i3-2350M ---> i7-2620M compatibility?

Hello guys,

I am wondering if I can replace the i3-2350M in my Lenovo T420i (no dedicated graphics) with a i7-2620M?

Thank you in advance!!

 

yes, specially if Im not mistaken there was a FRU (T420) of that unit with that particular cpu

 

Can anyone else confirm the compatibility before I go ahead with the operation?

Can I expect better graphics performance from the i7?

 

Yes you can swap in the 2620M into a T420i, it's listed as an official FRU for CTO models for the T420i; source: T420i/T420 HMM (Hardware Maintenance Manual) Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad T420, T420i

I don't think the GPU on the 2620M is THAT much faster if any faster then the 2350M.

 

With almost 44% more horsepower, I think the difference will be easily noticeable (with an appropriate workload and/or depending how sensitive you are to the responsiveness of the O/S, etc.).

See:
PassMark - Intel Core i7-2620M @ 2.70GHz - Price performance comparison


See:
PassMark - Intel Core i3-2350M @ 2.30GHz - Price performance comparison



As for increasing the gpu performance - nah - unless 0.15GHz (Max) frequency will make a difference. Or, unless the increased performance from the cpu will help the gpu FPS 'score' in any appreciable way.


See:
ARK | Compare Intel® Products



I would be hesitant the upgrade a working system though - even with a potential 44% cpu advantage (and almost certainly 0% advantage on the gpu side).

I would much rather spend ~$800 for an IB based platform (i7 3632QM) for double to quadruple the performance (gpu and cpu performance, respectively) from your current cpu - or, closer to the ~$1K mark for a Haswell based platform (i7 47000HQ) for even more performance and even better battery life...

Not to mention the upgraded O/S a new system will offer (Win 8.1 Pro x64, highly recommended) the extended warranty, the new computer 'smell' and the cost reduction of the new system when you take into account the money you will get when you sell your old (working) system 'as-is'.


And, if you can wait (save while you're waiting...) for next year's Broadwell platforms - the upgrade will be worth every minute you'll be anticipating the new system over the next few months.


Good luck.

 

For alot of users, a ThinkPad is usually is company issued, so buying a new laptop is out of the question (not to talk about alot of corporations and government agencies will not support Windows 8, good riddance).

 

Windows 8/8.1 is what takes the most advantage of the new/current/future hardware that we have or will have available to us in the near future.

It is also very stable, fluid and is essentially like Windows 7 if you stay away from the fluff of what the start screen offers.

Very, little effort to get used to Windows 8/8.1 and the benefits it brings under the hood.



Good riddance? Sure; to XP, Vista and Win7, OS/x, iOS, Android, Ubuntu, etc. ...

 

Me being in IT Tech Support, that statement really doesn't bode well. You try supporting 2-3 different OS with all different images, all over the network. There's a reason why nobody wants to support Windows 8, because there is nothing wrong with 7 and it is stable (not that 8 isn't stable), but companies don't want to support multiple OS for a reason, you increase your support costs. That and the government still hasn't even fully switched over to Windows 7, my dad at the GAO only started last year and they still haven't fully transitioned. For business professionals who do normal tasks (remote login, Word, Email), Windows 8 offers nothing. Windows 8 will probably NEVER be adopted by the govt and many Fortune 500 companies, just for the sheer fact of transitioning to 7 has cost $$$ and years of labor, probably the next generation of Windows they might consider [esp since they skipped Vista].

 

Tsunade is quite right.

I am really not looking for the most powerful laptop in the world, I am just trying to get the most of my company laptop, which does a perfect job for me apart from lacking some CPU power and mainly GPU power for some of the tasks I do.
Although the T420 was my choice for a business laptop and I don't regret it at all, I would never consider such an ugly brick for a private laptop - still very happy with my Vaio

So since I have the i7 available on another company laptop which I barely use, I was wondering if I can swap them

And not at all interested in Windows 8 As mentioned - there is absolutely nothing wrong with a Win7 x64

But thanks for the ideas anyway!
Might do the transplantation this weekend and will tell you about the effect

 

Worked out fine!!
My lenovo is now with the i7 and my Probook - i3

Thanks guys!

 

Congratulations and enjoy the upgraded CPU! :thumbsup: Any performance comparison to be shared?

 

Too early to say. Didn't have much time to play with it. But will report back when I collect some experience

 

I still haven't had a chance to put more stress on the processor, but subjectively I think I notice a slight increase in performance and reaction time. Haven't had any problems. And according to WEI the graphics performance has increased significantly... will see next time I put some 3D-design graphics on it