Can I upgrade my Intel i5 laptop, into a 4k video movie editing laptop?

[Scotty_Cartner]

Hi Guys!
I currently have a Lenovo Z580 ideapad with 8GB HDD Ram, Intel(R) HD Graphics4000, i5 3210M 2 Core & 4 Logical Processor.
The laptop itself is pretty good for everyday function, but I want to use it to potentially edit 4k videos. At the moment, as you can imagaine, it can't really cope with 1080p 60fps video so I'd like to upgrade.
Unfortunately, I can't afford to pay much higher than £850 for a new laptop so I was hoping I might be able to upgrade my current one.

Is it possible to install an Intel i7 processor, an nVidia GeForce GTX960M graphics card and a new SDD hard drive into my current computer? There is extra space for more RAM so I'm hoping to install that too, or is it best just to buy a new laptop all together?

Thank you in advance for your help. 😀

 

[ComputerSecurityGuy]

You should be able to upgrade to a 35W Ivy Bridge i7, add more RAM and an SSD. But I don't think you can upgrade the GPU.

 

[DanielSpaending]

Unless you are really confident in what you are doing, I dont think it is advisable to change the CPU yourself. I looked into it a few years ago, and decided it is more hassle than what its worth. First of all it is really hard to find a laptop CPU, as they are not sold at retail. Secondly just getting to the CPU, was really problematic as it was hidden under copper cooling pipes I would have to bend in order to get to the CPU. Finally it is not really certain that yor laptop mobo will support the new CPU, without some degree of tinkering. SSD and Ram shouldn't really be a problem though, you might want to open the laptop and see what kind of connections you got.

If you really want to upgrade, you should probably just buy a new one... You could look around for a used laptop, as the new 10-series gpu's are starting to hit scene, and some people might be interested in selling their old pc, so they can afford a upgrade 🙂

 

[azaran]

If you're bending the copper heat pipe you're doing it very, very wrong.

The service manual for the laptop can be found here. Look through it and see if its in you're range of abilities. The process isn't particularly difficult compared to many other laptops, but by doing it you do risk damaging it.
https://download.lenovo.com/consumer/mobiles_pub/ideapad_z380_z480_z485_z580_z585_hmm_1st_edition_feb_2012_english.pdf

Page 86 lists the CPU's that were options for the model, and page 65 goes in to the removale of the CPU. I'd also watch some how to videos on youtube on the break down of the laptop.

It looks like you can fit a i7-3612QM cpu in to that laptop, Which is a true quad core CPU. You'll just have to find one first. You won't find one new, but you can find them used at around $250 US. Also make sure to pick up new thermal pads or compound for when you replace the CPU. Luckily the CPU is the same thermal wattage as the i5, so you shouldn't have any cooling issues. Provided you do everything right


As for your graphics, that laptop uses the integrated graphics on the CPU. Upgrading to a new CPU isn't going to give you better graphics in this case.

For the RAM, everything I've seen has said 8GB is your max. So I think you're stuck there.

HDD, you can pop a SSD in to that without a problem. It'll help with loading times and would provide a bit of snap to the programs.

All that said, upgrading it will only do so much for what you want to do. You would likely be better off putting that money towards a better laptop that can handle 4k editing better.