CPU Upgrade for Toshiba Satellite C650D - 11R (AMD V120).

Hi guys. I have a Toshiba Satellite C650D - 11R.
This laptop has a AMD V120 cpu, 2 GB memory, and 250GB hard drive.
I have already got the memory to 8 GB and changed the hard drive to a Samsung 250GB SSD.
The changes have made alot of difference and I would like to upgrade the CPU aswell.
I mainly use the laptop for schoolwork, including word, excel, Auto-CAD etc, not games.
I have looked at the AMD laptop processors and it seems like the more cores there are, the lower clockspeed.
So there are mainly 2 question I have regarding this.

1. What is the most powerful CPU I can use for this laptop ?
2. Is it better for me to have 2 cores and higher clock speed or 4 cores with lower clock speed ?

Thanks alot

 

2, definitely 2! (Especially for current Intel processors)...


As for upgrading what you have; unfortunately, I don't think you can (depending on the M/B, BIOS and other supporting electronics that will affect this).

This circa 2010 processor/platform is built for low cost - I would be surprised if a better processor could be installed easily for a noticeable (real world) improvement in performance.

If you do really need more performance, then a new system is what you should be aiming/saving for.


Good luck.

 

I would say be careful with CPU upgrades with Toshiba computers. Even though the socket is the same, they seem to like to whitelist CPU's in their BIOS, multitude of upgrade threads where it works for exactly 30 minutes then the computer cuts off. That platform is AMD's 2010 Nile platform, socket S1G4. Theoretically it can take AMD's Phenom/Turion quad/triple/dual cores. Personally I had a Inspiron M5030 with a V140 2.2 GHz single core and I upgraded it to an N620 2.8 GHz dual core. It ran significantly faster but generated alot of heat.

The best piece of advice is to go to the Toshiba specific forums, or test it out yourself, and find someone who will accept returns on processors. YMMV.

 

Thanks alot for your replies guys.
I went to my local computer store and they had a AMD Athlon II P320 dual core @ 2100mhz.
They installed it and works like a charm .. Still I would mind a more boost to it.
They said that the most powerful processor I could use for this laptop is either:
1. AMD Phenom II P650 dual core @ 2600mhz or
2. AMD Phenom II P960 quad core @ 1800mhz.

I use the computer mainly for schoolwork, auto-cad drawing and light gaming .. Dota2 and games like that (wich uses probably no more then 2 cores).
Wich CPU would be better ?

Thanks

 

The quad core, for sure.

Dual core is a circa year 2000 hi-tech fantasy which is now looked on and laughed about.


Curious how much it will cost you to do this 'at a store'?

 

Well, since the clockspeed differs alot (1800mhz vs 2600mhz) I thought it could make a difference.
Also, I have read that very few applications use 4 cores, most use 2 cores.
If that is the case, a higher clockspeed is certainly an advantage.
But, I am asking here because I dont have a clue about this

The shop is charging about 25-30 bucks for each cpu, installation is included.
They stock alot of used parts wich is brilliant.

 

While each application uses 1-2 cores 'avg' - all together you are greatly ahead by having a greater than 2 core cpu by the simple fact that we don't run single applications anymore... the O/S by itself can use 4 cores in some situations (maintenance).

For that price, go for it (I'd be tempted too at such low cost).


Thanks for the additional info - hope the new upgrade is noticeable and worthwhile to you.