{"id":20910,"date":"2022-11-30T18:56:52","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T17:56:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/g100.us\/?p=20910"},"modified":"2023-05-05T16:08:58","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T14:08:58","slug":"upgrade-laptop-processor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Upgrade Your Laptop's Processor? If So, How?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_39 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-668450d1b67f1\" class=\"cssicon\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #7f11e0;color:#7f11e0\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #7f11e0;color:#7f11e0\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-668450d1b67f1\" class=\"cssiconcheckbox\">1<\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-668450d1b67f1\" checked><nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 \"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#Can_You_Upgrade_Your_Laptops_Processor\" title=\"Can You Upgrade Your Laptop\u2019s Processor?\">Can You Upgrade Your Laptop\u2019s Processor?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#Steps_To_Upgrade_Your_Laptops_Processor\" title=\"Steps To Upgrade Your Laptop\u2019s Processor\">Steps To Upgrade Your Laptop\u2019s Processor<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#1_Go_Over_Its_Spec_Sheet_and_Do_Some_Research\" title=\"#1 Go Over Its Spec Sheet and Do Some Research\">#1 Go Over Its Spec Sheet and Do Some Research<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#2_Make_sure_your_new_processor_and_the_motherboard_socket_are_compatible\" title=\"#2 Make sure your new processor and the motherboard socket are compatible\">#2 Make sure your new processor and the motherboard socket are compatible<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#3_Ensure_your_laptop_can_handle_a_more_powerful_processor\" title=\"#3 Ensure your laptop can handle a more powerful processor\">#3 Ensure your laptop can handle a more powerful processor<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#4_Dismantle_your_laptop_and_change_the_processor\" title=\"#4 Dismantle your laptop and change the processor\">#4 Dismantle your laptop and change the processor<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#How_To_Upgrade_a_BGA-based_Laptop_Processor\" title=\"How To Upgrade a BGA-based Laptop Processor?\">How To Upgrade a BGA-based Laptop Processor?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#Pros_and_Cons_of_Upgrading_Your_Laptops_Processor\" title=\"Pros and Cons of Upgrading Your Laptop\u2019s Processor\">Pros and Cons of Upgrading Your Laptop\u2019s Processor<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#Pros\" title=\"Pros:\">Pros:<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#Cons\" title=\"Cons:\">Cons:<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#Bottom_Line\" title=\"Bottom Line\">Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#FAQ\" title=\"FAQ\">FAQ<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#How_much_does_it_cost_to_upgrade_a_processor\" title=\"How much does it cost to upgrade a processor?\">How much does it cost to upgrade a processor?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#Can_I_upgrade_my_laptop_processor_from_i5_to_i7\" title=\"Can I upgrade my laptop processor from i5 to i7?\">Can I upgrade my laptop processor from i5 to i7?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#Can_I_upgrade_my_laptops_processor_myself\" title=\"Can I upgrade my laptop\u2019s processor myself?\">Can I upgrade my laptop\u2019s processor myself?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/upgrade-laptop-processor\/#Over_To_You\" title=\"Over To You\">Over To You<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>We have brains; computers have processors. Just like our brains, the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Central_processing_unit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CPU<\/a> performs calculations, processes data, and gives instructions to your computer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The more powerful the processor, the faster your computer will perform. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sooner or later, though, you <em>will<\/em> have to upgrade it, and the same holds true for any other component as well.<\/p>\n<p>If you have a desktop PC <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/should-you-upgrade-cpu\/\">then it\u2019s a pretty straightforward affair<\/a>; <strong>its CPU is essentially a separate component, one that can be swapped out within just a couple of minutes. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Laptops, on the other hand, are a completely different beast as their CPUs are <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><em>soldered<\/em><\/strong><\/span> onto the motherboard.<\/p>\n<p><em>Can they be upgraded?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>For most of us, the answer will be a resounding: No.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For the tinkerers among us, though, that don't shy away from digging deep into the electronics of a Laptop, it <em>may<\/em> be viable.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s take a closer look:<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_You_Upgrade_Your_Laptops_Processor\"><\/span><strong>Can You Upgrade Your Laptop\u2019s Processor?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In most laptops, the processor is soldered onto the motherboard, which means that upgrading it simply isn\u2019t possible \u2014<strong> or is, at the very least, an exceedingly complicated endeavor, one that is by no means worth embarking on.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20919\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20919\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20919\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-CPUs-Soldered-on-motherboard.jpg\" alt=\"Laptop CPUs Soldered on motherboard\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-CPUs-Soldered-on-motherboard.