Upgrading a Lifebook AH531

[daroca]

@mitsos, the AH531 is slightly different, you might have better chances to get the information you are requesting on this thread:

https://forum.ts.fujitsu.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=48398
(Upgrading LH532 / i5-3210M CPU@ 2,50GHz, 16 January 2019)

[aydinozdemirx]

Hi everyone, I would like to thank you all for your input about upgrading AH531.
Based on your posts, my AH531 is now upgraded to i7 2630QM, 120GB SSD, 8 GB (one slot) DDR3 1600L low voltage ram and planning for a second 8GB to be total 16GB.

Additionally, to cool the cpu and gpu(gt 525m) , I installed water cooling.

Still looking for a screen upgrade if you have succeeded please share.

[daroca]

@aydinozdemirx you installed a water cooling system? Super cool! Could you give a couple of details, please, and maybe post a photograph or two? How did that fit into the case, in the first place?

I have abandoned the idea of a higher resolution screen, the main problem seems to be the connector on the laptop side, and it remains totally unclear if the connector even has any connections to the GPU.

Which OS are you running?

[aydinozdemirx]

@daroca

I am using Windows 10.

https://ibb.co/jbCSMMC

Before deciding to water cooling, I installed aluminum heatsinks with seperate fans which fit very well and was able to close the back cover. Unfortunately, with a minimal load on either gpu or cpu, temperatures went above 90, while heatsinks were cool. In my opinion, aluminium was the wrong material to select, they definitely failed...

https://ibb.co/1rHwp7r
https://ibb.co/ZLHF8NZ

Please see attached photos for water cooling. Back cover is open, pipes goes out, water pump is a bit big, and radiator is huge. When I find some time, I will modify water block screws, install smaller pipes and close the back cover. I may go further and fit a mini pump+mini radiator inside in future

I opened insulators of default lcd connector, took pictures and in case you interested to see them, please let me know and i will upload for you.

[daroca]

Wow! I call my modded Lifebook the Frankenbook, but yours looks like open heart surgery! What's your next step, liquid nitrogen?
Could you post another photo of the whole bottom of the machine, please? I just realised that there is plenty of space when you remove the fan…

Great piece of work, @aydinozdemirx!

[aydinozdemirx]

@daroca Thanks much

My next plan was to use the space of battery + space of fan in order to install a pump or radiator or both. However, current huge cooling capacity with absolute silence has attracted me more than portability Temps never go beyond 30°C under full cpu/overclocked gpu load while ambient temp is 28°C. Radiator fans are triggered every 5-30 minutes and operate less than 30 seconds depending on load. Now this Lifebook can compete with more decent laptops and so far it has been my only computer for gaming/surfing/office programs.

Please see photos attached, I placed a ruler for your reference.

Do you have any plan for your Lifebook?

https://ibb.co/J5bCgqW
https://ibb.co/2h58cdq
https://ibb.co/WGdwhRt

[daroca]

@aydinozdemirx very impressive, thanks for sharing.

Currently my AH531 is sitting on the back shelf, I didn't have too much time lately. I was thinking about attaching two wifi antennas to the casing, similar to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7P4hEcZc3o

I have all the parts already, but not had the time yet. And maybe see how I can attach a larger passive heat sink. Oh, and I'm definitely looking into overclocking the GPU.

Any other ideas for mods out there?

Cheers!

[Helga]

@aydinozdemirx:

Gibt es eine Bezugsquelle für die gezeigten Wasserkühler-Blöcke?
Please, give me the Vendor's name of this watercoolers!
Thanks!

[aydinozdemirx]

@daroca your suggestion about wifi antenna extension is brilliant and new to me, I am currently using usb wifi adapter with a lengthy antenna, may fix one antenna in future to my AH531 as well.

My very first upgrade was replacing my hdd with a 120 GB ssd, then I removed DVD writer and installed an HDD Caddy with a 1 TB HDD, might be a good idea if you have a spare 2,5 inch hdd. My windows/frequently used files are located in ssd while large files/less used archive files are located in hdd.
HDD Caddy;
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32863110746.html

My full hd screen upgrade + intel 2960XM upgrade plans are pending as well


@Helga
I ordered 2 water blocks from this website

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32839597996.html

This store has most necessary items for water cooling. This is my pump which works very silent under 5v;
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32919366692.html

Buckles and screws(I used the original cpu holder that I took from behind of AH531 motherboard);
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32840320557.html

Radiator(too big but very efficient);
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32836044711.html

Pipe(i am not satisfied with this one as it was thick);
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32840666975.html

Barb fitting two pieces for radiator pipe connections
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32924242258.html

[Helga]

Excellent! Thank you for this useful information.

(This link don't works unfortunately, radiator: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32836044711.html )

[daroca]

[quote="aydinozdemirx"]
Pipe (i am not satisfied with this one as it was thick);
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32840666975.html
/quote]

@aydinozdemirx if you are not happy with the flexible tube: maybe you have an aquarium shop somewhere nearby, they usually stock various makes of them. You might be able to find something more adequate.