Can I upgrade the CPU on my laptop?

Question

I have a HP Pavillion g7 2323dx notebook pc. I'm contemplating upgrading some of the components, such as adding a stick of RAM, and maybe upgrading the HDD to a higher RPM model (it comes with 5400). The processor runs at 1.9GHz, with boost going up to 2.8GHz.

Now, I contacted HP, and they told me that it was possible to change/upgrade to a different processor, but they "Did not support this." Basically, I could do it, and they know what processors I could use, but they refuse to give out that information.

Can anyone help with this?

The motherboard information:
A70M W8STD (683029-501)

Please keep in mind that I am currently in school now for Computer Engineering, and PC Pro Certification, and with this, I don't mind how much trouble it is, and I'm doing this primarily for experimentation, and fun. I have no interest in buying a new pc, I want to do what I can with this one.

Thank you for your time.

Answer 1

Right. That's not actually an answer, which is why I posted it here, on yahoo answers, not yahoo opinions ( that's really what the end paragraph was addressing). Why should I not be able to ask a question if I'm going for computer engineering? There was nothing in the documentation, I can't find anything for the specifications of the motherboard (ex: What CPUs are supported), and I contacted the manufacturer to no avail. I would like to get answers without taking the system apart first, and I'm not finding anything online. If anyone has an actual answer or something helpful to add, I would greatly appreciate it.

Answer 2

Hi, original poster. It would help if you could include your processor information. But, after doing a google search, it appears that you have an AMD A8 4500m. I just updated the laptop that I am typing on from an AMD A8 4500m to an AMD A10 4600m. It was a $30 processor from ebay including shipping. It works just fine. What you'll want to do is purchase thermal paste and find your laptop model on youtube and watch one of the videos of a tear down. It's not hard. It took me about 20 min to take the laptop apart. You'll also need to upgrade the system bios. I'm not sure how far along you are with your coursework, but generally speaking upgrading a CPU on a laptop is not something you'll ever take a class for, so trust me, your question is not dumb, and you're smart for asking. Upgrading the bios could be tricky, depending on the model laptop, HP may or may not have updated the bios. But you may be in luck, I believe that HP has an update to your bios! I'd recommend doing that after you've purchased your CPU and before you do the physical install. Good luck and be sure to ask if you have any questions.

Answer 3

If you have to ask the question then I wouldn't attempt it. If you are doing computer engineering you shouldn't really have to ask the advice of others you should be able to work it out for yourself



on some laptops it is possible to upgrade the CPU if they are socketed. However it may not be advisable, often the laptop has to be completely dismantled to get to the processor and you risk damaging many of the delicate cables and connectors if you are not used to doing this sort of thing. Also you may be running the laptop outside of the manufacturers intended specs, so a faster processor often generates more heat so the fans may be working harder and more noise, the battery life will be less if there is a higher power draw, the BIOS may not recognise the different CPU.

Most laptop CPUs are not sold direct to the end user only to the trade or manufacturers. As most of these CPUs are not current, then you would have to source off eBay or amazon. Finally most workshops would refuse this sort of work as you would be taking the laptop outside of the recommmended specs.



If you still want to have a go check if the laptop came with different processors and stick to the same CPU family. Also research the motherboard chipset to find out what processors it is compatible with. Even then if HP haven't programmed the BIOS to accommodate different processors it still may not work. I have successfully swapped CPU in a Fujitsu laptop only because it was clear that there were various models with more powerful CPUs. You obviously do this at your own risk

Answer 4

While you "may" be able to upgrade the RAM & CPU of the laptop, you'd likely have more money involved in it than this project would be worth. You could likely upgrade to a better computer by selling the current laptop and purchasing a laptop that meets your requirements. You talked about adding RAM, but you neglected to say what Windows operating system you have installed. If it's a 32-bit OS, then 4GB of RAM is the maximum you can run anyway. Not too many laptops that have less than 4GB of RAM off of the shelf these days. The difference in hard drive speed would not even be noticeable to you. I rather doubt if this upgrade you'd like to have done would satisfy your needs. Discuss this with a competent technician at a local computer repair shop, to get their opinion.

Answer 5

Almost every laptop and portable computer allows a user to upgrade the memory (RAM) in the computer. Often this is done by opening a compartment on the bottom of the laptop and adding or removing and adding a new stick of memory.



Many times you must purchase the memory for your laptop through the laptop manufacturer or an authorized dealer. However, many memory manufacturers and companies also make compatible memory for many of the newer laptops. If you have questions about your laptops memory specifications or how to upgrade the memory you should contact the manufacturer of your laptop.

Some laptop and portable computer manufacturers allow their customers to upgrade their processor speeds. However, if available seriously consider the upgrade in speed and the cost, often for the amount of money spent and the little increase in performance it may not be worth the upgrade. This upgrade often requires the laptop computer or portable computer manufacturer or authorized repair shop to perform the upgrade and is not something an end-user will be able to do.



If you are curious about the availability of upgrading your laptop or portable computer processor and the cost involved you must contact the laptop manufacturer for additional information.