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-CPUs-Soldered-on-motherboard-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-CPUs-Soldered-on-motherboard-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-CPUs-Soldered-on-motherboard-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-CPUs-Soldered-on-motherboard-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20919\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20919 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Laptop CPUs Soldered on motherboard\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-CPUs-Soldered-on-motherboard.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-CPUs-Soldered-on-motherboard-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-CPUs-Soldered-on-motherboard-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-CPUs-Soldered-on-motherboard-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-CPUs-Soldered-on-motherboard-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-CPUs-Soldered-on-motherboard.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-20919\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dell.com\/en-us\/shop\/dell-laptops\/alienware-x17-r2-gaming-laptop\/spd\/alienware-x17-r2-laptop\/wnr2x17fpcks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dell<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>Most modern laptops have a very high level of component integration to have a sleek design. That\u2019s the price of modernity.<\/p>\n<p>Do laptops with easily swappable processors exist? Yes, they do, but they\u2019re nonetheless extremely hard to find. And even if you <em>do <\/em>find them, they will most likely be very expensive.<\/p>\n<p>So, what can you do if you want to upgrade your laptop\u2019s processor?<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Steps_To_Upgrade_Your_Laptops_Processor\"><\/span><strong>Steps To Upgrade Your Laptop\u2019s Processor<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To check whether such an upgrade is possible with your specific Laptop, do the following:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Go_Over_Its_Spec_Sheet_and_Do_Some_Research\"><\/span><strong>#1 Go Over Its Spec Sheet and Do Some Research<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This will tell you whether your laptop has a replaceable CPU.<\/p>\n<p>If it does, you must ensure that the new processor is compatible with your motherboard\u2019s CPU socket.<\/p>\n<p>To check your processor details, go to <strong>Start <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>System Information<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>System Summary<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Look for the <strong>Processor <\/strong>row on the right-hand side.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-border alignnone wp-image-20911\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/system-summary.jpeg\" alt=\"System Summary\" width=\"1578\" height=\"920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/system-summary.jpeg 1578w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/system-summary-300x175.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/system-summary-1024x597.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/system-summary-768x448.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/system-summary-1536x896.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1578px) 100vw, 1578px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-border alignnone wp-image-20911 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201578%20920%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"System Summary\" width=\"1578\" height=\"920\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201578%20920%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1578w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1578px) 100vw, 1578px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/system-summary.jpeg 1578w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/system-summary-300x175.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/system-summary-1024x597.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/system-summary-768x448.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/system-summary-1536x896.jpeg 1536w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/system-summary.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<p>Now go to Google, search your processor\u2019s name, and head on over to the manufacturer\u2019s website.<\/p>\n<p>Here, look for <strong>Package Specifications<\/strong> \u2014 that page will contain all the necessary information.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-border alignnone wp-image-20912\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-package-specifications.jpeg\" alt=\"Processor's Package Specifications\" width=\"812\" height=\"322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-package-specifications.jpeg 812w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-package-specifications-300x119.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-package-specifications-768x305.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 812px) 100vw, 812px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-border alignnone wp-image-20912 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20812%20322%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Processor's Package Specifications\" width=\"812\" height=\"322\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20812%20322%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 812w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 812px) 100vw, 812px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-package-specifications.jpeg 812w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-package-specifications-300x119.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-package-specifications-768x305.jpeg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-package-specifications.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<p>Here, the socket supported is FC<strong>BGA<\/strong>1449.<\/p>\n<p>The letters BGA indicate the type of CPU surface mounting technique. Surface mounting refers to how chips are placed and connected on top of a board \u2013 in this case, the motherboard.