As it is said that the processor is just like the heart of your laptop. But it may malfunction sometimes as well. And in such a situation, the only question that comes into your mind is “Can You Change The Processor In A Laptop?” So by making it simple, yes, you can change the processor of your laptop. Whereas this whole task is very arduous to perform.
But keep one thing in mind that only a few laptops allow you to do so. This entire job demands a lot of time and expertise as well. First, you should know about the model of processor that will fit into your laptop accurately.
If you do not know what type and which model of processor you need to replace in a laptop, then worry not. We are here to brief you in a detailed manner in this article. At the end of this piece of writing, you can also read our step-by-step guide about “How Can You Change The Processor In A Laptop?”
What a CPU Is And Can You Change The Processor In A Laptop?
In most cases, your laptop does not allow you to replace or upgrade the processor. But even then this question “Can you replace the processor in a laptop?” will revolve around your mind. So making things very crystal clear, we have briefly described the thing processor and the circumstances as well under which you get the CPU of your laptop replaced or upgraded.
The Processor/CPU (Central Processing Unit), is the key component of any device and it handles all the basic and complex operations performed. In common language, this component is called the heart of the system. Soldered in the CPU, the motherboard will serve as the brain of your system. You can see it behind the cooling fans modules of your laptop when you will remove the back case of the laptop.
Most manufacturing companies solder CPU directly onto the motherboard and making it a quite challenging task for the users who want to upgrade the processor by detaching the CPU. but keep that in mind, in most scenarios you have to contact for your laptop’s warranty in order to strengthen up the power of your laptop. So let us get the complete information about the changing of your laptop’s processor.
Always Choose a Right CPU For Your Laptop
In this processor guide, you will also get to know about the factors that are involved to get a good processor when you are searching for the answer to “Can You Change The Processor In A Laptop?” Choosing an appropriate CPU for your machine is going to be a difficult task to perform.
If you want to upgrade the processor of your laptop, then the very first thing on which you have to focus is, the new processor/CPU must be completely compatible with your laptop. Following simple but technical aspects are involved in the changing of the CPU of your laptop. Let us briefly discuss them all.
Learn About The Limitations Of Your Device
In all the laptops that run on Windows Operating System, you can change the processors or the motherboards as well. However, in the case you want to change the processor of such a device that does not allow you will be a quite challenging task. If your laptop allows you to replace the processor even, then it is a hard task to perform.
Spot The Model Of The Motherboard Of Your Laptop
Now, in this step, identify the model of the motherboard that is being used on your laptop. By using a command prompt, you can easily get all the ground/basic information about the model and the type of motherboard that your laptop is using.
In case you want to get more essential details, you can also use a free website named “Speccy.” it will reveal all the appropriate and the most authentic information about the motherboard’s model and other information about the device as well.
Decide The Accurate Socket Of The Processor
If you are seeking the motherboard information of your device by adopting Speccy, then open the CPU part and find “Package” in order to see the type of socket that is present in your laptop. In case you want to find out which chipset your laptop is using, then go to the motherboard section and then to the header that is indicating Motherboard chipset.
If you do not want to use Speccy, then simply write the name and the model number of your motherboard accompanied by a text stating “chipset” or “socket” in the browser and search for that query. Besides these details, you can also find out the type of connection that was mentioned near to the processor socket in the earlier models.
Appropriate Motherboard Has The Accurate Processor
By using the chipset of the motherboard of your laptop and the socket size, you can easily get a suitable or processor for your laptop. So for getting the information about your motherboard, only type the model number and the manufacturer of your laptop and here you have it!
In this simple way, you may come to know about the motherboard model, chipset, and even the size of the socket for the processor easily as well.
Purchase a Suitable Processor
After getting all the precise information, now you know which type of processor will be suitable for the replacement and fits perfectly well on the motherboard of your laptop. Now you might move forward towards the next step. First, choose a processor according to the geographical region in which you live. Your processor must fulfill your needs and other computing demands as well.
To avail of the most economical deal, always compare the prices of over one vendor. As it might be a clear probability that you can purchase the same CPU at a less price from an online store than a market. In case you are going to purchase the motherboard, then you must cross-check the prices of the different online websites or stores to get a cheap deal.
Can You Change The Processor In A Laptop? – The Complete Procedure
To boost the overall performance of your machine, you can change the processor of the laptop by yourself. In order, if you want to change your experience, you should not buy a new machine. The only thing that you have to do is replace the processor of your older machine.
The overall replacement of the processor has 9 steps. If you want to achieve the best results, then you must read all the steps carefully and carry out the whole replacement process carefully. So let us look at these steps down here in this article, for finding the answer to your question “Can you change the processor in a laptop?”
Step 1: Update The Bios Of Your Laptop
Before even looking into the core of your laptop, you have to observe this most important step. You must make sure that your computer or laptop has the latest BIOS update of the present time. To help the updated versions of CPUs, the manufacturers often make these types of upgrades and updates in the systems.
The major issue that you will face in this step is that if you place a newer chip than the version of your BIOS, then your laptop will not even get started, which is definitely going to create a whole mess. So you have to make access to the manufacturer’s center of support so that you can find out the latest BIOS version for your laptop.
