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    CPU upgrade guide.

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by jisaac, Jan 11, 2009.

  1. jisaac

    jisaac Notebook Deity

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    THE CPU UPGRADE GUIDE.​
    There are alot of people asking what CPUs they can upgrade too, so I just thought I'd provide some easy steps to find out what you can upgrade to.​


    1)
    Find out if your CPU is soldered or socketed. Use google. If it is soldered (there is a high chance if you're using a netbook (atoms), or have a LV or ULV processor), then you cannot upgrade your CPU. If your CPU is socketed however, move on to the next step.

    2)
    Go to your laptop's manufacturer's website, and update your bios to the latest version (to ensure full cpu compatibility).

    3)
    Download and run CPU-Z

    4)
    On the 'CPU' tab find out what package your processor is in. This can be for example socket M, socket P....
    On the 'Mainboard' tab find out what the manufacturer of your chipset is (ie. ati, intel, amd) - not the manfacturer of your motherboard, as well as your motherboard's model number and bios version.
    [​IMG]

    5)
    Click on your chipset's manufacturer:
    Intel
    AMD
    VIA
    ATI
    and scroll down until you find you chipset's model.
    Here it should tell you what processors are supported, and the max. fsb of the chipset.

    In general,
    Celeron < Celeron M < Pentium 4 < Pentium M < Core Solo < Core Duo / Pentium Dual Core < Core 2 Duo < Core 2 Quad
    Athlon / Sempron < Turion < Athlon X2 / Turion X2 < Turion Ultra
    If you want the best performance pick the best generation your chipset supports.

    6)
    Type into google your motherboard's model (from CPUZ) followed by your bios' revision number (under the mainboard tab in CPUZ aswell). Click on the link that goes to drivers.softpedia.com/......... it lists the specifications of most bioses. Make sure under the 'features' description, the CPU generation you want to upgrade to is supported, and what fsbs are supported by your bios as well as your chipset. The manufacturing tech. (eg. 45nm) may also be stated here. If it is not newer (smaller) manufacturing techs. may not be supported. In the case of a Core 2 Duo upgrade (which are available in 65nm and 45nm), it may mean only 65nm is supported.

    7)
    Go to wikipedia find processor lists of the generation you wish to upgrade to. Here i'll provide a few.
    Celeron / Celeron M
    Pentium M
    Pentium 4
    Athlon
    Athlon 64
    Core Solo/Duo
    Pentium Dual Core
    Athlon X2
    Turion X2
    Core 2
    Turion / Turion X2 / Turion Ultra
    Sempron

    8)
    To find the best processor you can upgrade to,
    Find the fastest processor (highest clocked, then highest fsb, then highest cache) that fits your socket, manufacturing tech., and doesn't go above the max. fsb supported by your motherboard/bios. If your motherboard supports smaller manufacturing technologies, it is recommended you go for it. Smaller techs., generally produce less heat, and consume less power.

    Post your thoughts on this guide!
    thanks,
    Joshua D
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    jisaac, Jan 11, 2009
    #1
  2. Michel.K

    Michel.K 167WAISIQ

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    Great post :) Now i hope all new people that has the question will see this thread! +rep
     
    Michel.K, Jan 11, 2009
    #2
  3. jisaac

    jisaac Notebook Deity

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    bump......
     
    jisaac, Jan 17, 2009
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  4. mazmorbid

    mazmorbid Notebook Consultant

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    Nice thread Joshua .. :)
     
    mazmorbid, Jan 17, 2009
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  5. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    I guess I just learned something, as I had no idea the Atoms were soldered.

    +1
     
    R4000, Jan 17, 2009
    #5
  6. jerry66

    jerry66 Notebook Deity

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    great guide , wish it were here last month !
     
    jerry66, Jan 17, 2009
    #6