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, the surface mounting type will also tell you whether the processor chip is detachable from the motherboard.<\/p>\n<p>There are three <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/lga-vs-pga\/\">types of surface mounting techniques<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Land Grid Array (LGA)<\/strong>. This type of surface mounting is most commonly found in Intel desktop CPUs. It means the chip is <strong>detachable <\/strong>from the motherboard.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pin Grid Array (PGA)<\/strong>. This one is usually found in AMD desktop CPUs. It is also <strong>detachable<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ball Grid Array (BGA)<\/strong>. Laptop processors usually have this type of surface mounting. These CPUs are soldered onto the motherboard, meaning they are <strong>NOT detachable<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As you can see in the screenshot, the type of surface mounting available for my laptop\u2019s processor is the BGA type, which means the current processor is more or less final.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Technically, you <em>can<\/em> upgrade a BGA-based processor. This, however, is extremely difficult even with a godlike level of soldering expertise and all the necessary equipment for the job.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In contrast, here\u2019s the spec sheet of the Intel Core i5-3210M processor.<\/p>\n<p>This one has a PGA surface mounting type, which means it <em>can <\/em>be upgraded.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-border alignnone wp-image-20913\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/intel-core-i5-3210m-specifications.jpeg\" alt=\"Intel Core i5-3210M Specifications\" width=\"1058\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/intel-core-i5-3210m-specifications.jpeg 1058w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/intel-core-i5-3210m-specifications-300x102.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/intel-core-i5-3210m-specifications-1024x347.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/intel-core-i5-3210m-specifications-768x261.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1058px) 100vw, 1058px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-border alignnone wp-image-20913 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201058%20359%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Intel Core i5-3210M Specifications\" width=\"1058\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201058%20359%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1058w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1058px) 100vw, 1058px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/intel-core-i5-3210m-specifications.jpeg 1058w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/intel-core-i5-3210m-specifications-300x102.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/intel-core-i5-3210m-specifications-1024x347.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/intel-core-i5-3210m-specifications-768x261.jpeg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/intel-core-i5-3210m-specifications.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<p>So, let\u2019s say your laptop CPU has a PGA or an LGA surface mounting type. Here\u2019s what you do next.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Make_sure_your_new_processor_and_the_motherboard_socket_are_compatible\"><\/span><strong>#2 Make sure your new processor and the motherboard socket are compatible<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Suppose you are upgrading from an Intel Core-i5 to an Intel Core-i7.<\/p>\n<p>You will need to take note of the socket type and make sure the CPU you\u2019re looking to upgrade to is actually compatible.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Ensure_your_laptop_can_handle_a_more_powerful_processor\"><\/span><strong>#3 Ensure your laptop can handle a more powerful processor<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A more powerful processor brings with it certain changes that will affect your laptop in a myriad of different ways. So, you will need to check whether your device will be able to <em>handle<\/em> these changes \u2014 and all that they entail.<\/p>\n<p>For example, you\u2019ll need to check the Thermal Design Power (TDP) of the processor you want to upgrade to. <strong>This is of paramount importance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20920\" style=\"width: 1902px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20920\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-border wp-image-20920 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-Cooing-Solution.jpg\" alt=\"Laptop Cooing Solution\" width=\"1902\" height=\"836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-Cooing-Solution.jpg 1902w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-Cooing-Solution-300x132.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-Cooing-Solution-1024x450.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-Cooing-Solution-768x338.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-Cooing-Solution-1536x675.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1902px) 100vw, 1902px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20920\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-border wp-image-20920 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201902%20836%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Laptop Cooing Solution\" width=\"1902\" height=\"836\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201902%20836%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1902w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1902px) 100vw, 1902px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-Cooing-Solution.jpg 1902w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-Cooing-Solution-300x132.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-Cooing-Solution-1024x450.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-Cooing-Solution-768x338.