Can I upgrade processor

Hi everyone,

I just bought a HP dv9730nr laptop from Best Buy and was wondering if I can swap out the processor for a better one? The T5450 seems to be the only weak spot with the computer. What is the best processor that I can swap into my new laptop? I already took some of it apart to see where the processor was at, and its not all that difficult to get to.

Thanks,

Ken

 

You can install one of the latest Penryn processor into it. The T9300 is best price to performance, just make sure you have the latest BIOS for your system to add Penryn support, check at hp.com.

 

It's not impossible, but it might not be worth it. That is a socket P standard-voltage processor, so you'll need to make sure any replacement you get is also a socket P that is also standard-voltage.

The main concern is whether the BIOS has support for the new chip you plan on getting and whether it generates more heat when under load. If you get another Merom (T5xxx or T7xxx) socket P processor, I suppose it would work, but there's also the new Penryn processors around the corner which are better but might not work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...s#.22Merom.22_.28standard-voltage.2C_65_nm.29

 

I thought with laptops the only thing you can upgrade is the RAM?

 

Nope ... depending on the computer you can upgrade RAM, hard disk, processor, wireless card.

Of course, this all depends on your level of savvy as well as your particular model.

 

Also depends on your willingness to void the warranty. RAM and HDD are the extent of what the end user is generally allowed to upgrade. But if they don't ever find out...

 

All that is missing is the

 

Thanks everyone for giving my some info. I think I am going to look at getting either the T7700 or the T7500.

Now I went to HP.com and the BIOS version that they have my computer is actually a version behind the one that I currently have. How am I supposed to know if the new chip will need a BIOS update?

Sorry if I sound dumb, but I have actually replaced processors before in both desktops and laptops, but never had to update the BIOS as it was just a processor replacement not an upgrade.

Also at hp.com I can build my same machine with either the T5450 or the T7500 or even the T9300. Now that to me looks like I should just be able to swap in the new processor and be good to go correct?

Thanks,

Ken

 

Make sure you have 3 GB of RAM and a 7200 RPM HDD before upgrading the processor.

 

Your right, you probably won't need to update your BIOS to install a penryn since you have the latest. Penryns have also be known to work without a BIOS that adds support for them.