Acer Aspire 7741g - soldered CPU?

I've got an Aspire 7741g with the basic Core i3-330m. I use it a lot for running virtual machines in VirtualBox so I was wondering if the slower clocked but quad core i7-720M would be a possible upgrade, or possibly an i5 with the Turbo Boost feature.

I've got a feeling though that this model has a soldered CPU - does anyone know if this is true?

Thanks for any advice! Not hugely fussed if I have to stick with the i3 though.

 

Hmm what gives you that feeling?
Usually thats only on ultraportables...

 

I've searched on Google, and I can't find any reference to a socket, but BGA1228 comes up a lot...

Perhaps I should just pull it apart and have a look!

I've just solved this question myself while upgrading it to 8gb RAM (yay!). The CPU is right next to the access panel for the RAM and hard drive, and so I can confirm it does have a CPU socket. I ran CPU-Z and that reported it as having a 1156 LGA socket, which is a desktop one, weird.

Come payday I'll pick up an i7 quad core and see if it works, although getting at the socket might be fun.

 

I just checked Aspire 7741G's BIOS & I found CPU Microcode Update for CPUID 0106E5h & Platform ID 0,1,4. CPUID & Platform ID for i7-720QM are 0106E5h & 4 respectively. So, at least BIOS does support i7 quad-core processor. However, the CPU Microcode Update in Aspire 7741G's BIOS for CPUID 0106E5h is released on 29 Mei 2009. Which means, you might want to avoid any "second release" of Intel Core i processor. For example, "first release" is i7-720QM while "second release" is i7-740QM (sorry, I don't know how to call it properly ). If you decided to go with quad-core processor, make sure you get high-end/better thermal paste.

 

Brilliant information, thanks for that! The CPU I was looking at getting is an i7-720QM, so it should be fine.

I've done upgrades on other laptops and I've always used Arctic Silver 5 with good results. Will that be OK do you think?

 

I think it is a good choice.

 

Just to make it clear, I said at least BIOS does support i7 quad-core processor. However, I haven't found any Aspire 7741 series notebook with i7 quad-core processor. The chipset, HM55 does support i7 quad-core processor though. What I'm saying is, I can't assure you that i7 quad-core processor will work on your notebook. Make sure when you buying the i7 quad-core processor, make sure the seller allow either exchange it for another processor or get your money back in case it doesn't work. If you still decided to try, I'm the first person want to hear about it.

 

I've worked out that I can afford to order one now - so I've done it! Should be here on Monday or Tuesday.

I'll be sure to update with results, good or bad!

 

Nice! I'll wait for the update. Good luck.

 

If the i7 doesn't work, look at the i5-460M, it's quite a powerhouse and has lower power draw.

 

And 4471g comes with i5-460M installed by OEM so it should work with now problems - may be just a BIOS update since it has newer core that previous i5... I was looking to get my self that one but at last moment I decided to try to find affordable 7745G with core i7...

Cheers

 

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll bear them in mind. My 7741g mainly gets used on a desk and rarely on battery so power isn't really an issue, more the heat aspect. The heatsink and fan seem to be pretty hefty though so hopefully with the AS5 it'll be OK, assuming it actually does boot up!

 

Update - - - IT WORKED!

The CPU arrived today and I got it installed OK. Getting at the socket was a bit of a pain as the motherboard had to come out. Once the CPU was in and the heatsink reattached I fired it up with just the screen attached and there it was in the BIOS so I put it all back together. Windows 7 reinstalled a couple of drivers and rebooted and then it was all fine.

The temperatures actually seem lower than the i3 and I ran some stress test software which maxed out all four cores and it seemed to max out at about 70-75 degrees, which isn't bad at all.

So hurrah, good news all round! Thanks for all the advice guys, especially kizwan for the superb BIOS information.

 

Congratulations! Enjoy your new quad-core processor.

 

Acer do like to surprise you with their 17" machines

 

could you do some pictures on how to get at the cpu ?

did you need to broke any warranty seal to get at the cpu ?

still a big pain in the for me to prevent updating such things for people who are capable of doing it

 

This is interesting! The Acer Aspire 7741g has same chipset as the 3820TG with same switchable graphicscard solution and model. If could possibly run in my machine as well. How do one check the microcode in bios?

 

The first gen core i7 quads dont have built in graphics.

 

Does 7741G support switchable graphics. i can`t find any info..

Tnx in advance..

 

No, it does not.

 

What was the name of the processor you bought?

 

Hi,

Seems there's some interest in this still!

The CPU I bought is the Intel Core i7-720QM. The Intel designation is SLBLY and it was launched in 2009.

