How to Upgrade an Intel Processor Laptop

by Ryan Maxwell
Many laptops feature Intel's Pentium series of processors.

Many laptops feature Intel's Pentium series of processors.

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When upgrading an Intel laptop processor, there are several factors that you must address before beginning any upgrades. First, you must make sure your laptop's motherboard is capable of upgrade. Unlike desktop computers, many laptop manufacturers design their motherboards to have a very limited capability for upgrades. You must also know the type of processor connection that your motherboard can hold. This is commonly referred to as the socket type. The manufacturer's documentation, either included with your computer or available at the manufacturer's website, will include the socket type and upgrade range of your specific laptop processor.

Step 1

Disconnect all power sources from your laptop, including the battery. Use a grounding strip.

Step 2

Disassemble your laptop to gain access to the CPU. The disassembly process can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and from model to model. Specific disassembly instructions can be found in maintenance and service manuals available in the documents section of your laptop manufacturer's website.

Step 3

Remove the heat sink from the motherboard. The heat sink is a copper device designed to draw heat away from the processor and send it away from the motherboard with the assistance of the fans. The heat sink is attached to the processor via four screws, numbered "1" through "4." Remove the screws in numerical order.

Step 4

Use a flat blade screwdriver to unlock the processor from the socket. The socket actuator is a small screw-shaped switch that is located just outside the processor. Unlock the actuator by rotating the switch approximately one half turn.

Step 5

Lift the processor out from the socket. The processor should come out with no resistance. If you feel any resistance when trying to remove it, check to make sure the actuator has been completely unlocked.

Step 6

Place the new processor into the socket, making sure that the pins are properly aligned with the ports on the socket. The processor can only fit into the socket one way. There is one corner of the processor that is missing a pin. The processor should fall into place. Do not push the processor into the socket. If it doesn't freely drop, it means that it is not properly lined up and pushing the processor will bend the pins.

Step 7

Remove any thermal paste residue on the heat sink with cotton swabs soaked in rubbing alcohol.

Step 8

Place a pea-sized amount of thermal paste on the center of the new processor and re-attach the heat sink, following the same numerical order you did during removal.

Step 9

Reassemble your laptop and reconnect the power supplies.

Tip

  • Always use a grounding strip when working on computers. Failure to do so will greatly increase the risks of a static charge causing irreversible damage to your computer components.

About the Author

Ryan Maxwell began his professional freelance writing career in 2009. He is a former U.S. Army military police officer, as well as a published poet and photographer. While attending Finlandia University, Maxwell majored in criminal justice with a minor in English studies. Ryan is also very skilled in computer maintenance, upgrade and repair with almost 20 years of experience.

Photo Credits

  • Getty Images/Getty Images News/Getty Images