HP G62-Series possible CPU upgrades?

[Ben085]

Hello, I would like to know of possible CPUs to upgrade my HP G62 laptop, that has a Intel Pentium Dual Core i3 CPU. Does anybody know what i could upgrade it with?

[NonSequitur777]

@Ben085,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

Yes, you have come to the right place.

 It is confirmed here that an HP G62 Notebook PC can, in fact, support 45-watt quad-core processors.  Therefore, the best possible 45-watt CPU upgrade would be the Intel Core i7-840QM as referenced here.

 

Why the Core i7-840QM?

Compared to the i7-720QM (which is confirmed to work), the i7-840QM offers:

• 4 cores / 8 threads (same as the 720QM, but faster)
• Base clock: 1.86 GHz → 1.73 GHz (slightly lower)
• Turbo boost: 3.2 GHz → 2.8 GHz (higher boost clock!)
• L3 Cache: 8MB → 6MB (more cache)
• Same 45W TDP

The i7-840QM is the fastest quad-core option from this era, fully compatible with PGA988 (Socket G1), making it the ultimate upgrade for the HP G62!

Things to Consider Before Upgrading to i7-840QM:

1. BIOS Support

   • If the i7-720QM works, the i7-840QM should work too, but HP's BIOS sometimes restricts certain CPUs. A BIOS update (if available) is recommended before upgrading.

2. Cooling & Thermal Management

   • The HP G62 was originally designed for 35W CPUs, so running a 45W CPU will increase heat output.
   • Solution: Clean the cooling system, repaste the CPU with a quality thermal paste such as Arctic MX-4, and use a cooling pad such as this Amazon purchase option: https://www.amazon.com/HV-F2056-15-6-17-Laptop-Cooler-Cooling/dp/B00NNMB3KS/ref=sr_1_7?crid=39TTAUN3....

3. RAM & SSD for Best Performance

   • Pairing the i7-840QM with at least 8GB RAM and an SSD will maximize performance.

 

Conclusion: Best CPU for HP G62?

✔ For a dual-core upgrade: i7-640M (if staying within 35-watt TDP).
✔ For maximum performance: i7-840QM (best quad-core option).

Hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @Ben085 

In order to upgrade to a first-generation Intel Quad core processor, your notebook must have one of the AMD Mobility Radeon graphics adapters that were offered in the model series.

The Intel quad core processors will not work if your notebook only has the onboard Intel graphics, and you must limit your upgrade to one of the Intel dual core processors.

[NonSequitur777]

@Paul_Tikkanen,

Thank you for pointing that out, I stand corrected.

I did not know about the two HP G62-Series motherboard versions.

My thinking was as follows: I got an old HP ProBook 6560b notebook (still running with Windows 7 Ultimate), which came with a dual core i5-2540M (2-Cores, 4-Threads, 2.60 GHz up to 3.30 GHz, 35-watt TDP). According to HP's specs, only good for 35-watt processors.  Come to think of it, this was actually my first HP upgrade project when I tried the quad core i7-2860QM (4-Cores, 8-Threads, 2.50 GHz up to 3.60 GHz, 45-watt TDP), and it has run just fine from the get-go, and no heat issues whatsoever.

Apparently, there is only one (1) HP ProBook 6560b version -but I digress.

@Ben085,

Please type in: system information in your lower search bar, and click on the System Information app.

Look to the right of "BaseBoard Product".

As I understand it (Paul, please rectify me if I am leading the OP astray), if it says: "1426" you should be A-OK to go with the quad processor.

However, if it says: "143A" you will be stuck with the dual core processors as Paul mentioned.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, NonSequitur777.

You were fortunate that your 6560B was one of those that came with the AMD graphics, because just like the g62 models, the 6560b also came with only the onboard Intel graphics as indicated in chapter 3. page 27 of the service manual.  

Motherboards came with the AMD/Intel graphics or just the Intel UMA (Universal Memory Architecture = onboard) graphics.

c03052147.pdf

I don't go by motherboard numbers (maybe I should).

What I do is to enter the notebook's product number from the system SKU line in the HP PartSurfer website, and it will provide the motherboard description.

Or you can just ask the OP if the notebook has just the onboard Intel graphics or the AMD/Intel switchable graphics.

From the HP PartSurfer:

This is the parts list from a random g62 with just the onboard Intel graphics:

HP PartSurfer

595184-001

System board (motherboard) - Universal Memory Architecture with Intel HM55 chipset

Here's the one where an Intel quad core processor would work:

HP PartSurfer

595181-001

System board (motherboard) - Includes Intel HM55 Discrete graphics

[NonSequitur777]

@Ben085,

There is a distinct difference between the two motherboard versions: on the left you see the G62 motherboard without the Intel HM55 Discrete graphics, and on the right, you see the G62 motherboard with the added three chips that makes the quad processors compatible:

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Ben085]

Thanks for the quick responses, This will really help me! I was just upgrading an old laptop to make i better to use.

[Ben085]

Are the AMD graphics expensive or not? I will upgrade based on this information.

[Ben085]

When i get home, i will open up my laptop and check, too.

[NonSequitur777]

@Ben085,

If it is the case that your G62 laptop has the motherboard without the Intel HM55 Discrete graphics, then you could very inexpensively, as it turns out, upgrade your motherboard which does have the Intel HM55 Discrete graphics, for less than $19 as purchasable via this trusted eBay Seller: HP G62 G72T CQ42 CQ62 INTEL HM55 RPGA989 HD5430 512MB GPU MOTHERBOARD 595181-001 | eBay.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777