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    will a 2nd gen CPU work on a 3rd gen laptop/socket?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by niffcreature, Feb 8, 2016.

  1. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

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    i realize i should know or be able to figure this out but can i stick a sandy bridge CPU in a 3rd gen laptop? i know it doesn't work the other way around. thanks
     
  2. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

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    lol, ironically the 2nd ebay result for vostro 3560: "DELL Vostro 3560 Core i5-2450M 2.5GHz 4Gb 320Gb DVDRW 15.6" Laptop No OS"

    it was a typo, its a 3550
     
  3. djembe

    djembe drum while you work

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    From what Intel ARK says, quad-core i7 processors of Sandy & Ivy Bridge should be socket compatible, but dual-core processors are less clear. The pin count is the same, but Sandy Bridge processors use socket PPGA988, and Ivy Bridge processors use FCPGA988. Not sure what the difference between those sockets are, but Intel calls them different sockets.
     
  4. LTBonham

    LTBonham Notebook Evangelist

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    If I remember correctly at least some 2nd gen and 3rd gen processors are compatible. I think when I was looking at Pre-ordering a Clevo P170em it had the ability to run both gens.
     
  5. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

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    hmmmmm

    did a bit of research.... sandy bridge will work on ivy bridge platforms but not vice versa..... anyone wanna confirm?
     
  6. Dufus

    Dufus .

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  7. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    It depends a lot on the BIOS tbh... Alienware for example supports this in M17x R4 and 18x R2 but not the other way around in 17x R3 and 18x R1 which cannot run Ivy Bridge CPUs...
     
  8. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    sandy bridge cpu in an ivy chipset should work. I have tried 2920XM in my M18x R2, and it works.
    Does not work the other way around. No 3920XM in M18x R1.
     
  9. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Yes that is what I meant ;)
     
  10. Dufus

    Dufus .

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    Just as I meant IvyBridge could run on SandyBridge mobile systems if that wasn't obvious either, if the manufacturers were willing to provide the firmware to allow it.
     
  11. triturbo

    triturbo Long live 16:10 and MXM-B

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    Actually in both cases it's a matter of BIOS, but it's much more likely to find an Ivy system to support Sandy, than the other way around. New systems must be sold, and let's say that they are a bit tolerant about the CPU and would let you to use your old one (2920XM for example).