What is the difference between socket PPGA988 and FCPGA988?

[aquin4]

I am considering upgrading my laptop CPU from an i5-2410M to an i7-2640M as I have seen one relatively cheap on eBay.

I don't believe this should be a problem as both require the same chipset, HM65 both require the same socket, PPGA988 (the current CPU is not soldered to the board) and both have a max TDP of 35W.

However I was then looking at third generation chips, specifically the i7-3520M, which also requires chipset HM65 but requires a slightly different socket named FCPGA988. Can anyone tell me the difference between PPGA988 and FCPGA988, if any? Would this mean that my laptop could not support the i7-3520M?

My current CPU:

http://ark.intel.com/products/52224/Intel-Core-i5-2410M-Processor-3M-Cache-up-to-2_90-GHz http://ark.intel.com/products/52224/Intel-Core-i5-2410M-Processor-3M-Cache-up-to-2_90-GHz

The CPU I believe I can upgrade to:

http://ark.intel.com/products/53464/Intel-Core-i7-2640M-Processor-4M-Cache-up-to-3_50-GHz ARK | Intel&# 174; Core™ i7-2640M Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz)

The CPU I`m not sure I can upgrade to:

http://ark.intel.com/products/64893/Intel-Core-i7-3520M-Processor-4M-Cache-up-to-3_60-GHz ARK | Intel&# 174; Core™ i7-3520M Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.60 GHz)

Many Thanks, Alli.

[Silvia_L_Intel1 · Accepted solution]

Hello Alli, thanks a lot for contacting us through the Intel Communities.

I would like to inform you that the 2 sockets are pin compatible; any of those processors will fit on your board.

However, putting a 3rd gen CPU into a system with a 6-series chipset is extremely dependent on the BIOS.

We have seen in the past some compatibility between 6th series boards and 3rd generation processors. So, I would recommend you to check with the laptop manufacture if this combination is possible, before ordering the I7-3520M processor. Please check if this CPU is fully supported by their laptop.

[aquin4]

Thank you Sylvia, an extremely helpful answer. I have emailed Samsung asking for a compatibility list for the BIOS, I just hope they are able to provide it.

[Silvia_L_Intel1]

You are more than welcome!!