Need aid for Y510 question

Hi there, I'm hoping someone can lend some insight to a question i have...

here's the situation: my Inspiron 6400 died a few months ago and i was looking for a replacement. I have my eye on an Asus F-81, but i got wind of the Y510.

My gf has a friend who wants to part with her used Y510, basically configured with a T2XXX series processor and X3100 graphics, for 400$ cdn. I was considering buying it and upgrading it with a much better processor, 4g of ram and possibly an 8400 / 8600m. GPU. I know that more powerful versions were offered but not in canada. I can't find any lenovo parts for new GPUs or anything.. so I'd like to know if it is indeed possible to bring an X3100-powered Y510 up to an 8400 or 8600. Does the Y510 use MXM format? That's the critical point for me, since i do intend to do some gaming on the machine at a level beyond Intel graphics.

Any help in steering me to a service guide would be helpful too lol.

Thanks!

 

The processor is definitely upgradeable, so no problems here. You should also look into a 7200rpm hard drive.

The GPU is a problem, most are soldered to the mainboard. The GPU [in the Y510 with discrete graphics] sits in a slot [possibly MXM]. It's possible that those with x3100 graphics can accept this graphics card but you will need the proper heatsink and some modifications. Installing a discrete graphics card may disable the integrated graphics and allow you to utilize the discrete graphics. OR it may not work. It's a gamble you may not be willing to take.