HP Envy Hardware Upgrade

[LaptopGamer]

Hi everyone,

I've had my HP Envy 17-j150ca for nearly two years not and as much as it has its issues, I love this laptop. Recently, it has been working much slower and has become a bit too outdated to run newer programs. I suspect it is an issue with the hard drive and am therefor looking at replacing it with a new SSD in an attempt to extend the lifespan of my laptop. I am, however, also curious about upgrading some of the other hardware. I've seen on the forum that many users have gotten mixed responses on the subject of replacing their motherboards with a new one. My warranty has been void for almost a year even after HP fixed the fatal design flaw of this laptop (unhinging at the base from opening and closing) so I'm not at all concerned about voiding the warranty on my machine. Can replace components but if all else fails I will just use it to replace the whole machine, so the loss of my laptop is not an issue. I have backups and installation CDs for my OS as well so this is no issue. 

 I understand that I may, very well, not get the answer I would like to hear about this but if anyone has any information on how I could keep my laptop up to date it would be incredibly appreciated. Thank you in advance for any answers you may have for me.

Cheers.

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Here's the Service Manual:

Manual

The motherboard is socketed and you could upgrade the processor to an i7-4900MQ which would be a .4 ghz upgrade. 

You have nVidia 740M video and there is a motherboard that has 750M video. You can install an SSD and a hard drive as it has 2 bays. The memory can be upgraded to 16 gigs. The top configuration with the best processor and video and max RAM and an SSD main drive would be pretty formidable still. However, the cost of getting there is going to be about the same as a new equivalent laptop. And the newest Skylake platform machines are something you would have to try out. 

Hard to call something with a 4th gen i7-4900MQ obsolete but I am afraid the economics of upgrade vs. new in this case are not favorable for upgrade. 

[LaptopGamer]

Thank you very much for your response.

This has been very helpful. My plan of attack has been to replace parts over the course of a few months (beginning with adding an SSD) until my laptop is once again capable of preforming as I would like it to. I am very glad to hear that the CPU is socketed as buying and SSD and the CPU should solve the problem and if it doesn't, I can always find some use for them and buy a new laptop. I appreciate the feedback.

Cheers.

[Huffer]

The processor is very expensive:

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-i7-4900MQ-2-80GHz-Processor-BX80647I74900MQ/dp/B00D60068C

[LaptopGamer]

I appreciate the input but I found one for 380CAD which is much less expensive than buying a new laptop. As I said previously, I am not incredibly concerned about the cost. Thank you for your reply!

Cheers.