upgrading my processor

[idata]

I have a mobile i7-720QM (Quad Core) that has gone bad. It is a three-year old computer and processor. I would like to upgrade it.

Knowing the socket (PGA988), and voltage/power requirements, how can I determine what processor I am upgradable to?

I have the Dell Studio XPS 1647.

[idata]

You should only replace the internal components of a laptop with the same part that came out. Not following this guide will cause undesirable thermal conditions.

Honestly, with the known issues of an http://en.community.dell.com/dell-blogs/direct2dell/b/direct2dell/archive/2010/02/24/throttling-update-for-studio-xps-1645-customers.aspx XPS 1645, I would say your better off buying something more reliable.

[idata]

Thank you, Sir,

For the tip. I just fixed the issue with a call to Dell tech who will send me a 130W adapter.

Moving on, at

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processor-comparison/comparison-chart.html http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processor-comparison/comparison-chart.html,you see:

my processor is on the left.

At http://www.intel.com/products/notebook/chipsets/pm55/pm55-overview.htm Mobile Intel® PM55 Express Chipset - Overview

it shows that my (the) PM55 chipset supports both.

and at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_i7# Core_i7 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_i7# Core_i7

it shows that I can upgrade to the third generation, at least technically.

Is this correct?

[idata]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_i7# Core_i7 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_i7# Core_i7 shows:

(my chip)

Clarksfield, Core i7-720QM, 4 Core, 6 MB L3 cache, rPGA-988A socket, 45Watts TDP, 45nm Process, DMI, PCI-e, 2* DDR3 Busses, (Sep 2009 release date)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_i7# Core_i7_2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_i7# Core_i7_2 shows:

(newer chip)

Ivy Bridge, Core i73990QM, 4 core, 8MB L3 cache, rPGA-988B socket, 45Watts TDP, 22nm Process,Direct Media/Integrated GPU, (April 2012 release date)

[idata]

Glad to hear you got a new power supply.

My first two thoughts are:

• 3rd gen i7 cpu has a higher TDP from 45c to 55c
• you would need to check if your board needs a new BIOS to support 3rd gen cpu

I noticed there's a few BIOS downloads, but haven't located any release notes for them.

I don't know enough about Dell products to know if these are a concern, but if it were me I would try to establish the max tdp for the board and find out if it needs a BIOS upgrade for gen 3 cpu.