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    Sony F Series and 920XM

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by TenisuBaka, Feb 21, 2010.

  1. TenisuBaka

    TenisuBaka Notebook Guru

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    Although the 920XM is not available as an option from Sony, would I be able to upgrade the CPU to a 920 by myself? Obviously the chipset is fine, but what about the BIOS? Also, would I be able to get the lowest CPU version of the laptop to do this, or would have to be a 720qm machine from the get go?
     
    TenisuBaka, Feb 21, 2010
    #1
  2. H.A.L. 9000

    H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw

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    IDK... the 720qm is rated at 45w TDP, and the 920xm is rated at 55w TDP. I don't know if the F's cooling system can handle that kind of heat, or even if the socket itself will supply 55w of power. Provided the i5 Sony uses is PGA988, then at least the socket will physically accept an i7.
     
    H.A.L. 9000, Feb 21, 2010
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  3. camplate1

    camplate1 Newbie

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    i had a 720qm and put a 820qm in my self and it runs good but i havent tried a 920xm yet
     
    camplate1, Feb 21, 2010
    #3
  4. TenisuBaka

    TenisuBaka Notebook Guru

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    Yeah, the 820 is a factory option anyone can order from Sony, so of course there would be no problem there. Actually, here in Japan, the F series starts at the i3-330M, which would save me quite a bit of money, if all I had to do was pop in the new CPU.
     
    TenisuBaka, Feb 21, 2010
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  5. TenisuBaka

    TenisuBaka Notebook Guru

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    Just tried to verify about the PGA988, but all I could find was that all models have the PM55 Express chipset.
     
    TenisuBaka, Feb 21, 2010
    #5
  6. roncruiser

    roncruiser Notebook Enthusiast

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    Let us know how you do with this upgrade. Keep us informed. Thanks.
     
    roncruiser, Feb 23, 2010
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  7. Gryazniy

    Gryazniy Newbie

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    Hello,


    were you able to upgrade it to 920xm?


    I'm trying to do exactly the same .


    Thanks!
     
    Gryazniy, Jan 28, 2011
    #7
  8. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    Its not advisable, the cooling system of the F series is not that good to handle the 920xm.
     
    Karamazovmm, Jan 28, 2011
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  9. Hayte

    Hayte Notebook Evangelist

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    I dunno what you are talking about. There are 2x versions of the F series - one that takes Arrandales and the other that takes Clarksfields. If you have the Clarksfield one (PM55), I don't see any reason why you cant drop a 920XM in it as long as the external power brick can handle the increased power requirements under full load.

    The F series cooling system is effective and its good at cooling the 720QM and the gpu, though as has been mentioned so many times in the Owner's Lounge, the biggest problem is that the cooling system is extremely restless and quite loud at full load. The backplate of the chasis is already warm enough at load that it is very uncomfortable to use the notebook on your lap so if you do drop a 920XM in it, be prepared for more heat and more noise. And the worst thing of all is battery life. Battery life is already astonishingly poor with a 720QM.
     
    Hayte, Jan 29, 2011
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  10. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

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    So anyone managed this? Is BIOS locked?
     
    James D, Sep 16, 2011
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  11. dalamchops

    dalamchops Notebook Evangelist

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    givingt his a bump as i'd like to find out also.
     
    dalamchops, Sep 18, 2011
    #11
  12. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

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    Perhaps I will figure out how to unlock this. Is anybody here with not the latest BIOS on his machine?
     
    James D, Oct 7, 2011
    #12