Can you change cpu in laptop

Purchase a compatible processor. Shut down the computer. Remove the case and ground yourself. Remove the heat sink. Replace the current processor with the new one. Replace the heat sink and case. Power on the computer. Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great.

By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Understand how processors and motherboards work. Your computer's motherboard is essentially one large circuit board which provides the base into which you'll plug your computer's other components, including the processor.

Since processors' sizes and connectors vary depending on the model, you will need to ensure that your selected processor works with your current motherboard. Know your computer's limitations. While you can upgrade virtually all Windows desktop processors and motherboards, upgrading a laptop's processor is often impossible; even if your laptop model supports changing the processor, doing so is a tricky process that is more likely to harm your computer than help it.

Find your computer's motherboard model. While you can use Command Prompt to find your motherboard's basic information, using a free service called Speccy will allow you to see vital information about your motherboard e. Determine the type of processor socket used by your motherboard. If you're using Speccy to find your motherboard's information, you'll click the CPU tab and look at the "Package" heading to determine the socket.

You can click the Motherboard tab and then review the "Chipset" heading to see your processor's chipset, though the service you'll use to check processor compatibility usually determines this for you. If you decided not to use Speccy, you can enter your motherboard's name and model number, followed by "socket" and "chipset", into a search engine and search through the results.

Alternately, you can almost always find the socket type listed on the motherboard around the cpu socket. Find processors which match your motherboard. Click the Choose Socket drop-down box, then select your motherboard's socket number. Click the Choose Chipset drop-down box, then click chipset number usually, there is only one number here.

Find a new motherboard to match your processor if necessary. Click the Choose Processor Series drop-down box, then select your processor's name. Click the Choose Model drop-down box, then click your processor's model. Buy your processor. Now that you know which processors will work with your computer's motherboard, you can select the one best-suited to your price range, computational needs, and region.

Always shop around to find the best deal. You may be able to find the same processor for significantly less online than in a store. If you're buying a new motherboard as well, make sure you compare different website and store prices before ordering it. Part 2. Turn off and unplug your computer. Before you move or open up your computer, make sure that it is both turned off and unplugged from any power sources. Place your computer on its side. Doing so will give you access to the PC's side panel.

Remove the side panel. Some cases will require you to unscrew the side panel, while other cases only need you to unclamp or slide off the side panel.

Ground yourself. This will prevent accidental static electricity discharge. Since static can completely ruin sensitive computer components such as the motherboard, you'll want to make sure you remain grounded throughout the entire installation process. You can search the internet and find a 3 rd generation i7 processor that uses the same socket. You can also search on the website of the laptop manufacturer to see if there are variants of the same laptop with a i7 processor. In this case, a possible recommendation here would be to upgrade the 3rd gen COre iM with the the 3 rd generation quad-core Core iQM processor as they both use the same socket and are detachable.

Hence if your laptop does not have the adequate heat dissipation capacity than installing a Core i7 on a laptop with Core i5 originally can cause heat issues. You may need a BIOS update as well. Moreover, it may not support the heat dissipation of the upgraded CPU as mentioned earlier. You may also have to pay a large sum of money to get a Core i7 CPU all without a guarantee that it would work.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Author: Atif Qazi. Atif Qazi is the founder of PCGuide Remove the upper shell by taking the screws holding it out of the bottom of the PC. As you lift the shell off of the chassis, make certain that no part of it is still attached to the bottom of the case or to the motherboard. If it feels like you have to force it, that probably means either a screw is still in place or a clip remains to be unsnapped.

Before continuing, back off and double-check your service manual to discover any well-hidden screws that may have eluded you. On our laptop, the preceding steps gave us access to the graphics card assembly, which we removed by loosening two screws.

The CPU sits beneath that card. With the graphics card out of the way, we removed four more screws to get the heat sink off and to expose the CPU itself, held in its socket by a single locking screw. Turn the screw clockwise to lock it. Note: Some systems use a locking bar in place of a screw. Next you need to prepare the heat sink anew: Remove all of the old thermal compound silver-gray gunk by wiping the heat sink with 99 percent isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free rag.