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-Cooing-Solution-1536x675.jpg 1536w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Laptop-Cooing-Solution.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-20920\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dell.com\/en-us\/shop\/dell-laptops\/alienware-x14-gaming-laptop\/spd\/alienware-x14-r1-laptop#carousel-example-with-caption\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dell<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>Its TDP is directly tied to both its <strong>power consumption<\/strong> but also the <strong>amount of heat<\/strong> it can generate under general usage.<\/p>\n<p>Analyzing a processor\u2019s TDP is a good way of determining <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/how-to-check-pc-power-consumption\/\">how much power<\/a> it would consume and how much cooling is required to <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/what-are-good-idle-cpu-temps\/\">keep it from overheating<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-border alignnone wp-image-20914\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-tdp.jpeg\" alt=\"Processor's TDP\" width=\"986\" height=\"571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-tdp.jpeg 986w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-tdp-300x174.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-tdp-768x445.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-border alignnone wp-image-20914 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20986%20571%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Processor's TDP\" width=\"986\" height=\"571\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20986%20571%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 986w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-tdp.jpeg 986w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-tdp-300x174.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-tdp-768x445.jpeg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/processors-tdp.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Do not try to install a processor that has a higher TDP than what your laptop can handle (or is currently running on), as that could cause some <em>very<\/em> serious <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/how-to-cool-down-your-laptop\/\"><strong>heating issues<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you are having trouble choosing a processor, you can check out our in-depth guide at the <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/laptop-processors-list-order-of-performance\/\">following link<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>If everything looks good, head on over to the next step!<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Dismantle_your_laptop_and_change_the_processor\"><\/span><strong>#4 Dismantle your laptop and change the processor<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You will now have to disassemble your laptop and actually swap out the CPU.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20921\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20921\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20921\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Dismantling-Laptop.jpg\" alt=\"Dismantling Laptop\" width=\"1500\" height=\"767\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Dismantling-Laptop.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Dismantling-Laptop-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Dismantling-Laptop-1024x524.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Dismantling-Laptop-768x393.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20921\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20921 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201500%20767%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Dismantling Laptop\" width=\"1500\" height=\"767\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201500%20767%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Dismantling-Laptop.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Dismantling-Laptop-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Dismantling-Laptop-1024x524.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Dismantling-Laptop-768x393.jpg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/11\/Dismantling-Laptop.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-20921\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.razer.com\/gaming-laptops\/razer-blade\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Razer<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>This process requires a fair bit of technical expertise so, unless you\u2019re especially tech-savvy, seek out a trained professional.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Changing your processor <em>will<\/em> void your warranty.<\/p>\n<p>Before you begin, ensure you have all the required tools and materials, such as a magnetic screwdriver, <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/the-best-thermal-paste-for-your-needs-beginners-guide\/\">thermal paste<\/a>, tweezers, microfiber cloth, and isopropyl alcohol, along with a can of compressed air.<\/p>\n<p>You can access most (if not all) of your laptop\u2019s components by removing its back panel.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019re in, disconnect\/remove the battery, fan, and heat sink. Clean the dried-up thermal paste under the said heat sink.<\/p>\n<p>The next step is to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=v4Q-3-leDhQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">remove the old processor and replace it with the new one<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>You must exercise a lot of caution while doing this. Once the new processor is in place, re-assemble your laptop by reversing your actions. Voila! Your processor has been upgraded!<\/p>\n<p>This method only works for LGA- and PGA-based processors. Does that mean a BGA-based laptop processor cannot be updated at all?<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_To_Upgrade_a_BGA-based_Laptop_Processor\"><\/span><strong>How To Upgrade a BGA-based Laptop Processor?