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HP Recommended
HP Probook 4520s
Microsoft Windows 7 (64-bit)

  I am thinking of upgrading my good old 4520s. I was wondering whether if it is possible to replace the processor for a better one. Currently there is an Intel i3-330M installed and I dont know if there are compatible processors as replacement for this notebook. Is there someone who has tried to swap the processor in 4520s?
  As a second thought and question concerns SSD. Do you think it is okay to invest a little money into this 6-4 year-old machine or I shall save up for a better notebook? Even though it is an older machine, still works great - I maxed the RAM out to 8GB dual channel and had to replace the HDD a few years ago but anyways everything else inside is untouched so far.

Thanks in advance.

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
HP Recommended

Yes a processor upgrade is feasible:

 

i5-540M, 2.53-GHz, 3-MB cache 594188-001

i7-620M, 2.26-GHz, 4-MB cache 587259-001

 

Above are the 2 fastest compatible processors. 

 

Link to download Service Manual

 

See p. 83 for "how-to". Processor upgrade will also give you a chance to clean up in there and install new thermal compound which will keep the system cooling itself effectively. 

 

Here is the i5 on eBay which I think would be a better choice than the i7. 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i5-540M-2-53GHz-3M-2-5GT-s-Turbo-3-06GHz-Laptop-CPU-SLBPG-IBM-60y...

 

Even the i7 is not too expensive:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i7-620M-2-66GHz-4M-Dual-Core-Processor-SLBPD-/282237923920?hash=i...

 

If you can do the labor yourself I think it makes sense to drop another $40 or so into the laptop. The i5 or the i7 would be a significant upgrade and, as long as you don't need "newfangled" stuff like USB 3.0 you should get another couple years out of it. The HP enterprise laptops are like a good used Mercedes Benz...still going strong with 250,000 on the odometer. You can make a case for having one of those over a newer Chevrolet or Honda Accord. 

 

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

 

 

View solution in original post

1 REPLY 1
HP Recommended

Yes a processor upgrade is feasible:

 

i5-540M, 2.53-GHz, 3-MB cache 594188-001

i7-620M, 2.26-GHz, 4-MB cache 587259-001

 

Above are the 2 fastest compatible processors. 

 

Link to download Service Manual

 

See p. 83 for "how-to". Processor upgrade will also give you a chance to clean up in there and install new thermal compound which will keep the system cooling itself effectively. 

 

Here is the i5 on eBay which I think would be a better choice than the i7. 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i5-540M-2-53GHz-3M-2-5GT-s-Turbo-3-06GHz-Laptop-CPU-SLBPG-IBM-60y...

 

Even the i7 is not too expensive:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i7-620M-2-66GHz-4M-Dual-Core-Processor-SLBPD-/282237923920?hash=i...

 

If you can do the labor yourself I think it makes sense to drop another $40 or so into the laptop. The i5 or the i7 would be a significant upgrade and, as long as you don't need "newfangled" stuff like USB 3.0 you should get another couple years out of it. The HP enterprise laptops are like a good used Mercedes Benz...still going strong with 250,000 on the odometer. You can make a case for having one of those over a newer Chevrolet or Honda Accord. 

 

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

 

 

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