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    XPS 15 - is it possible to upgrade with a 2960XM?

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by 540is, Dec 21, 2011.

  1. 540is

    540is Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just a thought... would the Sandy Bridge and socket (and ofc. BIOS) work with
    a i7 Xtreme edition 2960XM CPU?
     
    540is, Dec 21, 2011
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  2. 540is

    540is Notebook Enthusiast

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    Seems to work on the XPS 17 :) - well lets try then shall we.
     
    540is, Dec 21, 2011
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  3. 540is

    540is Notebook Enthusiast

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    540is, Dec 21, 2011
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  4. fluffy88

    fluffy88 Notebook Enthusiast

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    If your trying to get rid of the 2860QM I'll take it :p
    It would be a nice upgrade over a 2670QM.

    Though I would probably advise you not to do that upgrade as IvyBridge will be out soon enough so (assuming it will work fine, which it probably will) grabbing one of them would be a much better option.
     
    fluffy88, Dec 21, 2011
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  5. VPR5703

    VPR5703 Notebook Consultant

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    Another issue I see is that the TDP on the Extreme Edition is 10W higher then the normal CPU. With as warm as the XPS Laptops get under normal usage with stock CPUs, the cooling units might not be able to cope with the added stress of a very high power mobile CPU.
     
    VPR5703, Dec 21, 2011
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  6. alinad

    alinad Notebook Consultant

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    I7-2860QM not faster, also not top, compare with I7 Desktop. and xps display card just only mid range, very bad too.
     
    alinad, Dec 22, 2011
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  7. toronto

    toronto Notebook Deity

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    Another useful post from alinad
     
    toronto, Dec 22, 2011
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  8. 540is

    540is Notebook Enthusiast

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    +1 on that...

    So back to the question - was it possible? and clearly the heat thing is to consider. but
    does it run hotter (more watts doesnt automatically means more heat?)

    but lets disregard the heat issue for while - do we agree its techincally possible? - will the Hardware & BIOS accept the CPU?
     
    540is, Dec 22, 2011
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  9. 540is

    540is Notebook Enthusiast

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    So this is intresting - do you mean that notebook motherboards are so standardalized that I can swap the whole motherboard?
     
    540is, Dec 22, 2011
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  10. VPR5703

    VPR5703 Notebook Consultant

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    Ivy Bridge not only is the codename for the Chipset platform, but the CPU as well. Believe me, Laptop boards are not standardized. Every one of them is custom deisgned for a particular machine based on the layout the OEM wasnt to have. I wish tye were though! Technically, the CPU swap should be OK, so long as the BIOS/Chipset Supports it (something Dell would be able to tell you, hopefully) and the socket is the same, if we disregard the heat issue. And yes, more wattage = more heat, when the CPU is pushed hard like in gaming. Basically, the TDP is the maximum thermal output of the CPU under stress. You need a cooling unit capable rated at cooling a CPU at or above the CPU's TDP in order to keep it from overheating and shutting down.
     
    VPR5703, Dec 22, 2011
    #10