I was hoping you could help me out. I would like to upgrade my CPU. I
have a Sony Vaio it is running a Intel Pentium M prcessor 1.73GHZ,
System Memmory 512 Cache Memory 2 MB. Model VGN-FS840.
What is the fastest processor that I can put into the Vaio?
My end result is I would like to speed the computer up so I can play
games like fligh Sim X? What else would I have to do? New video card
too? I have a Mobile Intel 915GM, 910GML Express Chipset Family Video
Card?
Is this result a waste of time and money or are these upgrades worth it?

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 04 Nov 2006 10:43 PST

greenwald908...

Sony's site indicates that VGN-FS840 is not a valid model number.
Perhaps you have a VGN-FS48C?

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Request for Question Clarification by denco-ga on 04 Nov 2006 14:51 PST

Howdy greenwald908-ga.

I have reviewed the specifications of your Sony VGN-FS840/W laptop computer.
http://www.docs.sony.com/release/specs/VGNfs840w_mksp.pdf

I have also reviewed the specifications of Flight Simulator X (FSX).
http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/flightsimulatorx.aspx

On review of both of the above, I do not see any reason why you could not
run FSX with your current configuration.

If you had poor performance, etc. and you outline what happened if you have
tried to run FSX on your laptop, I can probably make some suggestions on
how to improve performance.  Thanks!

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Question Clarification by keystroke-ga on 06 Nov 2006 05:51 PST

Hello greenwald908,

I have advised a few people on this and it is NEVER wise to upgrade a
CPU on a laptop computer. Laptop computers are generally designed with
the CPU speed in mind, which aids in cooling; changing the processor can
change the heatsink, which changes airflow, causing you to overheat your
machine and do it damage. You are best off trying to get FSX to run but
if it wont, you can either go get a new laptop or speak to Sony
directly (or your Sony
retailer) about installing a faster graphics card.  Your onboard GFX card
makes life a little harder for you as you may not have any room for
expansion.

Let me know what you think of this advice.

--keystroke-ga

Howdy greenwald908-ga.

I have reviewed the specifications of your Sony VGN-FS840/W laptop computer.
http://www.docs.sony.com/release/specs/VGNfs840w_mksp.pdf

I have also reviewed the specifications of Flight Simulator X (FSX).
http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/flightsimulatorx.aspx

On review of both of the above, I do not see any reason why you could not
run FSX with your current configuration.

If you had poor performance, etc. and you outline what happened if you have
tried to run FSX on your laptop, I'll continue to help you with it.

The bottom line is that, putting it in your terms, it would be a "waste of
time and money" to try any sort of CPU or video upgrade to your laptop.

You would be better off putting together a "game machine" that would be
better suited to programs such as Flight Simulator X.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

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Clarification of Answer by denco-ga on 08 Nov 2006 12:32 PST

Apologies, greenwald908-ga, but here was my search strategy.

Sony website
http://www.sony.com/

Microsoft website
http://www.microsoft.com/

Personal knowledge.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

pricewatch.com usually has all the models and prices to show in order
of power (and usually price along with that), maybe that'll help
narrow your search.

hello

I am answering the ques in little detail-

If you are using this Model Sony VAIO VGN-FS840/W 15.4" Notebook PC
its quite faster for office operations but little limited for the
GAMES therefore best solution can be not to upgrade the motherboard or
the processor ,instead you can add RAM and GRAPHICS ACCELERATOR CARD
in your laptop and all the games will run quite a lot smoothly giving
pleasure and performance at limited budjet.
So you can upgrade 
1 RAM Presently-512MB PC2-4200 533 MHz RAM to 2GB PC2-4200 533 MHz
2 GRAPHICS CARD- Presently-Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900
graphics controller (128 MB shared memory) to Intel Graphics Media
Accelerator 900 graphics controller (512MB shared memory)

As observed above your graphics accelerator is sharing the RAM so its
putting pressure on the RAM when a game is RUN as it slows the speed
of game to solve this i have suggested the bigger RAM 2GB must to play
games and a graphics card of 512MB it will kep you updated for atleast
next two years of games rest configuration is COOL.

With small changes you can be Mr Gamer

Your laptop with probably work best with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor
with 1 or 2 GB Memory.  You can browse products at Tigerdirect.com,
they have the best selection and savings.