How easy isit to upgrade the CPU in a lappy (M1330)

mike gunnz

mike gunnz

mike gunnz

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Yesterday I bought a Dell XPS M1330 off the MM which on further investigation seems rather underpowered, but no matter, Ive always wanted a M1330. I was thinking of putting in a beefier processor, it currently has a Core 2 Duo Mobile T5250 1.5GHz, 667 FSB.

I was thinking of something like a Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile CPU T7500, 800FSB

How straightforward is upgrading the cpu in an XPS laptop?
 
I would say it's reasonably difficult. If you're used to upgrading and building PCs, though, it should be possible. You can probably download the service manual from somewhere, which would help a bit.

Ginga
 
I would hazard a guess that the CPU is soldered to the motherboard - quite usually the case with laptops which will make it pretty hard to swap out.
 
I doubt the CPU is soldered to the motherboard, but it might as well be. It's far far too much hassle to worth bothering with. Taking a laptop apart is not a five minute job, nor is putting it back together.

Personally it's not a job I'd do unless I had to, you really need to be quite confident and finish the job in one session. Service manuals will help as previously suggested, you also need to check the laptop can take that particular CPU.
 
The cpu is not soldered to the mobo. The GPU is. The CPU can be swapped and the XPS is one off the "easier" laptops to swap a cpu out of. Take a look on the dell site for a service manual as im pretty sure in saying I have seen info on how to change the CPU (for the M1530 at least). Like Speed said though, you need to be pretty confident in doing it as its not the easiest thing in the world. Im am pretty sure that CPU is compatible, but check with the service manual.
 
With dells its usually a case of rip the strip above the keyboard out, might have two screws at the back but usually not, this will show you some keyboard screws on the top edge take these out, you almost might have two at the back, then take the keyboard out, 4 screws for the heatsink and heatpipe and then thats off, might be a CPU socket, older slimline dells have been soldered into the board but i've never had a M1330 apart before.

It could be even easier some dells have the cpu and heatsink accessed from the back of the computer via a hatch.

Why some people think working on laptops is harder than a desktop i'll never know, its easy!
 
does anyone know whether it'd be possible to upgrade the CPU in a Toshiba Satellite U205-S5034
 
PaulB said:
I would hazard a guess that the CPU is soldered to the motherboard - quite usually the case with laptops which will make it pretty hard to swap out.
Click to expand...

Never seen this and have taken hundreds of laptops appart, gpu's on the other hand are often welded down with great heat.

Either way be patient and you will be fine.
 
VinceB1 said:
Never seen this and have taken hundreds of laptops appart, gpu's on the other hand are often welded down with great heat.

Either way be patient and you will be fine.
Click to expand...

Off the top of my head the Dell D400 a X300 & X1 so any slimline dell also several of the newer (last gen) slimline latitudes have soldered cpus onto the mainboard, fitting a socket and chip takes up too much space in such a small package :)
 
Firestar_3x said:
Off the top of my head the Dell D400 a X300 & X1 so any slimline dell also several of the newer (last gen) slimline latitudes have soldered cpus onto the mainboard, fitting a socket and chip takes up too much space in such a small package :)
Click to expand...

Nice one, I never would have thought... Ill avoid them like the plague now then... Have always avoided dell anyway.
 
Can be done, however when taking laptops apart be very patiant and very careful, it doesnt take a lot to snap or break a part inside meaning you might need to replace it, and if your buying a replacement part from a laptop part supplier they always try to sting you!
 
Fantastic, thanks for the replies. I've built several desktops now so confidence aint an issue, can't afford to balls this one up though so will be taking my time.
 
Without wishing to state the obvious, make sure you back everything up, just in case. I once swapped out the GPU on a 17" Dell. Difficult but manageable.


Ginga
 
I've taken several laptops apart and sucessfully put them back together without too much difficulty. A key thing that helps is to have several small pots to put screws in and label them with the part you took the screws out of (most laptops use more than one type of screw). This is more important when you don't have any manuals. Also take any easily detachable parts out first such as the RAM door, optical drive, hard drive, memory, wifi card etc. This makes your job a lot easier.
 
Also make sure you have the latest BIOS upgrade before swapping out the cpu. You dont want to have to shove the old one back in just to flash so it will work with the new :p
 
Yup all good advice above, take your time, latest BIOS, back up - and also, most laptops do have socketed cpu's, but the gpu's are usually soldered.....netbooks however with Atoms are impossible to get a look at! Got a Fujitsu here, 4 screws, panel off, memory slots are there, with a mini-pci slot for wireless and the heatsink is under 4 more screws. It's dead easy, easiest I've come across...
 
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