CPU Upgrade: Can I replace an AMD A4 with an A8?

I want to upgrade my AMD A4-3300m processor with an AMD A8-3500M.

Both are FS1 socket AMD processors that pull 35W of power.

Current processor:

AMD A4-Series A4-3300M AM3300DDX23GX

Possible upgrade:

AMD A8-Series A8-3500M AM3500DDX43GX

I also read somewhere that the a4 die size is 226mm2 and the a8 die size is 218mm2. Does the die size in any way affect how it will fit on the motherboard or is the difference in size because of the number of cores?

Here's a link to my laptop (Toshiba L775-S7304) if it's of any use:

Toshiba Satellite® L775D-S7304 17.3" widescreen Laptop (Silver) | Laptops | Computers | us.toshiba.com

 

Mechanically yes and electrically, the only thing to worry about is bios support. The highest chip they have in that list is an A6 but that does not mean it wont work.

 

QFT! Often manufacturers will list the working hardware as the one they have tested and not the one that might work. People often managed to put CPUs that weren't listed as supported (as long as it is the same socket/compatible chipset) or go over the official max supported RAM. Of course, it does not always work.

 

excuse my noobness, but which list are you talking about? the toshiba website or one of the processor links?

thanks

 

The toshiba one. Just check your motherboard is not missing a power phase as no matter the TDP they do draw more power so sometimes they skimp on motherboards with dual cores in them.

If a model with the same mobo uses the processor you are looking to upgrade to its a very good sign the upgrade is possible.

 

Thanks man... Looks like I'm gonna have to do a little more research on my motherboard first.

 

You have a good chance, but dont throw money away is all. if you can find a supplier letting you test and return if it does not work then id say go for it.

 

I think I'm a little more concerned with time than money when it comes to this. I'm pretty sure I could re-sell it if it didn't work but the main thing that's holding me back at this point is the amount of work it's going to take.

It's a Toshiba. The processor's going to be on the bottom of the motherboard and the only way to get to it is to completely disassemble the computer.

I really don't want to have to take it apart, put it back together, then repeat the process when I find out it doesn't work.

p.s. I'm a little more wary about doing it because I can't find a single L77D with an A8 installed, but something inside still wants to give it a shot...

 

Both are AMD 35W CPUs that fit in FS1 sockets.

Current Processor: A4-3300M

Possible Upgrade: A8-3500M


As you can see my bios are compatible with another L series Notebook that has the option to upgrade it to the processor that I want.

Surely Toshiba wouldn't replace the entire mobo when somebody upgraded their CPU for $40.

So is it proof?

 

Is this proof? No

Is this great evidence to suggest it will work? Yes

From this and the information you have posted on your other thread (this should be there, not on a new thread), I would say there is an extremely high chance that it will work. If I was in your situation I would go for it.

 

thanks for the help man. the double thread thing was a mistake.

 

Don't worry about the double threading, took care of it. Just don't do it again .

Just like JK said, it isn't proof, but your chances just got a lot better.

 

It actually is proof because both models share the same motherboard. And they wouldn't have one motherboard with any power circuitry missing because both processors require the same power design limits as per AMD.

 

Yeah, I'm starting to think it's worth a shot. I don't know if you could see it in the pic but the A4 was one of the availabe options for the L770D, which also increases the chances that it's going to work.

 

So do the x9100 and the Q9000 and up and there are plenty of motherboards that will take an x9100 but no the q9000.

We are not saying it wont work, we are saying there is always a chance.

Companies always look to save the pennies.

 

That's not the same. We are talking about the exact same motherboard here.

 

So I've decided to at least attempt this.

I'm basically doing this because I want the upgraded integrated GPU for light(ish) gaming - COD 2&4, Half Life 2, and whatever else I can squeeze out of it.

The A4 has built in Radeon HD 6480G graphics that are rated 194 on the notebookcheck GPU benchmark as a Low-Midrange card.

The A8 has built in Radeon 6620G graphics and are rated 128 as Midrange (which is right below the Nvidia 335m [125] that was included in Alienware M11Xs a few years back)

So my next question is: Because the graphics are integrated, the memory for the graphics are shared. I currently have 4GB of RAM but it's expandable to 8. Would I benefit at all (graphics wise) from a memory upgrade? Or does the shared memory from the GPU top out and it wouldn't matter at all?

 

I think it'll work.

 

So do I, however i'm still not 100% sure, more like 99.99% If it doesn't work, you could always resell it on the NBR amrketplace/ebay and if it work, i think you'll make some people very happy by testing it .

 

Well it's officially been purchased and when it arrives I'll make sure I update everybody on if it works or not.

If not I can always go the ebay route.

 

Are we? Have you checked the service manual.

Dual core 8935G and Quad core 8935G, exact same motherboard EXCEPT that one of the phases was missing (solder pads left open) and so it would not run quads.

 

MISSION COMPLETE!

A4-3300M was successfully replaced with an A8-3500M in my Toshiba L775-S7304 Notebook.

I've been keeping an eye on the fan and CPU heat level and it honestly seems no different that the A4 was.

Toshiba Health PC Monitor:

Avg Fan Speed: 45%
Avg CPU Temp: 38%

 

Awesome! Thanks for being a guinea pig

 

Maybe download HWMonitor and verify temps that way too, as well as HWInfo64 which will show you a real-time monitor of each core activity, frequency, voltage, etc.

In any case, congrats, hope it offers a decent performance improvement. Also, check out my guide if you want to try and overclock and/or undervolt your CPU for improved performance and/or battery life. (see my sig)

 

I wonder if everyone's BIOS was so accommodating. AMD's S1G_ series sockets were pretty confining, and nobody would want to install previous generation AMD CPUs.

Did you repsate the CPU and blow out the dust in the fans/heatsink/heatfins while you were at it?

 

yes... i did re-paste the CPU. the original one was pretty tough to get loose but I managed to do it with a little dental floss.

and surprisingly there was virtually no dust.

i'll keep an eye on the temps and d/l the software HTWingNut suggested.

i've also already overclocked it... i followed this guy's guide and the temps seem to have gone down just a hair and WEI went from a 5.3 to a 6.1

Easy How to Overclock an AMD A8-3500M cpu to 2.84 GHz w/ K10STAT (HD 1080p to see clearly) - YouTube

 

Ah thanks! I was planning on doing a video guide too. Check out my guide if you want something written.

 

awesome. very thorough. maybe i'll actually learn a little something rather than just punching in numbers like a monkey.

 

OH, I started as a monkey, now I'm just better at punching buttons...

 

Any benchmark comparisons?

 

my pathetic answer is:

my WEI processor score went from a 5.3 to 6.1

Graphics went from a 5.6 to a 5.9

Gaming Graphics went from a 6.5 to a 6.6

As for any benchmarking or paying attention to numbers that really matter, no. I was too anxious once the processor was in my hands and forgot all about any performance analysis from before. I wish I would have though...

 

I didn't want to post another "A4 A8 swap thread so I posted here. I was searching for some info on swapping the A4 for an A8 in a HP Pavilion g6-1b60us and this was pretty much the only thing with related info. It has the FS1 (905) socket and HP 169B mobo. I was wondering how I would go about finding out if I could do the swap in my laptop.