How to Upgrade Your Laptop HP Processor

HP laptops are built with business applications in mind such as using spreadsheets, word processors or desktop publishing. If you need more power in your laptop for gaming applications or graphics editing, you may want to replace the processor with a higher end model. Replacing the processor in an HP laptop can be challenging because of how small the parts are, but it can be done by a computer user with a basic knowledge of the internal components of a computer.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Parts retrieval tool

1. Check the manual that came with your HP laptop and see if it currently uses an Intel Centrino or an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Purchase a new processor of the same type that has a faster speed than your current model (see Resources below).

2. Power off the HP laptop by clicking on the "Start" button and then clicking on "Shut Down." Push down on the LCD screen until the latch on the lid clicks. Remove the power cable and any other peripherals that are connected to the laptop. Flip the entire computer over so that you can see the battery. Press the release button down with one hand and then pull out the battery with your other hand.

3. Pull out the two screws that are connected to the hinges on the back side of the computer. Flip the laptop back over and pull open the lid. Push the edge of a flat object such as a screwdriver head underneath the plastic bezel piece located in between the LCD screen and the keyboard. Pop the bezel upward and then pull out the cable that is connected to the motherboard. Remove the bezel from the laptop. Pull off the hinges.

4. Remove the screws holding the video card into place and pull it off the motherboard. Pull out the screws that connect the keyboard to the motherboard and lift it upwards. Disconnect the cable that runs to the motherboard and set the keyboard aside. Take out the four screws holding the processor fan into place. Pull out the cable running from the fan to the motherboard, and then lift the fan out.

5. Grab two sides of the processor with a parts retrieval tool and lift it slowly straight upwards. Push the new processor back down into its place and then set the fan back on top. Connect the cable back into the fan and then re-attach the screws. Put the keyboard back down and connect the screws. Slide the graphics card into place and re-attach the screws to the motherboard. Put the hinges back on and slide the plastic bezel back into place.

6. Close the lid and turn the unit over. Put the screws back in that connect the hinges and re-attach the battery as well. Open the laptop and press the power button. Wait to make sure that the operating system fully loads to ensure the processor was connected properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the pins on the bottom side of the new processor and make sure that they line up with the slots on the motherboard. If the pins are bent, the processor will be rendered useless.

Resources

• HP Laptop Support Website
• Buy Intel Core 2 Duo Processors