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    CPU/memory upgrade for Asus k53z?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by whitrzac, Feb 22, 2013.

  1. whitrzac

    whitrzac The orange end is cold...

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    I picked up an asus k53z for cheap...

    It has an AMD A4 cpu right now, would it be possible to upgrade to a AMD a8-3500m?

    Asus says it only supports 8gb of memory, Will it support 16gb?


    Since the CPU is onboard video, would it be better to get more memory(16gb/1333) or faster(8gb/1600)?


    What's the fastest memory it will support?
     
    whitrzac, Feb 22, 2013
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  2. Prostar Computer

    Prostar Computer Company Representative

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    Not sure about the memory cap on this model. Sometimes a manufacturer will set a limit in place, but you'll sometimes also see users who were able to successfully install memory beyond the manufacturer's specification.

    As for the APU, is your A4 a Trinity or a Llano model? They take the same socket but have a different transistor fabrication. I believe you can upgrade a Llano A4 to another Llano APU, but not Llano to a Trinity (don't quote me on that).

    Your BIOS might be the real inhibitor in the end, though.
     
    Prostar Computer, Feb 22, 2013
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  3. titanstats

    titanstats Newbie

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    The A8 APUs do work in this laptop, no problem. I put an A8-3520M in mine, it fired right up, Windows sees it and all of the cores. The MX should be fine too, just a bit higher wattage APU. Have fun, cheap mod. :)

    I would imagine it will have no trouble with 16 gigs of RAM. I haven't bothered yet just because 8gig sodimms are pricey right now, and 8 is plenty right now -- I'll upgrade if the price drops.
     
    titanstats, Jun 3, 2013
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  4. plannumber1

    plannumber1 Newbie

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    Just tried to install the A8-3500M on the same laptop with the latest BIOS release and it wouldn't even boot to a screen. Someone reported the 3520M working, but I think they are essentially the same CPU/APU. Anyone else have a different experience?
     
    plannumber1, Oct 22, 2013
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  5. titanstats

    titanstats Newbie

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    3500 has a higher TDP; since the person who posted that said they were choking at Windows loading, it's likely a thermal issue -- either they didn't heatsink it properly, or it's too much for this notebook. Personally, I would guess the 3500 will work fine, and the OP who tried it should try re-seating the heatsink with the proper amount of compound.

    The A8-3520 works fine, and is a massive upgrade: dual-core to quad-core, 220 shaders to 440 shaders. The 6620G graphics kill the Intel HD graphics. Makes such a difference, it is a whole different laptop. Go for it, it will work fine.

    Screenshots of mine, for doubters.

    http://i.imgur.com/G0AtrTT.png

    http://i.imgur.com/J6j7zwh.png
     
    titanstats, Dec 30, 2013
    #5