Replacing CPU instead of whole laptop?

Illsteward

Honorable
Nov 30, 2012
3
0
10,510
Hello, fellow Tom readers!

Just a less than a year ago, I purchased a Lenovo laptop, the G505 model. Back then, I have had a regular PC to go with it, which sadly got destroyed by an accident a few weeks later.
Nowadays, I have found out that the laptop itself might not be enough for the level of comfort and responsiveness I was used to (I'll admit, it's mostly games and VS2013 loading slow as hell).
So far, I have upgraded RAM, changed from HDD to SSD and did some minor maintenance on the laptop.
I've been wondering for a few weeks now if I should start saving for a new guy. But I have invested a lot into this one and I am not quite comfortable by simply deserting it just because it's sluggish at times.
The only issue so far is the CPU honestly, since the only configuration I was able to afford back then was AMD's A4-5000 APU. Luckily, it was paired with discreete GPU or I would be kind of mad by now. Judgning by manufacturer's site, it should be possible to dismantle the laptop and change ONLY the CPU part. It is described in official Lenovo service manual. However, never have I ever heard of anyone actually performing such procedure for laptop. I have assembled several desktop PCs in the past few years, but I wonder if this feat is even possible or logical to consider. The manufacturer offers a FRU (Field Replacement Unit) for the laptop which consist of A6-5400M APU instead of the A4-5000M I have now.
Anyone got any experience with this kind of stuff, or some recommendations? Or would it be better to buy a new laptop with regards to just CPU and GPU and simply push my current SSD and RAM in it?
 
Solution
I would have expected a laptop CPU to be soldered onto the board rather than using a LGA socket to allow replacement of the CPU. I could be wrong there though.
If slow load times are your issue, the SSD should have helped. If this was an image of the old drive on the SSD, a fresh re-install of Windows might help.
It would be worth looking at some performance benchmarks to compare the two CPUS you are looking at.

VincentP

Honorable
Oct 18, 2013
153
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10,710
I would have expected a laptop CPU to be soldered onto the board rather than using a LGA socket to allow replacement of the CPU. I could be wrong there though.
If slow load times are your issue, the SSD should have helped. If this was an image of the old drive on the SSD, a fresh re-install of Windows might help.
It would be worth looking at some performance benchmarks to compare the two CPUS you are looking at.
 
Solution

arossetti

Honorable
Feb 22, 2013
13
0
10,570
In my opinion other than SSD and memory upgrades its not worth taking apart a laptop. For one, depending on the break down, you may need special tools for mirco-screws. Next, if you are not used to working on the compressed and small form factors, breaking them down and putting them back together efficiently and correctly can be a problem - especially when working with specialized cable designs. Also -and I haven't checked on your model - but most likely the FRU is probably a new motherboard with the APU embedded meaning that you'll have to replace the Mobo which would mean dismantling the whole unit to remove daughterboards, connections and such. That's a project and a half without the proper equipment.

I think it really depends on your budget and how much time, effort, -and stress- you want to invest. Realistically laptops are really not meant for fully modular upgrading like desktops are.

Good luck.

 

VicVega1

Estimable
Jan 10, 2015
20
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4,570
The G505 is not a gaming laptop and swapping that CPU will not change that. I would say it's not worth the effort and money, but if you want to give it a try first take a look at some benchmarks to see if that new FRU will actually give you a significant performance gain. Secondly - you say the process of replacing the CPU is described somwhere, so you can check how complicated it is and will you hadle it. Third thing - cost. How much is that FRU?
 

Quixit

Estimable
Dec 22, 2014
62
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4,610


Yes, generally that's what a "field replacement unit" normally is, a replacement motherboard. I have seen recent socketed motherboards (my Alienware m14X R2 is socketed), but the G505 is not one of them.

I wouldn't recommend doing this unless you're confident if your abilities, I've done stuff like this before and it does involve a lot of small parts and careful prying. It's also dependent on cost, I wouldn't bother if the cost is high. Even the A6 isn't a particularly powerful processor.
 

Illsteward

Honorable
Nov 30, 2012
3
0
10,510
Judging by CPU-Z informations on the current motherboard, I am starting to also lean towards the "not really replaceable" alternative. While the Lenovo Hardware Maintenance Manual mentions the possiblity of replacing CPU as a standalone FRU, a quick check within CPU-Z gave me:
CPU name: AMD A4-5000
Code Name: Kabini
Package: Socket FT3 (BGA769)
And the mainboard identifies itself as Lenovo G505 with Kabini FCH southbridge. It seems that really the only way to replace the CPU will be to buy a new motherboard. And for that, I might as well buy a new laptop with decent CPU and GPU and just plug in my SSD and RAM. :)

Thanks a lot!