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Question

Upgrading i-3 350M to i-5 540M

Sep 18, 2015 3:55PM PDT

I have a Dell Studio 1749 that I need to take apart, replace fan and HDD. Since I'm going to do this, I am considering whether to upgrade CPU ( i-3 350M to i-5 540M). I was told that i-5 is compatible with the motherboard. CPU costs $50. Since this is not a new computer I am reluctant to invest in upgrades, except I could be reasonably sure I will get a significant improvement in performance. As for now my Studio is okay but just okay, and Autocad 3D is barely okay. I am also concerned whether there could be some problems with overheating.
Thank you

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Did Dell support tell you that? If not, who?
Sep 18, 2015 5:37PM PDT

In general I'm very leery of replacing the CPU that came with a computer because there are just too many unknowns in doing it unless you have something in writing from Dell that it will work.

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Answer
Since the BIOS must support this
Sep 19, 2015 6:48AM PDT

It's up to Dell to answer if it will work at all. As to heat, look up Intel's ark web page on both and look at both the TDP and packaging. TDP must not rise and the packaging must fit. If not, don't bother asking Dell.

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Thank you
Sep 19, 2015 9:21AM PDT

Thank you,
Dell wouldn't answer since my dell is no more under their warranty. I got this "suggestion" from Parts People, the Dell Laptop Experts" website, but I don't know if I could trust them. I was just hoping that maybe someone has already done this, and could help me because of his first-hand experience.

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It's rarely done for the reasons given.
Sep 19, 2015 9:32AM PDT

Dell doesn't support it, the BIOS may or may not support it but you can check things on your own such as TDP and packaging.

I'll complain a little here. One member went on and on about such an upgrade even after we found the package would never fit. Do the basics then post more widely to see if anyone has done it.

Keep in mind I caught a Woot used laptop sale and snagged a 199 buck Core i5 2510 (2nd gen i5) complete so such upgrades are tough to do today.

I'd post in the Dell Community forum and Tomshardware at the very least after you did your package and TDP checks.

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Answer
Found some good data for you.
Sep 19, 2015 9:50AM PDT
http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-540M-vs-Intel-Core-i3-350M tells us you won't get much of a boost.

For 39.99USD at Fry's I found an 120GB SSD which we tossed in a 2006 Inspiron e1505 to bring it back to working condition. It's not that we are going to use it daily but it needed a HDD and for 40 bucks we fixed it, doubled the HDD space and sped up boot and load times.

-> One more thing. I take it for granted that folk that do such work know to replace heatsink compound.
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That's settles it
Sep 20, 2015 1:18AM PDT

Thanks. Yeah, not much of the boost, $50 cost, and possible headache - will pass on that.

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(NT) My opinion. You'll get more out of the SSD.
Sep 20, 2015 10:10AM PDT
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Thank you
Sep 20, 2015 5:57PM PDT

Thanks. I know. The problem is that I would need at least 220 GB and this could be expensive.

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I picked a 240gb for under 99 bucks.
Sep 20, 2015 6:08PM PDT

And the office fitted me with the 512GB for 155 plus tax. Try Woot, Fry's, Amazon, etc.