I've been considering upgrading my laptop's processor for some time now, but I haven't gotten any straight answers for anywhere. I want to know if the CPU on my G50-45 can be exchanged for another.
specs:
AMD A6-6310 with Radeon R4 Graphics
8 GB RAM
1TB HDD
The vast majority (90-98%-ish) of laptops have a SoC (system on chip) design, meaning the cpu is soldered to the motherboard and can't be removed or replaced.
so the straight answer is no. You don't buy laptops if you want the ability to upgrade them as very very few are able to be upgraded. If you don't know whether or not it can be upgraded, then it probably can't.
Few laptops can be upgraded for either CPU or graphics.
1) Socketed and not soldered.
2) Socket has to match
3) Chipset Core Logic has to match
4) Power has to be acceptable for the socket and cooling
5) Voids all warranties. It is called "tampering". Zero help from the laptop brand. They are in business to sell you a new laptop.
6) There could be a list of acceptable CPUs in the bios such that other ones will not boot, even if everything else is ok. Only the laptop brand knows internal to the company somewhere, and won't tell you.
7) Few available on the open market. They are only considered repair parts for parts that rarely fail, and are typically expensive or have to be found used. Ebay? Amazon? Some China distributor?
8) It may not improve what you want it to do. The graphics processor in gaming determines the performance and the faster CPU could have the same built-in graphics.
9) It is difficult to do, pulling apart a laptop and putting it back together. Chance of damage exists in the process.
10) Graphics cards are semi-custom. Many times now, they solder parts to the motherboard.
That is why the generic answer is that you can't upgrade CPU or Graphics, even when possible.
Let's do a fast check - A6-6310 with R4-6310 embedded graphics in a module.
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Puma/AMD-A6-Series%20A6-6310.html
Package769-ball lidless Flip Chip Ball Grid Array (BOL769)
SocketBGA769 (FT3b)
BGA = solder Ball Grid Array, as motherboard soldered.
To upgrade your laptop would require a spare part motherboard from another model that contains the better CPU/GPU part. It generally costs more than your laptop is worth. It is cheaper to sell what you have a buy a new laptop, unless maybe a used motherboard and do-it-yourself.
Ugly.
No. Can't upgrade it, essentially. You have enough ram, and an SSD replacing the HDD does not do enough for performance. If you do not have a lot stored, it is possible to clone it to a smaller storage amount SSD.
Really, it is not worth upgrading anything.
At least, now you know, from a former 30+ year Procurement and Component Engineer of the Thinkpad line of IBM and Lenovo. [Retired - I do not represent either company. Legal statement added.]
In 99% cases, you can't upgrade processor in laptop since it's soldered to motherboard during manufacturing process