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    Can Laptop Processors Be Upgraded?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by lilkoolkid94, May 5, 2009.

  1. lilkoolkid94

    lilkoolkid94 Notebook Enthusiast

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    This may be a stupid question, but is it possible to upgrade the processor in my laptop (Sony VAIO VGN-NR140E)? Or is it like the video card and its integrated?
    Thanks in advance! :D
     
    lilkoolkid94, May 5, 2009
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  2. funky monk

    funky monk Notebook Deity

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    As a general rule, Processors can be upgraded (providing the BIOS supports the higher processor) but GPU's can't for the most case. If you could upgrade your GPU then you would know because the computers you can upgrade them in are bought by nerds/gaming freaks like us
     
    funky monk, May 5, 2009
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  3. lilkoolkid94

    lilkoolkid94 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Haha, well is there a CPU you would recommend upgrading to that would work with my laptop (Sony VAIO VGN-NR140E)? I currently have a Intel Pentium Dual-Core running @ 1.6ghz. Also, thanks for the quick reply!
     
    lilkoolkid94, May 5, 2009
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  4. weirdo81622

    weirdo81622 Notebook Evangelist

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    You most likely can. Almost all notebooks have replaceable CPUs. Where you need to be careful in terms of CPUs is when you have a SU, SP, or SL series chip, or on a Mac portable. SU, SP, SL chips will almost certainly be soldiered in, as will processors in Mac notebooks.

    I'm not 100% sure, but I'd guess that you could go as high as a T9500, assuming BIOS and power support is there. Anyone with one of these care to chime in?
     
    weirdo81622, May 5, 2009
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  5. lilkoolkid94

    lilkoolkid94 Notebook Enthusiast

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    How can I tell if my BIOS will support it? Are there any requirements I can follow?
     
    lilkoolkid94, May 5, 2009
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  6. lilkoolkid94

    lilkoolkid94 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Also as an update, the model of my current CPU is Intel Pentium T2330.
     
    lilkoolkid94, May 5, 2009
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  7. lilkoolkid94

    lilkoolkid94 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Help anyone?
     
    lilkoolkid94, May 5, 2009
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  8. kojack

    kojack Notebook Prophet

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    I upgrade the ram, hd and processor in my acer a little while ago, works great, very good boost in performance.
     
    kojack, May 5, 2009
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  9. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    What chipset do you have in your Sony?
    The T2330 is a socket P processor, so chances are it can be upgraded without much trouble at all

    You can find this information in the motherboard tab in CPU-Z

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, May 5, 2009
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  10. Angelic

    Angelic Kickin' back :3

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    You can, its just not usually worth it.
     
    Angelic, May 5, 2009
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  11. lilkoolkid94

    lilkoolkid94 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Here is all my CPU info:


    Number of CPU(s) One Physical Processor / 2 Cores / 2 Logical Processors / 64 bits

    CPU Full Name Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU T2330 @ 1.60GHz

    CPU Name Intel Pentium T2330

    CPU Code Name Merom

    Platform Name Socket P (478)

    Revision M0

    Technology 65 nm

    Instructions MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, ET64, XD, EST

    Original Clock 1600 MHz

    Original System Clock 133 MHz

    Original Multiplier 12.1

    CPU Clock 1600 MHz

    System Clock 133.0 MHz

    FSB 532.0 MHz

    Core 0 Speed 1596.0 MHz

    Core 0 Multiplier 12.0

    Core 1 Speed 1596.0 MHz

    Core 1 Multiplier 12.0

    L1 Data Cache 2 x 32 KBytes

    L1 Instructions Cache 2 x 32 KBytes

    L2 Cache 1024 KBytes



    This CPU is an old 65nm one, so the only CPU I could find that I THINK would be compatible is this one:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819111316

    Do you know for sure if this would be compatible? Or do you have any recommendations? Thanks for all the help so far! =D
     
    lilkoolkid94, May 6, 2009
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  12. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    Well you posted all of your processor specs, but we need to know what chipset is in your laptop.

    Example (i945PM)
    This is in the motherboard section of CPU-Z

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, May 6, 2009
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  13. lilkoolkid94

    lilkoolkid94 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Oh, sorry X)

    Intel GL960
     
    lilkoolkid94, May 6, 2009
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  14. lilkoolkid94

    lilkoolkid94 Notebook Enthusiast

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    You still there K-TRON?
     
    lilkoolkid94, May 6, 2009
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  15. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    As you probably know by now, yes, most laptop's processors can be upgraded. However, you have to ask yourself whether it would be better to just buy a brand new laptop instead of investing $250+ on a new chip. Laptops tend not to last as long as desktops and can't be repaired component by component, so when the warranty runs out after a year and you invest in a new CPU, your laptop could fry in the next six months and now your out $250 on a new chip that you barely used for six months.

    The only components that would be really be worth upgrading on a laptop would be the memory and also the hard drive, not really the CPU unless you can get a really good price on it, and I mean REALLY good.
     
    usapatriot, May 6, 2009
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  16. RainMotorsports

    RainMotorsports Formerly ClutchX2

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    Most HP/Compaq laptops actually use soldered cpu's, i dont think you mentioned the make of your laptop?
     
    RainMotorsports, May 6, 2009
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  17. wackydude1234

    wackydude1234 Notebook Evangelist

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    lol yea he did :D
     
    wackydude1234, May 6, 2009
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  18. RainMotorsports

    RainMotorsports Formerly ClutchX2

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    Oh okay, not sure on the sonys but I'd assume only the ultra light models would be soldered with the rest being socketed.
     
    RainMotorsports, May 6, 2009
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  19. lilkoolkid94

    lilkoolkid94 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you for all the help everyone has provided me with! I think I'm going to take your word for it and just buy a new hd and I just ordered some ram, and I'll just wait til this comp craps out and buy a new one without bothering with the CPU. Once again thank you everyone!
     
    lilkoolkid94, May 6, 2009
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  20. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    The processor is definitely upgradeable. Only ultraportables have soldered processors. His laptop has a removable and upgradeable processor.

    According to Intel the GL960 officially only supports celeron M processors.
    However there are individuals on here who have upgraded to a core 2 duo without any problem

    This guy put a T5450 in his laptop, which has a GL960 chipset:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=210436

    I would say you are completely safe upgrading to any of these processors:
    Core 2 Duo T5250 1500 2048 667
    Core 2 Duo T5450 1667 2048 667
    Core 2 Duo T5550 1833 2048 667
    Core 2 Duo T5750 2000 2048 667
    Core 2 Duo T5850 2133 2048 667

    Your pentium dual core is slower than all of the aforementioned processors. Go for the T5850 for the best results.

    I highly doubt a T7700 will work in it

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, May 6, 2009
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  21. lilkoolkid94

    lilkoolkid94 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Wow, thank you K-TRON!
     
    lilkoolkid94, May 6, 2009
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