Upgrading CPU: Pavilion DV6 i3 370m (to i5-3210M?)

[PhoenixJynx]

Hi,

I have a pavilion DV6 with a i3 370m processor however its not good enough for my usage however would prefer to upgrade the CPU and RAM as for me it would be cheaper to do so. I have been researching for a couple of days and cannot find any sufficient, recent posts about the upgrading. I have the ATI Mobility Radeon 5470 version of the laptop and want to be able to utaiize it without my processor becoming cluncky. I am also a Architecture Student so could do with a decent processors for modeling, rendering etc.

I have found that the Intel Core i5-3210m has 35w, and is also the Socket: PGA988 which is the same for the i3.

Currently my processor (i3 370m) is ranked on CPUBENCHMARK.COM as 2025 and the i5-3210m is 3822, which is a considerable improvement.

So if anyone could maybe help me onto the correct track i would much appretiate it.

[pepe999]

---

@PhoenixJynx wrote:

Hi,

I have a pavilion DV6 with a i3 370m processor however its not good enough for my usage however would prefer to upgrade the CPU and RAM as for me it would be cheaper to do so. I have been researching for a couple of days and cannot find any sufficient, recent posts about the upgrading. I have the ATI Mobility Radeon 5470 version of the laptop and want to be able to utaiize it without my processor becoming cluncky. I am also a Architecture Student so could do with a decent processors for modeling, rendering etc.

I have found that the Intel Core i5-3210m has 35w, and is also the Socket: PGA988 which is the same for the i3.

Currently my processor (i3 370m) is ranked on CPUBENCHMARK.COM as 2025 and the i5-3210m is 3822, which is a considerable improvement.

So if anyone could maybe help me onto the correct track i would much appretiate it.

---

Hi,

Those CPUs are completely different architectures. Your laptop is the first Intel generation and the Core i5-3210M is the third one. Also the sockets are different. Core i5-3210M supports FCPGA988 and not PGA988 as the Core i3. I think that the laptop is a dv6-3000 series. Could you tell us what exactly model it is, please? The chipset could possibly handle Core i5 and maybe even Core i7 from the first Intel gen.

[PhoenixJynx]

My model that is stated on the HP Laptop Packaging Box is DV6-3126sa

Thank you for your help... please come back with good news... LOL

😄

[pepe999]

---

@PhoenixJynx wrote:

My model that is stated on the HP Laptop Packaging Box is DV6-3126sa

Thank you for your help... please come back with good news... LOL

😄

---

Have a look here:

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02657339.pdf

According to the laptop specs all Core i3 and Core i5 (35W) should be compatible as your motherboard supports only dual core processors. However, you may buy a new board for 45W processors and use Core i7 chips. This also requires a new fan/heat sink assembly. Part numbers are in the manual so use the right ones and search them on google/ebay for the best prices.

[PhoenixJynx]

So, how will I know that the board ect will fit into my machine is there a list somewhere where there will be part number etc to upgrade?

I currently have 4gb of ram, will upgrading to 8gb help with game playing etc... I'm playing the game Marvel Heroes however have found it runs high on my machine and wanted to upgrade it so enables me to have a better quality game play

Thank you for all your help this far

[pepe999]

---

@PhoenixJynx wrote:
So, how will I know that the board ect will fit into my machine is there a list somewhere where there will be part number etc to upgrade?

I currently have 4gb of ram, will upgrading to 8gb help with game playing etc... I'm playing the game Marvel Heroes however have found it runs high on my machine and wanted to upgrade it so enables me to have a better quality game play

Thank you for all your help this far

---

Those boards are compatible with any Dv6-3000 series laptop. The part number for a quad core compatible board with 1024MB of dedicated video RAM (Radeon HD 5650M) is: 615278-001

This board also requires a new fan/heat sink assembly as in the laptop is a fan/heat sink assembly for 35W processors. The pn for 45W assembly is: 604787-001

After that a Core i7-720QM and higher from the manual can be used with that board. Other components like a wifi, memory and a hard drive are compatible with the new board and can be used with some minor adjustments (ATI driver has to be installed). 

The replacement procedures are described with pictures in the manual. 

DV6-3126sa

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&objectID=c02694360&jumpi...

Page 23(33) says that there is a compatible board with a Radeon 5470M (512MB RAM) which is the motherboard on your laptop. It means that the other listed boards should work on the same laptop. 🙂

[PhoenixJynx]

You are amazing, awesome!!!

So of I get any of the system boards that are on the manual and the 45w I can upgrade to the maximum i7 840qm (also in the manual).

You said 'minor adjustments' would that be software/driver wise.

If I where to change my board, should it automatically (if connected correctly) find the wifi, touchpad, keyboard, camera etc?

Really thank you! You have not only answered my question on point each time, I've learnt something, thank you!

[PhoenixJynx]

Also (sorry to ask so many questions, I've have a quick look around the web and found a motherboard on eBay however doesn't mention the graphics card, would that be integrated or not?

Link to one below:

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=130864340213&cmd=VIDESC

[pepe999]

---

@PhoenixJynx wrote:
Also (sorry to ask so many questions, I've have a quick look around the web and found a motherboard on eBay however doesn't mention the graphics card, would that be integrated or not?

Link to one below:

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=130864340213&cmd=VIDESC

---

That board has a dedicated chip or at least the one on the picture. The part number in the manual belongs to a board for quad core processors with a 1024MB of dedicated video RAM. You will also need that new fan/heat sink assembly from the previous post.

edit: I have had to reconsider the statement about "jkcomputerparts". It's actually a great seller and I was writing too fast.

[pepe999]

---

@PhoenixJynx wrote:
You are amazing, awesome!!!

So of I get any of the system boards that are on the manual and the 45w I can upgrade to the maximum i7 840qm (also in the manual).

You said 'minor adjustments' would that be software/driver wise.

If I where to change my board, should it automatically (if connected correctly) find the wifi, touchpad, keyboard, camera etc?

Really thank you! You have not only answered my question on point each time, I've learnt something, thank you!

---

The original board has a different graphics card than the new one. When you put the hard drive in, most of the components are the same and don't need to be reinstalled (those you mentioned) but some of them like the graphics card might need a new driver (software/drivers as you said). The most important thing is the chipset and that is the same as on the old board. Yes, that Core i7-840QM should work well. I was even thinking about trying a Core i7-920XM (55W) on my old Dv6-2000 but sold it to a colleague before I could do it.:)