Upgrading processor on my L502x

Hello,

I've currently got a laptop with an i5-2410m processor and 6gb RAM. I was considering an upgrade to an i7-2670qm because I found one at a cheap price. Would appreciate thoughts on whether it would be worthwhile.

I've been gaming a bit recently and since I've got an integrated video card, all I can do is upgrade my processor. So please share your thoughts. Thank you.

 

Short answer; yes.

Long answer; Comparison of Mobile Processors (all non-U Sandy and Ivy, up from the 2410M)

Thing is that multithreaded will help you with gaming (unlike practically every other type of real-world scenario). Newer games and gpu's are designed with multiple cores in mind, so you do stand to benefit (see column R11.5 64-bit). More so if you have sufficient cooling headway left; the +10W it takes will hinder when the system's running too hot. Since they're both 32nm, the additional performance is mostly gained with higher clocks (and more cache), but not better efficiency. If your system cannot cope with +10W, then the cpu would downclock to prevent overheating, limiting the potential gain. Would still be a nice improvement, to be sure.

The Ivy's are for reference only since Dell hasn't provided a bios update to support them (even though they could have). For instance; the 22nm i7-3632QM seemingly benchmarks at a mere +10% compared to your 32nm 2670M. Which may not look significant, but it accomplishes this with (45-35)/35 = 29% less power. So, cooling provided (or overclocked), it's actually better by about a third (last %'s are the hardest, so it's not 40%).

Hmm, Ivy's still a future option if you force-flash the bios of a newer, almost-compatible Dell model. The XPS 15 9530 ought to be close, except the chipsets don't match ... insert the cpu id codes into the L502x bios however and there should be no issues. Only for the most daring, of course, or if you can reflash with programmer.

Errr ... got carried away here .

 

Upgrading processor does help but if your not using the processor for intensive apps then you might not see benefits. And with Games unless you got a Dedicated and or Modular GPU upgrading processor will not net you much benefits. For that you will need a dedicate Gaming Rig laptop for games and to run the best will require you spend excessive of 2000US to get a good gaming laptop.

 

Okay so I will see an improvement in gaming but since I have an awful GPU that cannot be upgraded, the improvement will be marginal. My computer doesn't get really hot when I game, but the upgrade might cause it to overheat. Hmm wondering if I should go for it.

 

Well... if you are into emulation then you might actually see a nice increase in performance when playing Wii games or similar.

 

Yeah at this point I'm most concerned about the +10W TDP. Don't know if my computer will be able to handle that.

 

Get some good thermal paste like Gelid GC Extreme or IC Diamond and you'll be fine

 

Oh okay. I'd need to ask a friend to help me with everything but I'll look into that.

I have another question. I did some searching and found an offer for an i7-2640M for $125. Or I can go for the i7-2670QM for $55 more. Is it worth the $55 extra to go for the QM? Thanks for your help.

Edit: I also found an i7-2820QM for $200. Kinda stretching my budget but if it is worth the money then I would save up for it.

 

I'd caution you against this upgrade until you can confirm that the Dell XPS 15 (L502x) had the same motherboard for models sold with a dual-core processor as it did for quad-core models. At the same time, also look into whether the fan/heatsink assembly is the same along with the power adapter.

My notebook was sold with both dual- and quad-core Intel processors; the dual-core model has a different motherboard (quad-cores won't work in it) and heatsink.

FYI, the i7-2640 M you're looking at is a dual-core processor which should work without issue (although $125 is a lot of money); anything QM is a quad-core. If you find out that you can upgrade to a quad-core, I'd go with the least expensive one you can find e.g. i7-2630QM unless any higher-numbered version like the i7-2670QM is only a few dollars more (within 10%).

 

Depends on what type of application you want to boost most:

• cpu········cost··cb 64 mc··ratio··cb 32 sc··ratio··
• ·
• i7-2640M···125···3.15······1······4443······1.67···
• i7-2670QM··180···5.19······1.14···3900······1.02···
• i7-2820QM··200···5.48······1.09···4250······1······

So ... if these are mainly 64-bit multithreaded applications; the 2670QM will do a bit better. If they are 32-bit single, however, the numbers are severely in favour of the dual-core 2640M (this is to be expected). The 2820QM isn't worth the extra cost.

A valid point, except it's even more ominous; there were no quad-cores within the L502X series (that'd be the L521X range).

Fortunately for us most system builders make near-identical bioses for a whole bunch of laptop series (Dell included). One thing that helps this cost-saving measure is to slap in the same cpu codes in all of them:

If you'd cross-check with other bios releases around the same period you'd see the same line. Goes a bit like this; mail from Intel; "Here's the details of our latest cpu's!". Dell; "Thanks; copy/paste, done".

Of course, even better is the pudding's proof; other users have all three of those cpu's running in L502X models. The 2920XM seemed to be a failure, but this is odd, seeing that its in the same cpu series. Likely cause would be the +20W was more than the stock power adapter could handle, though that too can be amended with a heavier power brick. Potential issue is that these Dell systems id the adapter used, this needs to be dealt with, otherwise the bios enforces a downthrottle.

 

Thanks for the replies. My main reason for upgrading my processor is so that I can play newer PC games, Since I have a pretty awful video card (NVIDIA GT 525M), I'm hoping that upgrading from my i5-2410M will give my computer a better fighting chance. So would the 2640M suit my needs or should I go for a quad-core? I wasn't able to verify if newer games are multithreaded applications or not. Appreciate the help

 

The graphics card is usually the most important component for playing any given 3D title. Your GT 525M was woefully underpowered even when it was new; upgrading the CPU to even the fastest one your computer can take will not alleviate its deficiencies. Unfortunately that means you're looking at a new computer since the graphics card isn't upgradeable.

 

The truth,,, It hurts! So I suppose I should deal with what I've got until I can save up for a whole new machine.

 

It hurts, but not as much as if you had gone and spent the money on a CPU upgrade and got zero return on investment.

I'm also in the process of saving for a new machine ...hope to have enough money mid next year.

 

Also a great reason to be careful when you buy a new machine to confirm the video card is an MXM module and not something integrated on the motherboard before spending your money. When CPU and GPU upgrades are possible you can get a lot of mileage from a machine. When they are soldered to the motherboard, you are left with a disposable product. This is a difficult situation to be in, but I think it happens to almost every enthusiast or gamer at least once. Not often twice.

 

Yup. The first day that I wanted to upgrade my graphics card, I realized I couldn't. Have learned a lot since then. Thanks for the help fellas.