CPU Upgrade

[DM58]

I have this older G4 that I'd like to resurrect as a spare laptop for as little cost as possible. I replaced the cooling fan, (it had stopped some time ago), and cleaned out a large amount of dust that had accumulated. After that, the performance is still slow and the CPU usage is at 100% after a short time of running. Could the fan not operating have caused damage the processor over time? I've downloaded the manual and seen the list of available replacement processors, are all compatible? Or, are there some I should not use based on any other factors in the laptop? The current processor is the AMD A4-3300M, 1.9GHz.

Thanks

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

The A4-3300M is pretty weak. It can take up to an A8-3520M.

Your Service manual

I generally try to talk people out of processor installs and upgrades but these AMD A-series APU units are an exception. 

The processors are very inexpensive and upgrading the processor is a plug and play proposition and you get a bump in the video hardware, to boot. 

You will not turn it into a speed demon but an A8 quad core should make it useable for a modest investment. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-A8-3520M-1-6GHz-Quad-Core-AM3520DDX43GX-Socket-FS1-Processor-/1724763277...

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as SOlution" to help others find it. 

[DM58]

Thanks for the quick reply, I'll look into that. One question though, based on what I said, do you think this is the problem or could something else be wrong?

[Huffer]

Something else could be wrong but we do get a lot of complaints about usage spikes (100% cpu) on the low-end AMD CPUs. Generally if the processor or motherboard was damaged you could not install Windows on the system. 

[DM58]

I have the new AMD A8 CPU installed and it's fine. Like you said, not a speed demon but good for what I need it for. Thanks agian.