How to tell what CPU upgrade will be compatible?

[Chrisbit]

Hi,

After looking around a ton I'm still stuck on this one question. How can I tell which CPUs will be the same number of pins or same type/size/shape as my current i3-2328M? I'm hoping to upgrade to an i7 if possible.

It's an Acer V3-571-6447 and before you go saying "you can't replace a laptop CPU as it's soldered on" it's not. That was consistently the only answer I found over and over again which is obviously wrong since I already have the i3-2328M in my hand.

What else do I need to look into to know what can be upgraded to?

Thanks!

 

[getochkn]

Processors
Intel Core i7 Dual-Core "Sandy Bridge" (32 nm)
i7-2620M, i7-2640M
Intel Core i7 Quad-Core "Sandy Bridge" (32 nm)
i7-2960XM, i7-2920XM, i7-2860QM, i7-2820QM, i7-2760QM, i7-2720QM, i7-2710QE, i7-2670QM, i7-2630QM
Intel Core i7 Dual-Core "Ivy Bridge" (22 nm)
i7-3520M, i7-3540M,
Intel Core i7 Quad-Core "Ivy Bridge" (22 nm)
i7 3610QM, I7 3630QM, i7-3940XM, i7-3920XM
Intel Core i5 Dual-Core "Sandy Bridge"
i5-2540M, i5-2520M, i5-2510E, i5-2450M, i5-2435M, i5-2430M, i5-2410M
Intel Core i3 Dual-Core "Sandy Bridge"
i3-2370M, i3-2350M, i3-2348M, i3-2330M, i3-2330E, i3-2328M, i3-2312M, i3-2310M
Intel Celeron "Sandy Bridge"
B800 Pentium B960-B980,2020m-2030m, 1005

Those are socket compatible meaning they would technically fit in the socket.

The problem is the Acer BIOS and if it's been made compatible to support any of those chips. Laptop's are famous for only allowing a small number of chips to be used.

For example if that laptop was available with 5 different CPU's at purchase, those 5 cpus' would more than likely be the only ones available to upgrade too.

 

[Chrisbit]

Thanks a lot! Now how did you find out what type of socket mine is and that those are compatible? I'd rather be able to just figure it out for myself rather than have to ask if this kind of thing ever came up again.

I'm finding it hard to figure out which ones will work with the BIOS because there are some other models that are V3-571G that every time I google V3-571 most of the answers are for the "G" version. It makes it very confusing! Hopefully when I jump in and buy another CPU it's the right one and I don't get stuck with some useless CPU!

Looks like I found an i5-2450M that'll work but I'm really hoping for an i7...

http://www.ncix.com/detail/acer-v3-571-6443-intel-i5-3210m-a1-84494.htm

I think we have a winner: Core i7 3632QM
https://www.cnet.com/products/acer-aspire-v3-571-9646-15-6-core-i7-3632qm-8-gb-ram-1-tb-hdd/

 

[getochkn]

If that laptop never came with that I7 chip it probably won't work.

I googled the chip name, highligh and right click, that brought me to intels site, found the socket in, highlight, right click, google search, brought me to a wikipedia article about that socket and listed all the CPU's.


Really though you need to see what options were available for that laptop when it was sold, and those will probably be your CPU choice. They hardcode the BIOS for only the CPU's thjey offer.

 

[Chrisbit]

I found 3 models of v3-571 (not G) that came with different chips. i7-3632qm, i5-3210M and i5-2450M.

When we say model are we talking the exact V3-571-6447 model? If we are, it's only this exact laptop with these exact specs.

Side question: when comparing these CPUs I noticed that some support for ram than others BUT I'm assuming that I'm still constricted to 8GB of RAM either way because that's all my motherboard can handle, right?

If V3-571G would technically be the same model (which it's not... It just is different looking, different all around. The G makes a big difference but idk what the innards look like or if the BIOS would work out in my favour) then it would open me up to even more options.

Right now the i5-3210M actually looks like my best option for what I'll be using the laptop for assuming it's something I can use of course. I'll have to see if it's also the same socket type.