Upgrading Laptop Processor and RAM

[Tithonius]

Ok, so for christmas this year my mom will be getting my brother a new laptop. I know its not a fancy one, and its not meant to be, but for the price it was a good choice and she went ahead and got it. The laptop she bought is this one here.

 

http://manualsandguides.blogspot.com/2016/06/dell-inspiron-i3558-5500blk-laptop.html

 

What i would like to do for him is to upgrade the memory and the processor. Can i upgrade the processor in this laptop? and if so, i want to upgrade it to a high end i5 or maybie even an i7. Suggesstions for processors for it would be very welcome.

 

As far as the memory goes i think im going to get this kit here: 

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/P3xfrH/corsair-memory-cmsx8gx3m2a1600c9

 

It is the right speed and i think i can upgrade the memory to 8 GB with no problem. If it doesnt look right i can change it up for sure.

 

So i guess thats it, can i get a better processor for it, and can i get more memory for it? Thanks so much. im such a noob when it comes to laptop stuff.

[Tithonius]

well i know thats not always true, i know come laptops can have CPU's upgraded...

 

im not too worried about warranty

 

[Freezanator]

Unfortunately, it is impossible to upgrade the processor on any laptop as the processors are soldered directly onto the motherboard. However, you can give an upgrade to the memory. 8GB would be a nice sweet spot for RAM. There's one more thing that can speed up your brother's laptop responsiveness, an SSD (Solid State Drive). See if your brother's laptop has an extra drive bay inside. If it doesn't you can just get a drive caddy, put the SSD in, and replace it with the existing DVD drive.

[Tithonius]

Just now, Freezanator said:

Unfortunately, it is impossible to upgrade the processor on any laptop as the processors are soldered directly onto the motherboard. However, you can give an upgrade to the memory. 8GB would be a nice sweet spot for RAM. There's one more thing that can speed up your brother's laptop responsiveness, an SSD (Solid State Drive). See if your brother's laptop has an extra drive bay inside. If it doesn't you can just get a drive caddy, put the SSD in, and replace it with the existing DVD drive.

ok, i know SOME laptops can be upgraded, my buddy had one, but yeah, this one may be a bit of a loss in that department. and yeah, i know the ram is gonna be a good boost. I dont think i wanna do an ssd he wants to use the disk drive, and i would have to replace the drive thats in it. That means i would have to clone the drive or make a new windows install.

 

If i do upgrade the drive to the ssd can i just do a fresh install of windows from scratch and use the product key on the machine?

[Dabombinable]

8 minutes ago, Julian2000nl said:

You can't upgrade an laptop CPU. Don't even bother trying.

 

RAM is possible, just check what kind of RAM your laptop uses. And it could break warranty.

 

7 minutes ago, Freezanator said:

Unfortunately, it is impossible to upgrade the processor on any laptop as the processors are soldered directly onto the motherboard. However, you can give an upgrade to the memory. 8GB would be a nice sweet spot for RAM. There's one more thing that can speed up your brother's laptop responsiveness, an SSD (Solid State Drive). See if your brother's laptop has an extra drive bay inside. If it doesn't you can just get a drive caddy, put the SSD in, and replace it with the existing DVD drive.

Only if its one of the low power CPU. Because I took this laptop with the worst mobile Phenom II X4 (http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/hp/pavilion_dv6-3010ax/352205/) and upgraded it to the best locked mobile Phenom II X4 (http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Phenom II Quad-Core Mobile N970 - HMN970DCR42GM.html).

17 minutes ago, Tithonius said:

Ok, so for christmas this year my mom will be getting my brother a new laptop. I know its not a fancy one, and its not meant to be, but for the price it was a good choice and she went ahead and got it. The laptop she bought is this one here.

 

http://manualsandguides.blogspot.com/2016/06/dell-inspiron-i3558-5500blk-laptop.html

 

What i would like to do for him is to upgrade the memory and the processor. Can i upgrade the processor in this laptop? and if so, i want to upgrade it to a high end i5 or maybie even an i7. Suggesstions for processors for it would be very welcome.

 

As far as the memory goes i think im going to get this kit here: 

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/P3xfrH/corsair-memory-cmsx8gx3m2a1600c9

 

It is the right speed and i think i can upgrade the memory to 8 GB with no problem. If it doesnt look right i can change it up for sure.

 

So i guess thats it, can i get a better processor for it, and can i get more memory for it? Thanks so much. im such a noob when it comes to laptop stuff.

It depends on what model the CPU is. Look it up on CPU world and it will tell you (towards the bottom of the page) if it can or can't be upgraded (also, BGA means that it is soldered on).

[Tithonius]

2 minutes ago, Dabombinable said:

 

Only if its one of the low power CPU. Because I took this laptop with the worst mobile Phenom II X4 (http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/hp/pavilion_dv6-3010ax/352205/) and upgraded it to the best locked mobile Phenom II X4 (http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Phenom II Quad-Core Mobile N970 - HMN970DCR42GM.html).

It depends on what model the CPU is. Look it up on CPU world and it will tell you (towards the bottom of the page) if it can or can't be upgraded (also, BGA means that it is soldered on).

http://www.cpu-world.com/cgi-bin/SearchSite.pl

 

i *think* this is the right processor, can i upgrade it?

