CPU upgrade on Dell Inspiron 17R 7720 SE

[Deleted member 2579981]

Hi folks,

I've been looking to upgrade the CPU in my laptop which is between 5-6 years old at this point. I am looking to get into some more video editing and I think an improved processor could be of benefit to me.

I currently have a Dell Inspiron 17R 7720 SE Laptop.

The processor is: Intel® Core™ i7-3630QM

Motherboard details are as follows:

Manufacturer: Dell Inc.

Product: 04M3YM

Serial Number: .8KY9DT1.CN486432650638.

Version: A00

Current Bios:

A17

The processors that I am hoping to replace my current one with are:

Intel® Core™ i7-3840QM
or
Intel® Core™ i7-3940XM

Both of these processors use the same sockets and chipsets as my current one however, but have more power and a higher cache. The i7-3940XM uses slightly more power at 55W instead of 45W,

I'm having a hard time determining if either of these chips will play nicely with my motherboard and BIOS. (I think they might as they share the same chipset and sockets), but am not 100% certain.

Hoping someone can help me out and provide some good insight.

Thanks!

 

[clarkjd]

Hi folks,

I've been looking to upgrade the CPU in my laptop which is between 5-6 years old at this point. I am looking to get into some more video editing and I think an improved processor could be of benefit to me.

I currently have a Dell Inspiron 17R 7720 SE Laptop.

The processor is: Intel® Core™ i7-3630QM

Motherboard details are as follows:

Manufacturer: Dell Inc.

Product: 04M3YM

Serial Number: .8KY9DT1.CN486432650638.

Version: A00

Current Bios:

A17

The processors that I am hoping to replace my current one with are:

Intel® Core™ i7-3840QM
or
Intel® Core™ i7-3940XM

Both of these processors use the same sockets and chipsets as my current one however, but have more power and a higher cache. The i7-3940XM uses slightly more power at 55W instead of 45W,

I'm having a hard time determining if either of these chips will play nicely with my motherboard and BIOS. (I think they might as they share the same chipset and sockets), but am not 100% certain.

Hoping someone can help me out and provide some good insight.

Thanks!

As the battery life of that model is not the greatest, I would hesitate upgrading to a higher power CPU(Even if you could.!). BIOS compatibility is questionable. Just because the are the same chipset and socket doesn't mean that the BIOS will support both. All these points are moot if the CPU is soldered in.
EDIT: According to the user manual, the CPU is removable.
The big problem I see is the higher power CPU would require more cooling.

 

[Deleted member 2579981]

Thanks Clark,

Battery life is certainly not great on this model but for video editing work I'd be leaving it plugged in anyways. Heat is certainly a concern but I'm sure using a top of the line ceramic based thermal paste on the CPU/GPU would help dissipate some of that extra heat. Not willing to go into liquid metal territory and risk destroying my whole PC lol.

Do you have any insight on how I could check CPU compatibility with the BIOS I'm running? I've done a couple hours of searching but really haven't had any luck with that aspect.

Thanks

 

[clarkjd]

Thanks Clark,

Battery life is certainly not great on this model but for video editing work I'd be leaving it plugged in anyways. Heat is certainly a concern but I'm sure using a top of the line ceramic based thermal paste on the CPU/GPU would help dissipate some of that extra heat. Not willing to go into liquid metal territory and risk destroying my whole PC lol.

Do you have any insight on how I could check CPU compatibility with the BIOS I'm running? I've done a couple hours of searching but really haven't had any luck with that aspect.

Thanks

Just upgrading the thermal paste really won't help the cooling issue. The difference between thermal pastes range to a max of 1 or 2 degrees, while new CPU will put out almost 25% more heat than the original CPU. The problem is the stock heatsink was sized to disappate 45 watts of heat. The new CPU puts out 10 extra watts that really have nowhere to go. You might have to get an active cooling mat(actually blows extra air across the heatsinks).
If you know which BIOS you are running, you could ask Dell if it was compatible.