Seen quite a lot of posts asking if the CPU/GC of a laptop to be upgraded or not...

Answer is: Possible... (Read: Not YES) But integrated GC is a definite NO

CPU is easier among the 2... Find the CPU, open up the laptop, change it, put everything back in, and u re done.

GC, on the other hand, is more challenging... The dedicated GC usually is soldered to the motherboard... So unless u ve the tools and the new GC ready to be soldered, there's no way for u to change...

Some models, however, use Nvidia's MXM interface instead. MXM was proposed by Nvidia to be the interface for laptop GC a few years ago, and is now a standard in the industry. Blur??? well, think of it as the PCI-E x16 interface on desktops...

However, unlike PCI-E x16, MXM is not "1 type fits all". There are a total of 4 types of MXM... Namely: Type I, Type II, Type III and Type IV (lol)... The type to be used depends on the TDP of the GPU itself. Type I is for value cards such as HD 3450 and 9300M GS. Type II is for mainstream cards like HD 3650, 9600M GT. Type III is for performance cards like 9700M GT, and lastly Type IV is for enthusiast cards like 9800M GTX. A Type IV cards can only fit in a Typ Iv interface on the motherboard and no others. (However I am not sure if the other way round applies , ie Type I card on Type IV interface)

So there goes the slightly technical explanation, the following a some points for you to pounder if you want to upgrade:

1) Warranty void immediately as u open up and dismantle the laptop
2) Finding the CPU/GC is a challenge...
3) The CPU/GC may not be compatible with the motherboard even if it's from the same family of the one u re using now
4) BIOS update may solve the problem of compatibility, but i hope u understand the risk of BIOS update
5) No guarantee that the CPU/GC will work even if u fit in nicely
6) The heatsinks and stuff needs to be sit on the hardware very nicely... slightly off and it may lead to overheat
7) Even if u manage to do all the above and boot up, the new CPU/GC may overheat in the chasis, since the laptop may not be designed to hold that CPU/GC in the first place

If you are prepared to risk it, go ahead... If you are ever doubtful on any of the points, I suggest you keep your laptop as it is.

Thanks , good one.
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Locked it to prevent spamming.



This post has been edited by prasys: Dec 2 2008, 01:23 PM

***thread re-opened***

If u think that sth's missing and should be included, pls pm me...

all comments are welcomed

***thread locked***