The machine is still running well, no heat issues or anything and it's rock solid stable. The only thing I'll say is that for what I use it for, the graphics chip rarely gets stressed so I don't know how the cooling system would cope if both CPU and GPU were running under load.

Getting at the socket is tricky on this machine. You have to remove the keyboard, then remove the entire top cover of the lower half, and then remove the motherboard and turn it over. It's not massively difficult, just fiddly and lots of screws.

 

Hey, I have this laptop Acer aspire 7741 Without THE G!!! which the graphic card is integrated in the CPU! I was wondering if there is a way to upgrade my cpu??
IT has Intel core i3-330M 2.1ghz which is ok for me but the graphics sucks badly!! so is there a way to get a better cpu with better graphics on it? its annoying how I couldn't find any information by searching the internet!

thanks.

 

According to Intel specs it's the same graphics and uses the same frequency (from 500 to 766MHz) so there will be no difference graphics-wise.
Overall gaming experience will be slightly better with a faster CPU but only because the CPU itself is faster.

Compare graphics on Core i3 330m and Core i5 560M- the same range of frequencies.

 

What about something like this! is it gonna work?

 

No it won't. Not only is it a desktop CPU (TDP of 65W instead of 35W) but it's also a Sandy Bridge while your notebook is Arrandale.

 

lol sorry for my noobish!! can you please tell me which cpu is best for my laptop! I want the top I can get!

thanks again for your respond.

 

Core i5 560 or 580M and Core i7 620 or 640M should be near the top.
You'd have to update BIOS and/or make sure that your BIOS does recognize the microcode.
It shouldn't be a problem in most cases but still something to check.

 

Does anyone know a good place to buy one of these processors in Canada (ideally) or the US?

Also, I'm not sure if all of the 7741G's are the same, mine is the one with the dedicated Radeon HD 5470 Mobility, is the video card definitely not upgradeable on it?

 

Definitely not upgradeable, sorry.

 

Damn, I thought that may be the case.

Is it really worth upgrading the processor then? It has the standard i3 330M at the moment and I have taken the RAM up to 8GB (which is the maximum capacity I believe) but even with Windows 7 x64 most applications do not seem to use the additional memory and I still get stuttering in some games like New Vegas with the some of the higher level effects enabled.

Windows Performance Index reports the machine as a 3.8 with the processor scoring the lowest of all the components so that's why I was looking into upgrading the CPU as well as ideally the graphics card.

 

I doubt upgrading CPU would do much to improve gaming performance- it's definitely the GPU limiting your frame-rate.

That said if you can pick up a CPU for peanuts- there's no harm in doing so. I was lucky enough to buy a Core i5 560M for some $40.
I didn't need an upgrade but come on- for $40- who would pass on that?
I guess you could do the same- upgrade only if you come across a really great offer- otherwise let it go.

 

OK, thanks man.

Where did you manage to find a 560M that cheap if you don't mind me asking? I've been looking around today but the only ones I can find for under the $150 mark seem to be slower Chinese clones of the Engineering Sample versions.

 

That was a one time deal. One of NBR users pointed out that there were some 20 units (used ones but not ES) for roughly $40.
We all jumped on it and bought some- I haven't seen such a great deal since.

What I'm saying is keep en eye out for such a deal- if you find one go for it but don't pay $150 for a CPU that will not really improve your gaming performance.

 

Thanks, I'll probably just do that then, I'll stick with this CPU unless I see anything good come up since the laptop still has nearly 1 year of warrantee with Acer left on it at the moment anyway.

Thanks again, rep left.

 

does the acer aspire 7741g have changable graphics card?

as I can see DIFFERENT versions with HD 5470 AND ALSO HD 6370M / 6550M.

 

No it doesn't use MXM- you can't replace it.

 

Hey Guys,

I have a 7741G with an i5 processor:

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU - M460 @ 2.53GHz
8.00GB Ram

I'm looking to upgrade the processor to a top spec i7, from reading this thread I believe this can be done by upgrading the bios and installing a new processor... I'm slightly confused though as looking at the recommended i7 CPU (i7-720QM) it shows as 1.6GHz - which appears to be slower than my current cpu... Am I reading this wrong? I've built lots of PC's etc, but not for a couple of years and this is the first time I've looked at the i series of CPU...

Any advice?

I see several people asking if the graphics is upgradable, but it looks like they have a slightly older graphics than mine, I have the HD5650 - is this upgradable or is it a case that ALL acer 7741G machines have the graphics fitted to the motherboard and are not upgradable no matter what the spec

Thanks in advance for any help

 

Graphics is not upgradeable (soldiered).
Core i7 720QM is 1.6GHz with 4 cored whereas Core i5 430M has two physical cores 2.26GHz each (both frequencies not counting TurboBoost)
Core i7 is faster considering there are 4 physical cores (8 virtual counting HyperThreading) compared to 2 cores (virtual 4) on a higher clocked Core i5.

