how to change CPU in the Studio 1555?

i'd like to replace my T9550 to a P8400. I opened the bottom plate and only saw places for the RAM, wifi card, and hard drive. I'd venture further, but I just wanted to know where exactly i should and shouldn't be looking at from someone who's already done a CPU swap

also, is the CPU connected to a heatsink and I would need a thermal paste?

 

The CPU is pretty deep in there. You have to remove the bottom panel, hinge cover/keyboard frame, keyboard, display, palmrest, optical drive, and motherboard. The CPU is under a heatsink on the underside of the motherboard. It does have a thermal pad, although I recommend you replace it with real paste if you're swapping processors. Luckily, it's a lot simpler than it sounds, for the most part, as long as you keep track of your screws. The whole job took me about 45 minutes, start to finish.

Here's the official Service Manual page:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/studio1555/en/SM/cpucool.htm#wp1119269

I actually just replaced my T9500 with a P8600 just last night. Might I ask why you want to replace the T9550 with a P8400? The T9550 is significantly more powerful.

Here's a couple of photos I took when I disassembled everything. The CPU is at the top center of the photo, under the section of heatsink with 4 metal arms anchoring it.

 

i dont need the extra power and the fan keeps spinning. figure getting a Pseries for $100 then selling the T9550 for $200. undervolting hasn't done anything to lower the number of times the fan goes off. my warranty expires in a few months so i figure might as well give it a try now.

 

Good reasoning. I'm enjoying my new P8600.

Hope you find my information useful.

 

extremely! thanks! i'm gonna cry if a P-series doesn't lower the times the fan goes off, if not, i'll just look at the bright side, extra cash from selling the T-series