Laptop CPU Upgrade. Possible?

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moto_251

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Mar 22, 2014
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Hey guys, I have a Dell Latitude E6410 and I am looking to upgrade the processor in it. Is there any way to do this? Even if I need to buy a new MOBO just to get an i7, I'll be fine with that. It's just the 2.4ghz i5 isn't cuttin' it anymore
 
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pauls3743
First. Motherboards in laptops, except in the same range, are not interchangeable. This is because there is no such thing as a standard form factor for laptops. Also, the port layout (USB, VGA/DVI/HDMI, LAN, Memory card, eSATA, etc...) changes between laptop ranges, not just over time. They are all proprietary, each motherboard with it's port layout is designed and matched to a corresponding case and then sold as such.

Second. The max processor for your laptop range is the i7-620M. You'll probably need to get this from the likes of ebay or craigslist as mobile processors are not sold retail. The laptop will need to be broken down so you can access the processor, this can be long, complicated and protracted due to the highly...
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UnitedExpress4180

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Is it possible? Yes. Problem is that laptop motherboards are generally only compatible with a very specific set of processors, and if it's an old laptop, you'll not only have a hard time finding better processors, but you might not even be able to find any processors at all for it. Plus, when it comes to replacing laptop motherboards, you're pretty much limited to replacing it with an identical motherboard from the same make/model because all of the ports and outputs are connected directly to the board, and their placement/design is specific to the model of laptop you have. Unless there's an identical model that supports high-end CPU's with a similar motherboard, you may well be out of luck. I'd recommend that you defrag and clean up your system before you look in to hardware upgrades, which is usually quite costly for laptops.
 
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pauls3743

pauls3743

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Dec 24, 2011
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First. Motherboards in laptops, except in the same range, are not interchangeable. This is because there is no such thing as a standard form factor for laptops. Also, the port layout (USB, VGA/DVI/HDMI, LAN, Memory card, eSATA, etc...) changes between laptop ranges, not just over time. They are all proprietary, each motherboard with it's port layout is designed and matched to a corresponding case and then sold as such.

Second. The max processor for your laptop range is the i7-620M. You'll probably need to get this from the likes of ebay or craigslist as mobile processors are not sold retail. The laptop will need to be broken down so you can access the processor, this can be long, complicated and protracted due to the highly integrated nature of the system, the complexity of the design and to prevent the ordinary user from servicing their laptop. The last hurdle, which I don't myself, is whether your processor is fitted into a socket or is soldered to the motherboard. Obviously, if it's soldered you're snookered.
 
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notj

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Nov 23, 2014
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The e6410 can use a wide variety of processors if you have the motherboard with an integrated nvidia graphics card. I have an intel i7 720qm in mine. Would not recommend that you go any higher then that as heat will become a concern. Even with an intel 720qm throttling may become a concern if you are gaming. If you do not have an independent GPU then the max it can have is the intel i7 620m as that processor has integrated graphics.

If you go to a better processor it is highly recommended that you copper mod your gpu for more efficient thermal transfer to the heat sync.

In addition to that, you should under volt the processor in order to keep the temperature even lower. Under volting will reduce performance, but less so then if you are running the machine really hot and it throttles itself.

My own system is idling at about 51c with a 720qm and copper mod; and around 74c under moderate load. I have not pushed it yet as the thermal paste has not had a chance to cure. Looking to get the numbers even lower as the paste cures and even lower yet when i under volt it.
 
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Stephen Devane

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Jun 10, 2015
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hi
will the 720 MQ Support 16GB RAM ?


 
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Super_Nova

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I also replaced my CPU (i5 520qm) for an i7 740qm. I noticed that the gpu can get quite hot after a while (70-80 C) if you watch video's or play a game. I downclocked the gpu with Msi Afterburner but I'm looking for a better solution. How can you copper mod the cpu & gpu? Does laptop coolingpads work?
 
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way2aware

way2aware

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Dec 26, 2013
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I just purchased a dell e6410 and stuck a 740 QM in there experimenting and was pleasantly surprised to see that it works. The stock e6410 heatsink ain't gonna cut it I dont think, but I am going to order an e 6420 heatsink today which looks a bit beefier and like it should fit. Will post results in a few days

 
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John_231

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Jan 29, 2016
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Good stuff, just got a 6410, upgraded the memory, win7 to 10, repasted the heatsink then thought well what about a new prroc? Surprised to see how inexpensive the I7's are on ebay
 
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way2aware

way2aware

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Update: Got my E6410 put together, went with the stock heatsink, arctic silver 5, and installed one copper shim between the gpu and the heatsink in place of the thermal heat transfer pad, with arctic silver on both sides of the shim. CPU is the i7 740 QM.
https://scontent.fphx1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/12662565_10208572873097584_3042938673246153562_n.jpg?oh=5ef3315624fa85bd757cc41a719fb116&oe=572E18B7

runs at about 47 to 50 C with all 4 cores activated in the BIOS, along with hyperthreading. Benchmarking takes my temps up to about 65C.
 
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way2aware

way2aware

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Yeah man... One really nice aspect of the E6410 is that you can access and swap any of the major components by removing ... (wait for it)..
One screw, dead center of the bottom cover. Easiest, most user friendly laptop I have yet to see as far as servicing goes

 
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mrhero

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Feb 16, 2016
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This sounds awsome :)
I'm about to replace my MoBo in the D6410 in order to put some quad-core beast in it. What do you think can I feed with i7 840qm?
What is the purpose of the heat transfer pad on the heatsink? Make the gap smaller between the CPU/GPU and the heatsink? Is your way stable enough? The consistency is not too jelly? I have not tried artic silver yet.

the heat pad is the grey stuff in the below pic right?
http://g01.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1r_dAIFXXXXa4XpXXq6xXFXXXf/Free-shipping-New-original-For-Dell-Latitude-E6410-E6510-Heatsink-Fan-Assembly-04H1RR-AT0AZ0010VL-0KTPRC-KTPRC.jpg
 
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way2aware

way2aware

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Yes that's the thermal pad. The reason I installed the copper shim between the nvidia gpu and heatsink was exactly as you'd guessed: because with only the arctic silver smeared onto the gpu, there wasn't enough contact pressure and it caused the gpu to get too hot. Those thermal pads are nowhere near as efficient at heat transfer as the arctic silver, but you do need to maintain good contact. I bought a bag with about 20 copper shims of varying thicknesses on ebay for about 4 or 5 bucks.



 
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