Can I upgrade my laptops cpu?

Zeurth

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May 6, 2014
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I currently have a HP Elitebook 8730w with an Intel core 2 duo T9550 cpu.

It's overheating and causing stuttering so I plan on replacing it. (I know how hard it is, I've already replaced the motherboard.)

My question is, can I upgrade the cpu?
To say the Intel Core 2 Extreme Processor X9100
or Intel core 2 duo T9600?

It's not soldered to the motherboard as I removed it when replaced the motherboard.

Thank you.
Edit: if this is in the wrong place, I'm sorry.
 
If you can get to it, then yes, as long as it is compatitble with the motherboard. You removed the motherboard and replace it, right? Even with the heatsink in the way? Also go ahead and remove any dust in the vent as well. What is the laptop sitting on?
 


When I replaced the motherboard, I thought maybe it was just the motherboard that was damaged but the cpu was also so I put it back together since it was my first time thinking maybe that was all.

It's currently sitting on a cooling pad with a fan that pretty much always blows on it because I live in Vegas.

I plan on replacing the heatsink along with the cpu i'm just wondering if maybe the motherboards aren't compatitble or if it'll take additional energy.

Thanks for the response.
 
Just have to stay within the TDP of the old processor really which is 35W for both the T9550 and T9600. The X9100 is rated at 44W and might run a little warm in a computer not built for it or not get enough power from the motherboard.
 

Is there anyway to tell if the X9100 would work or no?

Don't want to be screwed and sorry really new to this, thanks for the help.
 
Not really. Doing research on laptops is usually problematic. The vendor will list what they released it with and that is about it, if anything useful at all. Unless you can find evidence of someone having done it I wouldn't take the risk unless you can spare the money.

I don't usually tinker with hardware changes on laptops myself. Just buy a high end processor and a mid-range GPU and let it ride until it dies. But since they aren't my primary machines they tend to last a very long time for me.
 


Thanks again, I'll look around.
 
Yep, you've already done the hard work in knowing that the CPU is socketed and identifying the available CPUs that can fit.

There are 'techniques' I have seen for people putting higher wattage CPUs in laptops. Usually involves finding empty space in the chassis near the heat pipes and adding tiny heatsinks to increase dissipation. Using high grade thermal paste, lapping, de-lidding.

But with no guarantee of success it makes you wonder if the money should go towards a new system. You can already get 7th gen core ultrabooks.
 


Last question is there anyway to tell how much my motherboard outputs? currently the motherboard is the 30EC model with the intel pm45 chipset and http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel_(chipsets)/PM45_Express.html says its supported, should I trust this or no?

(Supporting the X9100)

and if I do is there bios updating needed?
 


Update the BIOS first.

Short of actually trying it, you probably won't know til you try.

I took a laptop from a lowly Pentium to a 45W i7 (said it was supported by the chipset also, but that's all I could find), but the cooling solution is barely sufficient for the i7 at full turbo boost. I need to get my hands back on the thermal paste I used on my other computer that seems to make all the difference in the world.
 


Thank you very much.