 

Hey,

Thanks for answering so quickly, so will the i7 be noticeably faster?

I have the intel widget installed on my windows 7 and it shows ram and 4 cores - is this incorrect then?

Sorry, I'm getting a bit lost with these cores lol

 

Checking ebay, and I found this, twice the price of the one advertised at 1.6GHz, but both 720QM - so are they not the same thing?

INTEL CORE QUAD i7 720QM 2.8GHz 8M 1066MHz MOBILE CPU

 

2.8GHz is max frequency Core i7 720QM can do with only one core under load (TurboBoost)
Seller uses the highest freq possible to make good impression on buyers- see here for details.

BTW Core i7 720QM has 6MB cache- not 8MB that ebay auction title seems to suggest.

 

Ah I see... So he is trying to make it worth more money! lol..

Do you think I would notice much difference between my current CPU and the i7?

 

Let me show you using wPrime.

i7-720QM:-


i5-450M:-

1. First result:-
   i7-720QM: running with 8 threads (1.6GHz - 1.7GHz @4 cores)
   i5-450M: running with 4 threads (2.4GHz @2 cores)
2. Second result:-
   i7-720QM: running with 8 threads but with 1024M test (1.6GHz - 1.7GHz @4 cores)
   i5-450M: running with 4 threads but with 1024M test (2.4GHz @2 cores)
3. Third result: only 1 thread selected in wPrime setting
   Most of the time it is not only 1 thread (core) is active. Other background process also required CPU processing power, which means other cores are active too. So, when more than 1 core active, it will not Turbo Boost to maximum. In fact, in real world you will not see it Turbo Boost to maximum very often.
4. Fourth result: HT disabled & only 1 core enabled in BIOS (or using msconfig)
   When only 1 core enabled, other cores are put to sleep. So, CPU will be able to Turbo Boost to maximum.

In summary, when running multi-threaded application, 1.6GHz quad core processor is faster than 2.4GHz dual core processor.

You see your i5-460M is 4 cores because of Hyper-threading (HT). You CPU is actually dual core because it have 2 physical cores. i7-720QM is a quad core processor, with HT you'll see 8 cores. Whether you really need quad core processor is depend on the software/games you use. If you're running multi-threaded application, quad core CPU will able to complete the task faster than dual core. Games like Crysis, SC2 & BFBC2, to name a few, will be able to utilized quad core processor. However, games performance still rely heavily on GPU than CPU.

i7-720QM max TDP is 45W while i5-450M, including i5-460M, max TDP is 35W. So, quad core will produced more heat than dual core processor. This is something you want to put in your calculation if you're deciding whether want to upgrade to quad core processor or not.

 

Hey, I ordered the new processor and it's arrived. I installed it but since doing it my pc hangs after about 15 mins

Its not overheating and I've already read that you don't need to reinstall windows. What would you suggest to start fault finding?

 

I would try, one by one, these:-
1. Reset BIOS to default: Enter BIOS, choose "Load Setup Default" (or similar) & "Save & Exit". Before windows load shutdown your computer. After several seconds, power on your notebook again.
2. Boot with live CD: Download any linux live CD & try boot with it. This is just want to rule out windows problem.
3. Reseat CPU & heatsink. You might want to reapply thermal paste, just in case.

 

Hey Kizwan,

I reset the bios, no change.... Booted with ubuntu 10.10 - been using it now happily with no crashing etc for about 10 hours or so....

I'm guessing thats answered the question that windows is screwed... I'm thinking I need to do a fresh install now...

 

I'm glad it's not hardware problem.

 

Ohgod - you did what i did,

You see - i have a 7741zg (same build as yours but diferent graphics card)

The bios/boards are exactly the same ,
(kizwan would know better )

I put a i7 740qm on - IT WILL WORK, 100% it detects it - runs it fine
HOWEVER - your laptop will overheat like MAD,
I had to drop-down to a i5 ,
That i7 will overheat soo much that it will reach tjmax 100c and knock itself down 99% of the time its loading a game or anything CPU intensive.
It will go down to as low as 7x (which is minimum).
^ this is of course if you are playing games with it.

Anyhows - that laptop WILL take that CPU - no matter the bios (retail or modded)

ITs wierd couse i had the same problem as you when i put the modded bios on, and i had the i7 in for weeks , it crashed on loading the windows,

I got around it by booting into safe mode , and it simply stopped doing.

Try that.

Good luck!

 

Hi

I have the same laptop and i want to upgrade mine too.
But i have a i3-380m with DDR3-1066/PC3-8500, can the 720qm support this ram or i need to upgrade it to 1333?

thanks