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Can You Upgrade a Laptop CPU?
It usually isn’t an option, but there are exceptions. If you can't, we'll talk about other ways to speed up your laptop
This article explains how to upgrade a laptop CPU, including an explanation of why it typically isn’t possible and some ideas you can use to improve the performance of your laptop.
Can You Upgrade a Laptop CPU?
You typically can’t upgrade a laptop CPU. Laptops are designed with tight size constraints and need to deal with issues like heat management, so they aren’t modular like desktop PCs.
In order to fit the most hardware in the least space, manufacturers often use non-standard parts and designs, solder components to the motherboard, and generally don’t consider future upgrades when coming up with new laptop designs.
A handful of exceptions, including Eurocom and Framework, are designed with upgrades in mind. Eurocom laptops use socketed CPUs like desktop PCs, and Framework laptops use a modular design that allows you to swap out virtually every component, including the motherboard and CPU.
How to Upgrade a Laptop CPU
You can't upgrade the CPU if you have a modern laptop from any major manufacturer, including Dell, Alienware, HP, Acer, Asus, and other common brands. While socketed and upgradeable CPUs used to be the norm, no major laptop manufacturers still use that type of design.
If you have a laptop from a manufacturer that allows for upgrades, the upgrade process will differ depending on how the computer was designed. In general, there are two options: laptops with socketed desktop CPUs and laptops with a modular design.
What to Do If Your Laptop Has a Socketed CPU
If your laptop uses a socketed desktop CPU, you can upgrade it to another CPU that uses the same chipset. Eurocom is an example of a laptop manufacturer that still uses this type of design.
Here’s what to do if your laptop has a socketed desktop CPU:
Warning:
Replacing a CPU is a delicate operation, and damaging the motherboard, CPU, or other components may render your laptop unusable.
Check to see if a CPU with the same chipset is more powerful than your current CPU.
Note:
The manufacturer will typically provide this information if requested, or display it on their website.
Purchase the more powerful CPU.
Note:
The manufacturer may offer upgrade CPUs for sale, or you may need to locate a third party seller.
Disassemble your laptop, removing the battery and any other necessary components to gain access to the CPU.
Note:
This process is quite difficult in many cases, and you may need to remove components like the keyboard or even the motherboard itself.
Remove the old CPU, and carefully replace it with the new CPU.
Clean the heat sink, and reinstall it with new thermal paste.
Reassemble the laptop.
What to Do If Your Laptop Has a Modular Design
If your laptop has a modular design, upgrading the CPU is fairly straightforward. Framework is an example of a laptop manufacturer that uses modular designs.
Here’s what to do if your laptop uses a modular design:
Contact the manufacturer or use their website to determine your upgrade options.
Purchase a compatible mainboard upgrade.
Remove the mainboard module from your laptop.
Note:
You will typically need to remove the expansion cards and keyboard, disconnect the battery and other cables, remove the RAM, and remove the SSD to access the mainboard.
Install the new mainboard module.
Install the new mainboard module.
How to Improve Laptop Performance Without a CPU Upgrade
While you typically can’t upgrade a laptop CPU, a few components are usually upgradeable, and there are also some tweaks you can make to improve performance without physically upgrading any hardware.
Here are some ways to improve your laptop performance without a CPU upgrade:
- Upgrade the RAM: Many laptops still use modular RAM, so you can typically install more RAM in a laptop to speed things up. Check with the manufacturer to find the correct RAM and verify that your laptop has room to expand.
- Upgrade the SSD: The other commonly upgradeable component is the SSD. If you’re running into storage issues, then replacing your SSD with a larger one will help. You may also be able to upgrade to a faster one for quicker load times.
- Update your operating system and drivers: Avoiding updates can eventually slow down your laptop, so check for and install any available Windows updates and update your drivers.
