Laptop CPU Upgrade

razorback09 · 23 Jun 2012 at 16:12

So I have been thinking about upgrading my CPU in my laptop. My laptop at the moment is a Samsung P580, currently running an i3-330m @ 2.13ghz. I'm thinking of replacing it for something much more powerful such an i5-580m @ 2.66ghz. The TDP is the same an so is the socket type.

Is there anything else I should take into consideration when buying the new CPU?

Thanks in advanced

AtreuS · 23 Jun 2012 at 19:36

First question is the cooling system... can it cope? of that chassis has multiple cpus it comes with then maybe it can.

Have you already stripped it down to ensure the cpu is actually socketed and soldered on! some can be.

reflux · 23 Jun 2012 at 19:40

Yeah I would check to see which CPUs that laptop came with and do some digging to make sure the cooling system can cope. Also check if your PSU will handle it too. Some models come with different PSUs depending on how much power the parts use.

razorback09 · 23 Jun 2012 at 19:41

AtreuS said:
First question is the cooling system... can it cope? of that chassis has multiple cpus it comes with then maybe it can.

Have you already stripped it down to ensure the cpu is actually socketed and soldered on! some can be.

Yeah i've stripped it down for cleaning and its in a socket.

Doing my research it seemed the laptop had 2 options when new, i3-300 or i5-460m. Just wondering if its safe to go any higher. Laptop atm doesn't really get that hot, even under load, think CPU hovers around 65-70c on load but then again it's mostly on a cooling pad too.

AtreuS · 23 Jun 2012 at 20:01

I think it would probably work fine then. Assuming the BIOS will take the chip of course, might need a microcode update and if they have not made one......

Meaker · 23 Jun 2012 at 20:04

If your model shipped with it and you are not moving up in the number of cores you are good to go.

No model has ridden tolerances so close they had to switch PSU to a higher model for a higher clocked same core part.

You only get that moving to quad cores.

Also I3s tend to be leaky chips so you could end up with lower idle temps and still close if not better load temps.