Answer 6

Technically you can upgrade just about every part in a laptop but when it comes to CPU, I would highly suggest looking at how much it costs first and if you will be able to replace it yourself or have some one do it professionally. The reason I say so is because CPU is the most expensive hardware in the computer and usually when there is a need to replace something like this, people often suggest just buying a new computer instead because CPU costs can go up to 500 - 700 for replacement + labor if you have somebody replace it for you.

Answer 7

Some laptop and portable computer manufacturers allow their customers to upgrade their processor speeds. However, if available seriously consider the upgrade in speed and the cost, often for the amount of money spent and the little increase in performance it may not be worth the upgrade. This upgrade often requires the laptop computer or portable computer manufacturer or authorized repair shop to perform the upgrade and is not something an end-user will be able to do.

Answer 8

Hi No it is not really an option given the heat such a processor would produce in such a small space a a laptop case. that is the first issue secondly the fan would have to be so large it simply would not fit in the case. then there is power consumption of the processor chip it would be so great that the would most likely melt the circuit board around the processor chip.

Answer 9

No cause laptop if you upgrade cpu(processor) it will not supported by laptop's RAM & BIOS in some cases motherboard also not support this upgration .

ALSO IF you upgrade RAM sometimes motherboard will not support it.

Answer 10

If you are not getting the information regarding the component then it is difficult to do so. Without having the full information experiments can be done but success is not sure

Answer 11

If you are not getting the information regarding the component then it is difficult to do so. Without having the full information experiments can be done but success is not sure.

Answer 12

I would totally not attempt it and the CPU is probably soldered to the motherboard thats what it is like in most cases.

Answer 13

Nope

Answer 14

Really this is a AMD Quard core cPu Part No: Part #: 683048-001

go to Hp Part Surf

http://partsurfer.hp.com/Search.aspx





Laptop Specs

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&docname=c03715795





Processor Detail

http://www.sparepartswarehouse.com/HP,G7,D8X71UA,Laptop,Processors-CPU.aspx



Those information are not showing alternate part no. But you can try with processor code like AM4500DEC44HJ



as descriptions of A8 Series

A8-Series for Notebooks



» Bulldozer microarchitecture

» 0.032 micron

» Mobile CPU

» Quad core

» Up to 2.4 GHz

» 4 MB L2 cache

» No L3 cache

» 64-bit

» Integrated HD 7xxx / 8xxx GPU

» AES, AVX, FMA instructions

» Turbo Core 3.0

» Virtualization

» ULV options



BGA (FP3)

BGA827 (FP2)

Socket FS1 (FS1r2)



You may be upgrade maximum 2.4GHz

But you have to check socket type FSB and ect....



Refer Maintenance manual



it saying

HP Pavilion g7 Notebook PC

Processors AMD A10-4600M processor (3.2 GHz/2.3 GHz, 1600 MHz/4.0 MB L2 cache, DDR3,

quad core, 35W)

AMD A8-4500M processor (2.8 GHz/1.9 GHz, 1600 MHz/4.0 MB L2 cache, DDR3,

quad core, 35W)

AMD A6-4400M processor (3.2 GHz/2.7 GHz, 1600 MHz/1.0 MB L2 cache, DDR3,

dual core, 35W)

AMD A4-4300M processor (3.0 GHz/2.5 GHz, 1600 MHz/1.0 MB L2 cache, DDR3,

dual core, 35W)



check again



supporting hdd

Supports the following single hard drive configurations:

● 1 TB, 5400 rpm, 9.5 mm

● 750 GB, 7200 rpm, 9.5 mm

● 750 GB, 5400 rpm, 9.5 mm

● 640 GB, 5400 rpm, 9.5 mm

● 500 GB, 7200 rpm, 9.5 mm

● 500 GB, 5400 rpm, 9.5 mm

● 320 GB, 7200 rpm, 9.5 mm

● 320 GB, 5400 rpm, 9.5 mm



Memory Support

Supports up to 8 GB of system RAM

DDR3-1600 MHz, PC3-12800



pls check all parts for valid



http://www.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03593682.pdf

Answer 15

so i know you said your doing it to experiment but the few premade laptops that ive seen, they solder everything together, including the cpu to the socket which i just want to tell you you would hvae to unsolder the old one in case you did not know.

Answer 16

You can upgrade according to required laptop configuration .

Answer 17

Last Box on bottom of page shows compatible processors.

AMD A8-4500M (Socket FS1)

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Bulldozer/AMD-A8-Series%20A8-4500M.html

◘◘◘

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-AMD-Quad-Core-Mobile-A10-5750M-2-5Ghz-Socket-FS1-AM5750DEC44HL-/281125285953

◘◘◘

http://starmicroinc.net/-p-2140.html

◘◘◘

Video Instructions

http://www.howtomakeonline.org/UJkM3MoneyFXaJsF/Hp-Pavilion-AMD-A10-CPU-APU-Upgrade:-A6-4400M-to-A10-5750M-or-A10-4600M.html

Answer 18

Nope. Only RAM and HDD.

Answer 19

I would go to Radio shack and modulate configuration.

Answer 20

yes

Answer 21

Sure you can however this may damage your laptop

Answer 22

sure, contact me ill walk yyu through it

Answer 23

check system bios

Answer 24

what the manual say if you can, then yes.

Answer 25

twingy i think

Answer 26

???