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    CPU replacement help please!

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by bboyglitch, Aug 31, 2013.

  1. bboyglitch

    bboyglitch Newbie

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    Hi everyone!
    I was wondering if someone can help me. I have an Alienware M15x with 4gb ram and i3 processor. I have only learnt recently that i can upgrade it for my younger brother to take to university.
    Ive ordered 8gb of memory and am now looking to upgrade the i3 processor to an Intel® Core™ i7 740QM Quad Core Processor, 1.73GHz (2.93GHz Turbo Mode, 6M Cache) as it is within my budget.
    However i am unsure if i need to order a mobile version/laptop version or if even that exists??
    I see there are different types of socket types, ie G1? However, I have no clue how to find this out without buying the processor and installing it.

    As you can tell I am a complete noob when it comes to laptops but have installed processors in pc's before.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
     
    bboyglitch, Aug 31, 2013
    #1
  2. dovy

    dovy Notebook Consultant

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    the QM stands for quad core mobile version. if the processor has this its a laptop processor. AW can be upgraded to

    720qm
    740qm
    820qm
    840qm
    920xm
    940xm

    or you could ask the seller to confirm if its compatible. also the cpu socket for the motherboard is called PGA988 i think
     
    dovy, Aug 31, 2013
    #2
  3. fatboyslimerr

    fatboyslimerr Alienware M15x Fanatic

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    Dovy is absolutely correct! My M15x originally came with the i7 720QM but I've upgraded to an i7 940XM. Both are compatible, as is the i7 740QM you've already found.
    I would suggest you make the upgrade yourself as any laptop upgrade service will likely change a fortune for something that takes roughly 10 minutes.
    Click the youtube link in my signature for an excellent video of how to upgrade the CPU (and GPU) in the M15x. It really is incredibly simple, just watch the video enough times till you're completely confident.
     
    fatboyslimerr, Aug 31, 2013
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  4. bboyglitch

    bboyglitch Newbie

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    Thank you so much for this! I really appreciate both of your expertise. I cant thank you enough.
    My brother is going to love the upgrade!
    Thank you! :)
     
    bboyglitch, Aug 31, 2013
    #4