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To upgrade a BGA-based processor, you\u2019ll need to do one of two things:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Upgrade your motherboard <em>along<\/em> with your processor or<\/li>\n<li>Buy a new laptop with an updated processor<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>You can choose the best option based on your needs and budget! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros_and_Cons_of_Upgrading_Your_Laptops_Processor\"><\/span><strong>Pros and Cons of Upgrading Your Laptop\u2019s Processor<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Updating your laptop\u2019s processor has many different benefits but also a few notable disadvantages.<\/p>\n<p>You should be aware of <em>both<\/em> to make an informed decision.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros\"><\/span><strong>Pros:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>An upgraded processor will enhance your laptop\u2019s performance. This is <em>especially<\/em> useful if you\u2019re running demanding workloads<\/li>\n<li>It can add years to your laptop\u2019s life by simply increasing its performance headroom<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cons\"><\/span><strong>Cons:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The process itself is <em>very<\/em> tricky and requires a fair bit of technical knowledge and expertise<\/li>\n<li>There is no guarantee that your new processor will work all that well (or work at all, for that matter). In other words: you could also cause irreparable damage<\/li>\n<li>Embarking on this journey means that you\u2019ll void your laptop\u2019s warranty<\/li>\n<li>You may need to update your BIOS as well<\/li>\n<li>It may cause overheating issues since the TDP of the newer processor will most likely be higher than the old one. This might cause <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/thermal-throttling-guide\/\">thermal throttling<\/a> at best or damage to the CPU and Laptop at worst<\/li>\n<li>A processor with a higher TDP will negatively affect your battery life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bottom_Line\"><\/span><strong>Bottom Line<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When it comes to upgrading your laptop\u2019s processor, the cons far outweigh the pros \u2014 assuming this upgrade can be performed at all.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You will essentially be spending time and money on something that may not even work.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>So, before you do anything you might regret, ask yourself the following question: <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/should-you-upgrade-cpu\/\">does your CPU need upgrading<\/a>? Simply buying a better laptop is much more advisable.<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, you can also increase your laptop\u2019s processing power through <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/external-cpu-for-laptops\/\">alternative methods<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span><strong>FAQ<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_does_it_cost_to_upgrade_a_processor\"><\/span><strong>How much does it cost to upgrade a processor?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you are upgrading your processor, it makes sense to assume that you would want the latest ones.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Most high-end processors can cost anywhere between $200 to $1000<\/strong>. They accelerate your computer\u2019s performance in every way, shape, and form.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_upgrade_my_laptop_processor_from_i5_to_i7\"><\/span><strong>Can I upgrade my laptop processor from i5 to i7?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Technically, yes, but only if several conditions are met.<\/p>\n<p>First, your processor must not be soldered (permanently attached) to the motherboard.<\/p>\n<p>Second, the new processor must be compatible with your motherboard socket.<\/p>\n<p>Third, your laptop must have a sufficiently capable cooling solution so as to handle an increased TDP.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_upgrade_my_laptops_processor_myself\"><\/span><strong>Can I upgrade my laptop\u2019s processor myself?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Upgrading a laptop\u2019s CPU is a very tricky process and requires ample expertise.<\/p>\n<p>So, unless you\u2019re especially tech-savvy, make sure to reach out to a trained professional \u2014 lest you end up causing irreparable damage.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Over_To_You\"><\/span><strong>Over To You<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em><strong>Upgrading your laptop\u2019s processor is both exceedingly complicated and mighty inadvisable \u2014 assuming it\u2019s even possible. In case you need more processing power, you should definitely consider buying a new laptop altogether.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>If you have any questions, sound off in either the <a href=\"#comments\">comment<\/a> section down below or on <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/forum\/\">our forum<\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We have brains; computers have processors. Just like our brains, the CPU performs calculations, processes data, and gives instructions to your computer. The more powerful the processor, the faster your computer will perform. Sooner or later, though, you will have to upgrade it, and the same holds true for any other component as well. If...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2343,"featured_media":20915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[173],"tags":[147,117,272],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20910"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2343"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20910"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20929,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20910\/revisions\/20929"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}