CPU upgrade compatibility

[lunaquesa]

I want to upgrade the CPU on my laptop so I can produce music with no glitches, but I can't find much helpful info on which processors are compatible with my system. How would I find out what is supported? So far, I have the form factor for the CPU (FS1r2) but what will my BIOS support?

[Maké]

Hi!, @lunaquesa:

Your notebook, is ... https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-dv6-7000-entertainment-notebook-pc-series/5226230/m...

Product Number: B5S11UA
Description: HP Pavilion dv6-7010us Entertainment Notebook PC

Have, PC-Board ...

• Part No: 682180-001
• Description: A70M UMA MB
• Rohs: COMPLY_2.04

UMA = Unified Memory Archtecture. Signify what have integrated graphic (soldered) and didn't change or replace.

Have, processor ...

• Part No: 683048-001
• Description: AMD A8-4500M Quad-Core processor with Radeon HD 7640G graphics - 2.8GHz/1.9GHz (Trinity, 4MB Level-2 cache, 1600MHz DDR3, 35W TDP)
• Rohs: COMPLY_2.05

You not have possibility, of change processor.

[lunaquesa]

Ahhh, so the CPU is soldered to my motherboard and I can't possibly remove it to replace it with anything? Or is that just not recommended, for fear that I'll damage the board? I'm trained to solder professionally, but if the CPU is fused to the board in a way that I can't undo without damage, I guess my best option for an upgrade is to just buy a newer laptop?

[Huffer]

OK here is the Manual:

Service Manual

In reality, you CAN upgrade from your A8-4500M to a 

AMD® A10-4600M 3.20-GHz processor (4.0-MB L2 cache, 1600-MHz DDR3, quad core, 35 W)

See p. 1 of the manual. The processor is socketed, no soldering involved. 

If you install this processor the video will upgrade from Radeon HD 7640G to HD 7660G. 

This is an APU and the "processor" includes both the trraditional "CPU" and also the video function. 

So these AMD APU models are about the only ones where I recommend a processor upgrade because its cheap (relatively):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-A10-4600M-AM4600DEC44HJ-2300MHZ-SOCKET-FS1-Socket-722pin-2-3Ghz-Laptop-C...

And will bump clock speed from 2.8 ghz to 3.2 ghz (about 15%) and provide a slight improvement in video. It is still not going to be a gaming machine but the upgrade will be noticeable. 

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

[lunaquesa]

I read about an AMD A10-5750M that's even faster than the 4600M and fits the FS1r2 form factor also, but came out after the manual for my laptop was written. Any way to know if that one would work in my system or should I just play it safe with the 4600m, that one will stop my CPU from maxing out when I record complex tracks?

[Maké]

The processor not is soldered, but the graphics yes and if you change only processor you have equal graphics, in the PC-Board.

[Huffer]

I would advise against trying the A10-5750M...pretty sure it will not work...and to be honest, if you need to do serious content creation you need to get a better laptop. Even the A10-4600M is about on par with an i3-second gen lower end processor. The AMD processors are just not going to provide the power needed for serious content creation. 

[Huffer]

Here is the spec sheet on the A10-4600M:

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Bulldozer/AMD-A10-Series%20A10-4600M.html

It has the AMD HD 7660G as the embedded graphics chip and the A8-4500M has the HD 7640G video chip. 

These AMD A series units are processor and video in one. 

[lunaquesa]

Why do you think the 5750m won't work?

[Huffer]

Because it is a higher series. There is so much more to compatibility than the socket. It might work. Every now and then someone reports success with a processor not listed in the manual but usually it is closely related to one listed in the Manual.