Can I upgrade my laptop's processor?

[H1010]

I have a 2011 Toshiba Satellite L755-S5214, which has an i3-2310M. I am thinking about upgrading to a quad-core processor, which will be able to handle higher temperatures and also have a lower load on each core, potentially decreasing heat dissipation.​ So I'm deciding to get an i7-2710QE, which would probably be the most compatible. I can control the maximum processor speed using the power plan settings, which will prevent the CPU from overheating. Can I upgrade to this processor?

[AlHill]

You must contact Toshiba and ask them which processors are compatible with THEIR BIOS. Then, you can select from those - only if your current processor is not soldered to the motherboard.

An upgrade processor must be socket, chipset, AND BIOS COMPATIBLE.

Doc

[H1010]

Both processors are able to be removed from the motherboard, and I can confirm that my laptop's processor can be removed, as the tray is present. Also, here's a link to compare the two processors: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/compare.html?productIds=53472,52220

[PSier2]

Hi H1010.

I was tracking your posts on 2 forums, have same computer and same problem.

Did you go ahead with upgrading​ the processor on Toshiba from i3 2310m to4 core i7-3610 qe?

Did it work?

Bios ok?​

[AlHill]

So? It is Toshiba's BIOS, not Intel's. You MUST ASK TOSHIBA what processors THEIR BIOS supports.

Doc

[H1010]

Maybe there is a way to update the BIOS to where it can support 3rd gen processors?​ If I get the latest BIOS drivers from the manufacturer website, will this work?

[AlHill]

To use another processor, your device MUST HAVE A BIOS THAT SUPPORTS THE PROCESSOR, from the manufacturer of your device.

Doc

[AlHill]

Why will you not contact Toshiba?

Also, if you think you are going to make your laptop perform significantly better with a 3rd gen processor, you are sadly mistaken.

The best thing for you to do is to take the laptop to a recycle bin, and purchase a new or much newer laptop, and stop this silliness about replacing the processor.

Doc

[H1010]

The old​ laptop actually works perfectly fine, and it even performs much better than my newer laptop, an AMD HP Notebook 15-f387wm. I'm mainly upgrading it because the laptop is very reliable and the system is stable, unlike my HP laptop. Also, newer computers don't always perform better than older computers.

[AlHill]

Newer computers are supported, older ones are not.

Doc

[H1010]

That is certainly true. However, older computers would have been reviewed by many more people, which helps a lot with choosing the right computer. Newer computers could possibly have problems that haven't been discovered yet, which could be dangerous (like the Dell computers that caught on fire).​

[H1010]

Also, I just did some research on the Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge processors, and the Ivy Bridge processors basically have the same architecture as the Sandy Bridge processors... Only difference is that the die on the Ivy Bridge CPUs is smaller, and they use slightly less power than the Sandy Bridge CPUs. I'll update my laptop's BIOS to the latest version, I'll get the new processor, and then I'll see if it works...

[AlHill]

I am sure, if you look hard enough, you can find yourself a good 486 with Windows 95.

You can say the same for new cars, new houses, new phones.

Enough of this.

Doc

[AlHill]

Ok, for the last time, you must ask toshiba about compatibility with their bios.

If you refuse to take the advice you asked for, why even come here? You should be on the toshiba support site.

Now, if you damage your laptop, or processor, or if things do not work correctly and you have sporadic failures, you have been warned.

Doc

[AlHill]

Read paragraphs 1, 2, and 3:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005682/processors.html

Doc

[H1010]

Just tried to see how to contact Toshiba for my laptop, but there doesn't seem to be any support... Well, looks like there's only one way to find out... I might be able to modify the laptop's heatsink so that it cools the processor even better. I'll update the BIOS to the latest version, get a new CPU, and see what happens...

[H1010]

It would very likely work properly, since the Ivy Bridge processors have the same architecture as the Sandy Bridge processors...​