 

the link to the laptop specs are here: you can find the processor number if you scroll down. ive never used cpu world before so i have no idea if im doing it right. 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-inspiron-15-6-laptop-intel-core-i3-4gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-black/5165000.p?skuId=5165000

[Tithonius]

4 minutes ago, Dabombinable said:

 

Only if its one of the low power CPU. Because I took this laptop with the worst mobile Phenom II X4 (http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/hp/pavilion_dv6-3010ax/352205/) and upgraded it to the best locked mobile Phenom II X4 (http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Phenom II Quad-Core Mobile N970 - HMN970DCR42GM.html).

It depends on what model the CPU is. Look it up on CPU world and it will tell you (towards the bottom of the page) if it can or can't be upgraded (also, BGA means that it is soldered on).

ah nvm, it says its soldered

 

i think

[Freezanator]

Just now, Tithonius said:

ok, i know SOME laptops can be upgraded, my buddy had one, but yeah, this one may be a bit of a loss in that department. and yeah, i know the ram is gonna be a good boost. I dont think i wanna do an ssd he wants to use the disk drive, and i would have to replace the drive thats in it. That means i would have to clone the drive or make a new windows install.

 

If i do upgrade the drive to the ssd can i just do a fresh install of windows from scratch and use the product key on the machine?

Usually you can't upgrade the CPU on lower-end laptops like this one easily. This means that you have to unsolder the CPU from its socket and find another CPU which runs on the exact same chipset. Some BIOSes are also very sensitive and even getting a CPU with the chipset will make the laptop unbootable. So, its best to just to upgrade other components such as RAM, unless you love science experiments. 

Now, on your question, here's what I did for my laptop when I did the boot drive transfer from HDD to SSD upgrade while still using both drives. (Dual drive setup)
1. Download the Windows 10 installation media here.
2. Run the Media Creation Tool and select the USB option. (USB drive preferably 4GB and up)
3. Wait for the files to download to the USB drive (it took me more than 3 hours at 1 Mb/s)
4. Remove the USB drive and BACK UP FILES THAT YOU NEED in somewhere not in your computer.
5. Go to Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable > UNCHECK Fast Startup
6. Turn of your computer and take out your old drive. Put in your SSD. Make sure your SSD is the only drive inside your laptop. Plug in your USB drive.
7. Your computer will be looking for something to boot, which will be the USB drive.
8. Choose your Language, Time and Keyboard input. Click "Install Now" on the next 'page'.
9. Accept the terms, and choose the "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)". 
10. DELETE any partitions which are on the SSD and proceed. 
11. After everything is set up, plug in your older drive and take out any files you want (NOT PROGRAMS) and move it somewhere safe and reformat it.
12. All done!

[Tithonius]

2 minutes ago, Freezanator said:

Usually you can't upgrade the CPU on lower-end laptops like this one easily. This means that you have to unsolder the CPU from its socket and find another CPU which runs on the exact same chipset. Some BIOSes are also very sensitive and even getting a CPU with the chipset will make the laptop unbootable. So, its best to just to upgrade other components such as RAM, unless you love science experiments. 

Now, on your question, here's what I did for my laptop when I did the boot drive transfer from HDD to SSD upgrade while still using both drives. (Dual drive setup)
1. Download the Windows 10 installation media here.
2. Run the Media Creation Tool and select the USB option. (USB drive preferably 4GB and up)
3. Wait for the files to download to the USB drive (it took me more than 3 hours at 1 Mb/s)
4. Remove the USB drive and BACK UP FILES THAT YOU NEED in somewhere not in your computer.
5. Go to Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable > UNCHECK Fast Startup
6. Turn of your computer and take out your old drive. Put in your SSD. Make sure your SSD is the only drive inside your laptop. Plug in your USB drive.
7. Your computer will be looking for something to boot, which will be the USB drive.
8. Choose your Language, Time and Keyboard input. Click "Install Now" on the next 'page'.
9. Accept the terms, and choose the "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)". 
10. DELETE any partitions which are on the SSD and proceed. 
11. After everything is set up, plug in your older drive and take out any files you want (NOT PROGRAMS) and move it somewhere safe and reformat it.
12. All done!

 yeah i dont have a problem with installing windows, but honestly, it already has 1TB and that should be fine. its a slower 5400 rpm, but i think it will do fine for what he wants, as a 1TB SSD would be overkill. i dont even have a 1TB SSD in my rig.

[Dabombinable]

7 minutes ago, Tithonius said:

ah nvm, it says its soldered

 

i think

Its the U series i3, so definitely. Although at least it and its iGPU are more powerful than my old laptops Phenom II N970+Mobility Radeon HD5650-which made that laptop too hot to use off a desk.

[Freezanator]

8 minutes ago, Tithonius said:

 yeah i dont have a problem with installing windows, but honestly, it already has 1TB and that should be fine. its a slower 5400 rpm, but i think it will do fine for what he wants, as a 1TB SSD would be overkill. i dont even have a 1TB SSD in my rig.

You could just go for a 120GB SSD. In fact, I'm running it with my year-old 1TB 5400RPM HDD.