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    Upgrading cpus

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by DCMAKER, Jan 5, 2011.

  1. DCMAKER

    DCMAKER Notebook Deity

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    Newb question. What generation of cpus can be upgraded on x generation MB.

    For an example,I got a Core 2 what can i replace it with? What core duos can bne interchanged.

    core i-Which core is are interchangeable. I don't understand MOBILE cpu sockets and stuff.

    It would be nice to have a simple guide that explained what generations can be upgraded to what. Can an 720QM upgrade to SB? or can a i5 upgrade to a 720QM? and what not?
     
    DCMAKER, Jan 5, 2011
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  2. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Important for Core 2 Duo/Quad is FSB and BIOS compatibility to get POST. Then you can worry if your cooling system can handle it.

    Core i series are a little bit trickier, as if your laptop has Intel HD graphics you need an i3 or i5 or a 6xx series i7.

    I'm sure there's more to it but just generalized.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Jan 5, 2011
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  3. DCMAKER

    DCMAKER Notebook Deity

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    what about sockets and stuff? any names? that would help
     
    DCMAKER, Jan 5, 2011
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  4. Judicator

    Judicator Judged and found wanting.

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    Wikipedia is usually one of the better sources of information in terms of sockets. All mobile Clarksfield/Arrandale chips use the µPGA-988 socket. Sandy Bridge uses the new rPGA-988 socket, so Sandy Bridge and Clarksfield/Arrandale are not compatible, due to different sockets. Core 2 and Core used Socket P and Socket M, respectively (although some early Core 2 used Socket M). Did you have any specific questions otherwise?
     
    Judicator, Jan 7, 2011
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  5. DCMAKER

    DCMAKER Notebook Deity

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    no i was just trying to see if anyone knew most of this information. I kinda wanted to build a guide.
     
    DCMAKER, Jan 7, 2011
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  6. Judicator

    Judicator Judged and found wanting.

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    The problem is that socket is only half the problem. There are so many other issues that can introduce incompatibilities that significantly complicate things, BIOS being the most common. Put quite simply, if the microcode for a specific CPU isn't in the BIOS, then the chances of the notebook even POSTing are slim. This is why it's always recommended to have the latest BIOS for a notebook when trying to upgrade CPUs, and why it's often stated that if a certain CPU was ever offered for your model notebook, then it's most likely that you can upgrade to that CPU (since there would fairly obviously have been support for that CPU, or else they couldn't sell it with it). Anything else past that can be a total crapshoot.

    Edit - There's also this old guide that covers things up to pretty much the C2D days.
     
    Judicator, Jan 7, 2011
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  7. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Use Intel ARK. Basically, your choice of CPUs depends on your chipset. If your chipset only supports up to xxx MHz FSB then that's your CPU's maximum FSB. As stated, there are other factors such as BIOS support and/or cooling, since some models can theoretically have say an extreme processor but the BIOS might not support it or the cooling system might not be able to handle the increased power.
     
    sgogeta4, Jan 7, 2011
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  8. DCMAKER

    DCMAKER Notebook Deity

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    the pdf file says one model comes with the 755 which is 400mhz and 2.0ghz so i bet thats my best bet.
     
    DCMAKER, Jan 7, 2011
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