Laptop CPU Replacment

[nbe412]

Can anyone tell me if I can put an i7-2620m into this Asus board: x401a (revision 2). If not, what is the best processor that could go into this board.

Thanks!

Marc

 

[James Mason]

laptop CPUs are generally not replaceable.

 

[nbe412]

laptop CPUs are generally not replaceable.

This motherboard has a removable CPU. I just need to know about compatibility.

 

[jaslion]

laptop CPUs are generally not replaceable.

This motherboard has a removable CPU. I just need to know about compatibility.

The laptop this board is in probably can't cool it good enough. It looks like one of those cheaper laptops and I can't find a version that came with an i7 so I would suggest you not to do it.

 

[dudeman509]

Bah.

The Pentium is a 35W TDP CPU; the i7 you referenced is a 2-core 35W CPU. It'll work, and it'll probably cool just fine. Get some good thermal paste. and clean out the fan/heat sink while you're in there.

Go for it. It's worked on every Nehalem/SB/Ivy Bridge laptop I've done it on.
Check for any BIOS updates before you do. Sandy -> Ivy is a bit more of a wildcard, but Sandy -> higher Sandy just about always works.

The laptop I'm typing on right now actually started life as a SB Pentium, and now runs a 4-core i7-2670QM (it has a fairly beefy heat sink).

 

[NerlandiaGaming]

I also have an asus x401a with a pentium b970, I saw that one model had a i3 and I'm wondering if my model supports an i3

 

[dontlistentome]

The 'specifications' page lists Celeron/Pentium/i3 as options. So, assuming you have updated the bios to whatever the latest version is, you should be able to pop an i3 of that generation in there. Of course you need to be handy with tools and able to do this without screwing up. Also, I'd mind power use and temperature rating. If you have a 25W Celeron but want to install a 35W i3, that's going to impact battery life and you might need an upgraded heatsink.