Trying to upgrade my laptop's processor. What do you recommend?

Hey, currently I have an HP dv7-1245DX laptop. Here are the specs:

Windows 7
AMD Turion X2 dual core @ 2.10 ghz -- 64 bit
4 GB RAM - (2x DDR2 SDRAM )
ATI Radeon 3200 Graphics card
320 GB HD

The problem is that it overheats and I've read reviews and it said it was because of the AMD Turion processor. Is there another processor I could upgrade that would be a little faster and also not overheat my laptop? If I needed to, I could also replace the motherboard. But I would prefer to just replace the processor. (A quad-core would be nice also.)

When I say it overheats.. I mean that the normal core temp is 84C. It can get to 108C.
Thank you!

 

All the AMD processors from that series run hot. The higher the frequency, the hotter they run.

You can undervolt the processor which will make it run cooler. See this tutorial: http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...iffin-cpu-undervolting-guide-ql-rm-si-zm.html

Otherwise, you would have to change the motherboard and go with Intel which run cooler.

Here's the service manual for the dv7:
Intel/AMD: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01918142.pdf

Also, clean out the fan and radiators.

 

AMD's are known for high heat generating processors, especially the Turion line. I would recommend applying better thermal paste so that the laptop can cool more efficiently or investing in a cooling pad. If you were to upgrade to a processor in which it runs at cooler temperatures, then you would have to go and swap your motherboard out for an Intel one which can sometimes be a hassle.

 

I found the intel motherboard for the HP Pavilion DV7:
Wholesale Free shipping! HP DV7 motherboard 480365 001

Would this work for my current setup? I see that it supports the DDR2 RAM so my RAM should work still.. is there anything else that i should worry about if I buy it?

(I broke a ZIF connector off my AMD motherboard...) (The one that connects from the power button, volume buttons etc. to the motherboard)

 

Any DV7 of that series mobo will work. Though, there are several types of graphics with the Intel mobos. Be sure you know which mobo has which. And I believe you may need the appropriate heatsink for the corresponding board. If so, it will be listed in the service manual.

 

Alright so this is what Ive come up with:
The description of the motherboard I want to buy is:
"System board with PM45 Northbridge and nVidia NB9P-GS discrete graphics subsystem memory and 512-GB of graphics subsystem memory for use only with computer models equipped with Intel processors"

And I believe the coresponding heatsink is:
"For use only with computer models equipped with Intel processors and graphics subsystems with 512-MB of discrete memory"

Not sure what the 512-MB of discrete memory is.. is that a good thing?

 

It's the graphics memory. Yes, good thing.

You will also have to buy an Intel CPU. Mobos don't come with one.

 

ahhh well it seems the motherboard is a socket 478 but i was really hoping to use a Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad. I Guess ill have to find someone who can solder a motherboard piece or buy a new laptop :/

 

It should be a Socket P.

 

Well for example: these two dv7 intel motherboards are for sale but they say Socket 478.

480365-001 HP DV7 1200EG DV7-1201EF MOTHERBOARD 00834 - eBay (item 180580852279 end time Nov-08-10 18:45:15 PST)

480365-001 | Hp Compaq 480365-001 Laptop Motherboard



Are you sure they're also a 'P socket' ?

 

Also check the service manual for the heatsink assembly. Often they use a different one for the discrete versus integrated models.

 

Yes I'm gonna have to buy their "intel" heatsink with the motherboard, and also a processor. Im just trying to make sure the processor im buying (it says Socket 478) will be compatible with a Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad

 

See http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...tel-mobile-processor-compatibility-guide.html for CPUs compatible with PM45 chipset. A 800Mhz FSB T4500 or T6400 could be a cheap option if wanted to do a from 200Mhz->266Mhz FSLx PLL pinmod

 

PM45 chipsets all use socket P. Don't know why those ads say socket 478 which is years old.

 

Okay thank you 2.0, I was just about to make a post asking if the PM45 Intel Chipset made it able to be compatible with a core 2 duo cause it was a little confusing. I +rep'd. I'll make another post on here when I gather all the parts that I need to buy to see if I have everything correct to make this work. (motherboard, heatsink, processor) (fan? gotta research)

ive also learned a lot after taking the laptop apart

 

//EDIT\\
Put down a desktop processor, fixed.

