Modding Laptops

[OneForOne]

After a quick search I found that there is not an active thread on this topic (if there is one please let me know with a link). I know many people would argue that the performance gains from modding your laptop are not inherently worth it, and fundamentally I agree. However being a poor college student I never have enough cash in the back account at one time to purchase the hardware needed for a desktop (yes I am aware you can get in for very cheap, no I don't even have 300 bucks). So what are the basic concepts and ideas on this subject? What kind of changes are practical? Where can you get used hardware for laptops? What kind of performance gains can one expect? Am I just wasting my time thinking about this? Thanks for your help!

 

P.S. I have a Toshiba Satellite E45-B4100

Link to Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satellite-E45-B4100-i5-5200U-Processor/dp/B00U9W5EE6

[Enderman]

on most laptops the only thing you can change is ram and storage drives

thats not going to give you any significant performance improvement other than faster loading with an SSD

[TheGhzGuy]

2 minutes ago, OneForOne said:

After a quick search I found that there is not an active thread on this topic (if there is one please let me know with a link). I know many people would argue that the performance gains from modding your laptop are not inherently worth it, and fundamentally I agree. However being a poor college student I never have enough cash in the back account at one time to purchase the hardware needed for a desktop (yes I am aware you can get in for very cheap, no I don't even have 300 bucks). So what are the basic concepts and ideas on this subject? What kind of changes are practical? Where can you get used hardware for laptops? What kind of performance gains can one expect? Am I just wasting my time thinking about this? Thanks for your help!

 

P.S. I have a Toshiba Satellite E45-B4100

Link to Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satellite-E45-B4100-i5-5200U-Processor/dp/B00U9W5EE6

The only thing that will boost any type of performance is an SSD and some RAM. You can't add a GPU. I'd just recommend you save your money for desktop components.  

[MoonlightSylv]

1 minute ago, Enderman said:

on most laptops the only thing you can change is ram and storage drives

thats not going to give you any significant performance improvement other than faster loading with an SSD

I have a couple old ones where you can change the CPU.

[TheGhzGuy]

Just now, ShadowTechXTS said:

I have a couple old ones where you can change the CPU.

Yes, however, buying a new CPU would burn through pretty much all his cash. 

[Enderman]

4 minutes ago, ShadowTechXTS said:

I have a couple old ones where you can change the CPU.

buying old CPUs is even more expensive than buying new ones, especially laptop CPUs

and since its old then the best thing youre going to get is still some outdated processor that needs to fit the same socket, making it a complete waste of money

[OneForOne]

Thanks for the help people. It was something I was always curious about. Guess I will have to do my best to save for a desktop. Cheers!