Step 2: Remove The Battery
Although opening each model of the different laptops may resemble. But they vary a lot in designing approach. In some laptops, you only have to remove the back single panel and you will get easy access to the hard drive, memory card, and processor of your laptop.
In case you have got different models of laptops and are worried to know about the opening process, then you do not need to worry. Because you have got a manual with this machine that will briefly explain to you the whole method of opening the laptop so that you can have easy access to the processor of your laptop.
First, remove the battery from your device as there are built-in batteries present in many laptops of today. As we know that the electricity remains in the motherboard portion of these laptops with built-in batteries. So you have to take more cautious steps in order to disassemble the battery. Only a single screw if falls on the circuit may pose some serious damage as well.
Step: 3 Take Out The Back Panel Cover
When you have removed all the internal and external power sources of your laptop, then it is the time to remove the shell of the laptop with the help of the screwdrivers. Even after removing the back shell of your laptop, you cannot see the processor of your device. In order to make the process visible, dismantle the upper section of the laptop as well.
In some laptop models, you may find screws under the rubber caps. Before proceeding towards the next step, you should completely remove all the screws from the back of the laptop. If a hard disk or any other component causes any hurdle, then you removing that component is a more preferable practice.
Step 4: Dismantle The Keyboard
After removing all the screws, the keyboard, DVD-ROM, and the wireless adapter must be removed. After properly and gently detaching the ribbon cable, nor softly remove the keyboard of your laptop.
Dismantling the keyboard in most laptop models is a difficult and focus demanding task, so you should do it properly and carefully by taking your time. An unanticipated force or any kind of jerk may cause some serious and permanent damage to your laptop’s keyboard. Note that you have to keep the screws carefully, as they are required for the assembly later on.
Step 5: Remove The Upper Shell
After removing the keyboard of your laptop, most probably you will find more screws and, in some models, some additional ribbons. Take all of them out. As ribbon cable or connecting cable being fragile need extra care.
In case you are facing any trouble during the detaching of the upper shell of the laptop, then exert no extra force to avoid damages. In such a case, look for some hidden or extra screes on the base or the components may also be adjusted through locks.
Step 6: Remove The Display Screen Assembly Of The Laptop
Before detaching the upper shell of your laptop. If the hinges of the display are visible to you, then you should perform step 6 before step number 1. But keep in mind that these things vary in different laptops and different models as well.
So after loosening the hinges, remove the Wi-Fi antenna of the laptop, and put the entire display unit of your laptop on a side so that you may avoid some major damage or any other harm.
Step 7: Heat Sink Should Be Removed Now
So here you go and the entire motherboard will be quite visible to you at this step. In case the Central Processing Unit of your machine is present in the upper portion, then you can have complete access to the Graphics Card and the CPU easily without detaching the heat sink unit at all.
But if the CPU or processor is still invisible to you, then you have to detach the motherboard of that machine out from the body/chassis. Putting an antistatic wire strap and making the machine completely grounded is a preferred practice before touching any internal part of the laptop.
Step 8: Now You Have To Change The Processor Of Your Laptop
After you have taken the heat sink out, now the processor slot is in front of you. Lift the CPU up from the socket carefully and remove it completely from the socket. Now set the CPU on a side by revolving the Socket of the CU in the counterclockwise directions until it ceases completely.
So now place the new processor in that socket. It will be set in place automatically, employing no kind of adjustment. Remember that if you have to perform a push during the placement, then there will be a clear alignment issue. Despite it will assist you in double-checking the CPU placement.
After placing the new CPU, now remember about closing the processor socket by rotating it in the clockwise direction till it reaches the point of cessation. In some older models, you might also see some locking bar-type things instead of a rotating nut.
Step 9: Reassemble The Laptop After Applying Thermal Paste
In the last step, first, use a lint-free cloth damped with 99% alcohol (isopropyl) to remove the paste residual. If you have got an older CPU, then clean the heat sink as well. When the processor is dried completely, then apply the thermal paste on the upper portion of the CPU.
By the use of a plastic card, now spread that thermal paste thoroughly on the entire surface of the processor. After reinstalling the heat sink, now reassemble your laptop. Once your laptop has completed the boot, now you have to go to the BIOS of your system and see whether your processor is visible.
So now start the Windows finally and enjoy the betterment of your new processor. But keep in mind that after the installation of a new processor, your window might not work so you have to reinstall it as well. After installing a new window, now is the time to enjoy it completely.
Final Words!
We have described all the possible information, aspects, and even the most authentic and method for replacing the processor of your laptop in our complete guide about” Can You Change The Processor In A Laptop?” We hope that now you are have got your query “Can I upgrade my laptop processor?” answered properly. There are many crucial factors involved in the replacing of the CPU on your laptop.
By following the above steps, you can easily replace the older processor of your laptop with a newer one. But the most important thing that you must have to keep in your mind is the compatibility approach. Which means whether the processor is compatible with your device. Hopefully, you are going to find out his article very much helpful and amazing to the next level as well.
