your 531? I didn't look up the specs of the i3-6100, but I doubt you'll be able to fit it inside the socket.
The most powerful CPUs that fit in the socket are (a) i7-2670QM (3.10GHz, 45W), (b) i7-2820QM (3.40GHz, 45W), and probably (c) i7-2960XM (3.70GHz, 55W). (a) and (b) have been tested, (c) not yet, but it's the only one that provides 3.7Ghz.
The computer is designed for a 35W CPU, though, so with any of these CPUs you are running beyond specs, and the heat spreader doesn't cover the CPU entirely. So, you may run into heat problems (and maybe even destroy the CPU).

Shall i get a 8GB RAM

I suggest you go for the max, a full upgrade to 2x8GB RAM. 4+8GB may run you into timing problems.

pls suggest on products (RAM,SSD hard disk,graphic card)

The 531 seems to run with any type of 8GB DDR3 RAM and SSD, and both add significant speed. As for the GPU, I doubt you'll be able to replace it, AFAIK it's soldered to the main board.
If you have a plan to use an external graphics card, please do share, we haven't discussed that option yet.

I want to play Fifa 21

On your 531 screen (1366x768px) or an external one? The HDMI output provides 1920x1200px, I tweaked mine to a 2560x1600px external screen, but only at 30Hz, and it has problems rendering video streams (but not videos played on the computer).
Would be interesting to see if you can make Fifa run smoothly, best of success!
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

Jasim MJ
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2021 17:03
Product(s): Fujitsu Lifebook AH531

Re: Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

Postby Jasim MJ » Fri Feb 12, 2021 17:40

Hey Daroca,thank you for ur reply

What CPU is living inside your 531?


Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2450M CPU @ 2.50GHz 2.50 GHz

If i can upgrade the processor that suits campatible 35W CPU which processor i can go for?

Im even okay to play Fifa 20 or Fifa 19.And i wanted it to be played in my AH531.Are there any ways of doing it by upgrading the graphic card.Doent matter if i need to get an external graphic.


Return to “LIFEBOOK”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest