Upgrading Lenovo CPU

[Nicholas_8]

Hello, I was wondering if I could upgrade the CPU in my Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E540. I did some searching around with not much luck, but I was able to conclude that other laptops of the same model come with i7's. I have right now, i have a i5 @ 2.50Ghz. I know that what ever I can (if able to) upgrade to wont make a significant difference. DO NOT BOTHER TELLING ME IT IS NOT WORTH IT. I just would like to now if I can make the jump from the i5 to i7. I opened the bottom pannel and i have extremely easy access to the CPU I just need to remove 4 screws. One last thing, a bit off topic, but this computer has intel HD graphics 4600. I have 8 gb of ram, (planning to bump up to 16) I would love to boost up my dedicated graphics memory to at least 2gb but im stuck on 192mb, I feel like this computer has way to much potential to be throttled, is there any way I can up that too? (Ive already went to the BIOS so don't recommend I go there to check)

Overall I just want to get as much out of this computer as I possibly can, I use it for medium end gaming and school work, so if I can get a good run for my money off of it I will be more than happy.
Thanks in advance!

-NIck

 

[DonkeyOatie]

The E540 has a socketed CPU (in the US at least), so it could be replaced. What is your existing CPU? You may need to worry about extra heat. The i7 will likely have a higher TDP and you may run into thermal throttling.

 

[Nicholas_8]

The E540 has a socketed CPU (in the US at least), so it could be replaced. What is your existing CPU? You may need to worry about extra heat. The i7 will likely have a higher TDP and you may run into thermal throttling.

I can deal with heat throttling, (maybe Ill invest in one of those fans you rest your laptop on to cool it down.) System properties tells me this about the current CPU:

i5-4200m CPU @ 2.50Ghz 2.49

 

[DonkeyOatie]

It's not quite that simple. The 15 4200m runs at 2.5Ghz, with a turbo of up to 3.1Ghz. The i7 4702mq, runs at 2.2Ghz, and turbos up to 3.2Ghz, and has the same TDP. Gaming is going to be iGPU limited, not CPU, so much.

Your system can use up to 1.7Gb of RAM for graphics.

The new CPU will cost about $250, if you can find one. I would not spend my money that way. A new Broadwell based i3 5015U system costs almost as much. 🙁

 

[Nicholas_8]

It's not quite that simple. The 15 4200m runs at 2.5Ghz, with a turbo of up to 3.1Ghz. The i7 4702mq, runs at 2.2Ghz, and turbos up to 3.2Ghz, and has the same TDP. Gaming is going to be iGPU limited, not CPU, so much.

Your system can use up to 1.7Gb of RAM for graphics.

The new CPU will cost about $250, if you can find one. I would not spend my money that way. A new Broadwell based i3 5015U system costs almost as much. 🙁

Okay, So considering what you just said, I understand that it would not be worth shelling out
$250 dollars, At first I didn't assume that it would cost that much. Thanks for saving me one of my pay checks you made it pretty evident that the change will not be that significant. Lol, But, you said I can use up to 1.7gb for ram for graphics how do I then increase that from 192mb?

-Regards Nick

 

[DonkeyOatie]

The amount of video memory your computer has is dependent on the amount of pre-allocated memory set for your system plus the Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT). DVMT dynamically allocates system memory for use as video memory creating the most efficient use of available resources for maximum 2D/3D graphics performance.

DVMT allocates memory based on system needs.

Many graphic-intensive applications (especially games), require a minimum amount of video memory in order to run correctly (or even to run). Video memory is allocated based on the amount requested by the operating system. When the memory is no longer required, it is returned to the operating system for use by other applications or system functions.

Depending on the version of Intel adapter and drivers loaded, there may be controls found within the Intel display tray which can have an effect on this. Open the Intel display adapter control panel and check under the 3D settings - select the memory footprint on highest this should allow you to maximize your shared video ram usage.

 

[Nicholas_8]

The amount of video memory your computer has is dependent on the amount of pre-allocated memory set for your system plus the Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT). DVMT dynamically allocates system memory for use as video memory creating the most efficient use of available resources for maximum 2D/3D graphics performance.

DVMT allocates memory based on system needs.

Many graphic-intensive applications (especially games), require a minimum amount of video memory in order to run correctly (or even to run). Video memory is allocated based on the amount requested by the operating system. When the memory is no longer required, it is returned to the operating system for use by other applications or system functions.

Depending on the version of Intel adapter and drivers loaded, there may be controls found within the Intel display tray which can have an effect on this. Open the Intel display adapter control panel and check under the 3D settings - select the memory footprint on highest this should allow you to maximize your shared video ram usage.

I see nothing within the Intel HD Graphics Control Panel, under the 3D settings that says something about a memory footprint. Any other suggestions. The other day I restored my laptop to 7 from 10 I spent my entire weekend fishing for all the necessary drivers for my computer. So I am fairly confident when I say that, all drivers and adapters are up-to-date. If there is anything else you would like to see, I wouldnt mind emailing you pictures to your email off of my phone in order to make sure we are on the same page

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Are there settings on memory footprint that you can change?

 

[Nicholas_8]

Are there settings on memory footprint that you can change?

As far as I am concerned, I don't see anything about a memory footprint in the graphics control panel.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

If you post the pictures to tinypic or similar, you can include them in posts so I can see things.

I don't have your system, so I can't repeat it and my 'house' laptop is very modern with a Broadwell chip. so I can't use that either.