Laptop - Stripping out and updating with new components?

BennyC · 13 Nov 2009 at 15:41

Hi guys,

I have a Sony Vaio C-series laptop (VGN-C2Z).

Whilst it's serving me perfectly well I feel it could do with an update.

Aesthetically I really like this laptop so am wondering if I can just strip out the old Motherboard, CPU, RAM and graphics (if it isn't intergrated) and replace it with better parts.

What are my limitations? Obviously size as it's a 13" laptop, and the power supply, which it's usually always plugged into the mains.

I recentley upgraded the HDD.

I guess I was just trying to figure out if I could replace the CPU, Mobo, RAM, GFX and maybe a blu-ray drive, if it would all fit and be cheaper than replacing the entire laptop itself.

Thanks in advance,

BennyC

beermonster · 13 Nov 2009 at 17:12

You can replace the cpu with a compatible faster one, more memory, and posibily a blue ray, not sure if the graphics hardware has to be compatible for playback though.

The motherboard cannot be replaced as its specific to this model and the graphics are intergrated on this so these will have to remain.

alex24 · 13 Nov 2009 at 17:17

Just not worth it. You'd be spending a fair amount of dough anyway, and you could run into a multitude of problems with no warranty either.

My suggested alternative is this:

Sell current laptop for small fortune on an auction site (laptop prices on there are high!)
Use that cash and what you were going to spend on upgrades on a new machine. I strongly recommend a desktop unless it needs to be frequently moved around or you're very space limited. There are plenty of new laptops out there we can recommend for you if you give a rough budget.

BennyC · 13 Nov 2009 at 21:57

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm not looking to do anything short term although just wanted to see if there were cheaper options other than buying a whole new unit.

I already have a desktop rig at home, currently at University.

It was more curiosity than anything else.

Thanks for the help.

Hades · 15 Nov 2009 at 01:53

You can actually buy a basic chassis and add the components you want to them. But usually it's not economically viable and a mobo upgrade is usually out of the question.