Elitebook 8740w CPU upgrade to i7?

[NROmancer]

Hey gang,

I'm the proud owner of a 17" Elitebook 8740w.  My current processor is an i5-M520 and I'd like to upgrade it to an i7-720QM or -820QM.  Is there anything I need to look out for, like BIOS updates?  I know the 820QM draws more power (45W vs 35W for the M520 or the 720QM), so do I need a different heat sink?

TL;DR: I'd like to upgrade my CPU from the i5-M520 to the l7-720/820QM.  What do I need to look out for?  Do I need a new heatsink?

Thanks in advance!

[REO51ST]

@NROmancer

It's getting late but this I can say for now.

For use only with computer models equipped with Quad Core processors 597570-001

For use only with computer models equipped with Dual Core processors 596048-001

http://ark.intel.com/products/43122/Intel-Core-i7-720QM-Processor-6M-Cache-1_60-GHz

http://ark.intel.com/products/43124/Intel-Core-i7-820QM-Processor-8M-Cache-1_73-GHz

http://ark.intel.com/products/47341/Intel-Core-i5-520M-Processor-3M-Cache-2_40-GHz

The sockets are good just like you said 35W  vs 45W

Your manual here

http://h20628.www2.hp.com/km-ext/kmcsdirect/emr_na-c02749041-1.pdf

REO

[NROmancer]

Thanks for the info.  I'll let you know how it turns out!

[NROmancer]

Follow-on questions:

1) Do I need to update the BIOS?  Currently it's F.21 and that seems pretty ancient, but I can't find a definitive answer.

2) When replacing the processor heat sink, how much thermal transfer paste is sufficient?  Past experience suggests one or two drops maximum.

Thanks in advance!

[fs2050]

Hello,

could you please let us know if it is possible to update System board (Dual Core processors) 595698-001 to run a quad core processor if bios are updated to latest version or if there is a bios version that would allow for quad core processor to be installed on the system board 595698-001?

I understand that System board  Quad Core  processors 595700-001 is ready for quad processor support, but, want to know if I can save some $ by updating my system board's 595698-001 bios to latest version and grant me quad core processor support?

thanks in advance.

[NROmancer]

Closing the loop: I successfully upgraded my laptop from an i5 CPU to an i7-820QM.  All I did was follow the service manual's instructions.

BIOS: I didn't need to make any changes to the BIOS.

CPU heat sink: I replaced the single-tube heat  sink with a dual-tube configuration.

General notes: 

• Thermal paste: Make sure you have good-quality thermal paste on hand, because you'll have to remove the heat sinks for the CPU and the graphics board.  Clean the mating surfaces of the graphics board , heat sinks, and CPU surface thoroughly with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth before installation.  Note the location of any thermal paste on the old CPU and the graphics board before cleaning so you can apply fresh paste later.  A small dollop (about the size of a grain of rice) on the mating surfaces of the CPU and graphics board will be sufficient, but make sure you spread it out to form a thin layer covering the surface.

• Be careful when disconnecting/connecting the ribbon cables.  My EliteBook uses ZIF cables-essentially, a reinforced edge of the cable is inserted into the socket.  It doesn't use a traditional connector, so some deftness is required.

• Measure twice, cut once.  Take care when dismantling or rebuilding the chassis.  Make sure wire aren't pinched or nicked when you reinstall the hardware.  Give it a good looking-over before buttoning it all up.

• I strongly recommend a CPU monitoring program as well as a thermal/fan control program.  When you restart the laptop, watch the monitoring software to make sure your temp doesn't go out of bounds.  In my case, the internal temperature went up about 8-10 deg C to the upper 50s/low 60s--warm, but still well within boundaries.

It's been a month or so and it's running like a champ.  I swapped out the spinning-disk HD with an SSD and it's like a brand-new machine.  Good luck with your build!

-terry-

[NROmancer]

Hi,

I didn't do anything to the system board or the BIOS--I just swapped out the CPU and it was fine.