Items I'm buying:
HP DV7 480365-001 Motherboard
^>Includes:
-CPU Socket: mPGA478
-Chipset: Intel PM45
-Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 9600m GT w/ 512MB Display Memory
HP DV7 480472-001 Heatsink
Intel Core 2 Duo BX80577P8700

Items I already own and will be combining with the purchased items:
Memory: DDR2 RAM (4 gigs)
HD: WD3200BEVT
DVD+/-RW and CD-RW: HP 460507FC0

I found out the fan I currently have on my AMD motherboard is an Intel fan? Weird.

Now combining all these items together should make everything work perfectly right? I mean most of this stuff is made for the DV7 anyways. I just need to know for sure.

 

All good. Nice choice in CPU. You'll also have fun gaming with that GPU.

Don't forget about thermal compound for CPU & GPU. Arctic Silver 5 or IC Diamond.

 

Thanks for your help 2.0, I'll be sure to respond back once everything comes.

However, there's one thing I'm still uncertain about..
In the dv7 manual there is a different switch cover for the intel and amd processors. (The switch cover has the power button, volume, etc.) From what I can tell from pictures, they look like they are the same. Intel and AMD don't have like different connectors to the motherboard do they?

Because I know that in my AMD motherboard, I have the HP's "intel" fan installed and it works fine. I was just wondering if the "amd" switch cover will work fine with the Intel motherboard.

 

Only way you'll know for sure is to try OR someone else chimes in that has OR can get a schematic of both systemboards and compare the pinout of the revelant connector.

 

Like Nando says, you'll have to wait and see when you try it.

Also, the manual lists a different keyboard for each.

However in my experience, none of those parts were mobo specific. So I don't see why it would be for this particular model.

 

This is true. And on ebay if you look at they keyboards for the dv7. It just shows that it's compatible with the
DV7-1200 Series
or.. DV7-1100 Series
It doesn't mention anything about the AMD or Intel processors. (Which is a good sign because my keyboard has the same type of connector as my switch cover. And from looking at the Intel motherboard picture, I can see it has the same 'clips' that my AMD motherboard has to hook up to the switch cover and keyboard.)
^> Same goes for the dv7 switch covers on ebay. They are for the Series. They don't seem to be categorized by a processor

 

I was looking around and i found a brand new Intel Q9100-Quad Core 2.26GHz Processor (mobile) that is $25 less than the Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile...

This version of the Quad Core is also a Socket P. Would you guys recommend this over the Core 2 Duo?

 

That may not work in this version of the DV7 since it is not supported in BIOS. So the computer may not even post after power on.

 

DV7 uses a Phoenix or Insyde BIOS. Could extract the CPU microcode from a system that does support Quad cores if your bios doesn't and inject it into your bios using PhoenixTool. A bit more advanced, but can be done.

 

True, but there needs to be a recovery method in case things get borked. Otherwise, the experimenter is left with a bricked mobo.

 

hmmm you know.. I think i'll just make sure everything works out first with the Core 2 Duo then update to a quad core eventually haha

Thanks guys

 

So today I installed everything and I turn on my laptop and in about 1 minute it just shuts off automatically. Any idea what could be causing this?
I took out the wireless adapter, dvdrom, hard drive, and even unplugged the display and then tried turning it on but it still shuts off in about 1 minute. The fan is sucking in air and the heatsink is also blowing air out. The laptop shuts off before I have time to install a new version of windows off my flash drive. I'm not sure whats wrong...

 

//EDIT\\
Problem solved!

 

Success!
My old AMD laptop:
AMD Turion x2 processor
ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics

Upgraded to:
Intel core 2 duo processor
Nvidia Geforce 9600m GT w/ 512 MB memory
New heatsink
New WLAN card
New switch cover

--works perfectly, thanks for all the help

I'd also like to point out I went from getting a core temperature reading of 100 degrees C and higher, to 32-35 degrees C

 

Seriously, nicely done.