Laptop CPU Replacement Questions

[Caveman]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1204332501169

Thinking of replacing the CPU to something faster:

1) Laptop CPUs are hard to find. Where do I buy them for the best price?

2) What CPU is the best bang for the buck right now that would be considered a "good" CPU to match the GTS video card onboard?

3) I'm assuming the Laptop market is similar to the desktop market, and there will be CPUs floating around then that I will be able to buy at a substantially reduced price?

 

[IlllI]

#1 & #3 are kind of the same question. not so prevalent as desktop chips. might try looking on ebay for system pulls etc if you want the cheapest.

i wouldnt upgrade unless you feel you need to. whats in it now might be enough for your needs. some reason i get the impression you havent bought the laptop yet, so you might want to hold off until you get a better feel for what it already has.

 

[Caveman]

Wow... This is really a slow board... Regarding #1, I've tried some googling, gone to New Egg site, etc... Hard to find laptop cpus. Where does one get them?

 

[BlueAcolyte]

froogle it? Yea, this board doesn't get a lot of attention. I suppose this could fit in CPUs and Overclocking.

Anyway, you'd want a penryn (T8000/T9000) or merom. (T7000)

Newegg's got the T8100, T8300, and T9300 from $210 to $320.

here

 

[corkyg]

One reason for lack of response to this thread is that laptops are rarely upgradeable. CPUs are most often not user accessible. They usually require removal of the keyboard and are under it. Some laptops would require mobo changes as well, and most are not equipped to do that. Your best chance at parts for laptops is on EBay. Every OEM is different - no standard mobos or designs.

You can Google for OEM specific repair manuals on CDs. Good luck and good hunting.

 

[imported_Husky55]

Originally posted by: corkyg
One reason for lack of response to this thread is that laptops are rarely upgradeable. CPUs are most often not user accessible. They usually require removal of the keyboard and are under it. Some laptops would require mobo changes as well, and most are not equipped to do that. Your best chance at parts for laptops is on EBay. Every OEM is different - no standard mobos or designs.

You can Google for OEM specific repair manuals on CDs. Good luck and good hunting.

True. But the Gateway FX 6080 and the FX6031 (reviewed by Anandtech) are supposed to be extremely easy to upgrade as compared to for example a Dell Inspiron.

 

[Brainonska511]

Additionally, by upgrading the CPU, you void any warranty that was on the laptop.

I'd wait to see how you actually use the computer before deciding if it needs a CPU upgrade. And if it does, search places like Froogle, EBay, etc...

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Additionally, by upgrading the CPU, you void any warranty that was on the laptop.

I'd wait to see how you actually use the computer before deciding if it needs a CPU upgrade. And if it does, search places like Froogle, EBay, etc...

You sure? I checked out the CPU in my laptop (it's the P-6831FX)...It doesn't look like there's any seal that breaks or anything. There's a sticker on the CPU, but I imagine it will stay on there if you replace it...and so if something goes wrong, stick the orinal CPU back in there. I don't think Gateway will notice.

For the OP, you'll need a Socket P CPU. Generally, I think Newegg has the best prices. The T9300 is really popular, though it's a bit over $300.

 

[Wogdog]

Hehe , breathe on a laptop wrong, voids warranty. Just make sure , it will say what's acceptable on the manufactor website. Mostly you are allowed to put memory and maybe a hard drive, and still sometimes that voids it/

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: hans030390

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Additionally, by upgrading the CPU, you void any warranty that was on the laptop.

I'd wait to see how you actually use the computer before deciding if it needs a CPU upgrade. And if it does, search places like Froogle, EBay, etc...

You sure? I checked out the CPU in my laptop (it's the P-6831FX)...It doesn't look like there's any seal that breaks or anything. There's a sticker on the CPU, but I imagine it will stay on there if you replace it...and so if something goes wrong, stick the orinal CPU back in there. I don't think Gateway will notice.

For the OP, you'll need a Socket P CPU. Generally, I think Newegg has the best prices. The T9300 is really popular, though it's a bit over $300.

jesus, if youre going to spend that much extra to upgrade the cpu, why not just order it that way in the first place? gateway has pretty powerful notebooks with similar configs starting at $1299 anyway, he can snag that and upgrade the cpu and whatever and save himself the trouble.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: hans030390

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Additionally, by upgrading the CPU, you void any warranty that was on the laptop.

I'd wait to see how you actually use the computer before deciding if it needs a CPU upgrade. And if it does, search places like Froogle, EBay, etc...

You sure? I checked out the CPU in my laptop (it's the P-6831FX)...It doesn't look like there's any seal that breaks or anything. There's a sticker on the CPU, but I imagine it will stay on there if you replace it...and so if something goes wrong, stick the orinal CPU back in there. I don't think Gateway will notice.

For the OP, you'll need a Socket P CPU. Generally, I think Newegg has the best prices. The T9300 is really popular, though it's a bit over $300.

They don't need a sticker to be broken to know if you messed around with the processor.

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: hans030390

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Additionally, by upgrading the CPU, you void any warranty that was on the laptop.

I'd wait to see how you actually use the computer before deciding if it needs a CPU upgrade. And if it does, search places like Froogle, EBay, etc...

You sure? I checked out the CPU in my laptop (it's the P-6831FX)...It doesn't look like there's any seal that breaks or anything. There's a sticker on the CPU, but I imagine it will stay on there if you replace it...and so if something goes wrong, stick the orinal CPU back in there. I don't think Gateway will notice.

For the OP, you'll need a Socket P CPU. Generally, I think Newegg has the best prices. The T9300 is really popular, though it's a bit over $300.

They don't need a sticker to be broken to know if you messed around with the processor.

How else would they know? On this model, it would be very hard for them to tell if you replaced the CPU and then later stuck the old one back in (unless there was some minor explosion, and your CPU somehow didn't look like it had any damage). That's only going by physical looks, though. I'm assuming that, perhaps, Windows might keep a log of hardware changes.

Still, I doubt you have much to worry about...You shouldn't have any problems with the T9300 or similar. Or just wait until your warranty is up...the CPU will be fine until then.

 

[Vonkhan]

I got the same laptop over the weekend - it's a screamer

But yeh, I'm in no rush to upgrade - maybe later on in Q4 or when the prices go crazy low

 

[SniperWulf]

I bought one of these last week. I swapped T5550 out with the T7300 that was in my work laptop. I can definately feel the difference. Once i get a little extra cash saved up, I'm gonna check ebay for an X7800, X7900 or X9000. If I can't get one for a price I like, I'll prolly settle for a T9300 at newegg