Windows 7 - Need Advice On Upgrading Laptop CPU

Hey everyone. I need serious advice on upgrading my Laptop CPU. I don't know what CPU to go for. Here are my specs (Saves you time opening my specs):

Dell Inspiron™ 1545 Laptop
Microsoft® Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Build 7601 SP1 64 bit OS
4 GB RAM
Celeron® Dual-Core CPU T3000 @ 1.80GHz
Mobile Intel® GM45 Express Chipset (GM4500, X4500)
Dell Motherboard Model 0G848F
160GB HDD
Native Resolution 1366 x 768 (15.6")
IDT HD Sound

I don't know which CPU to go for. I'm looking for an improvement in overall performance, maybe gaming (for CPU's that have intergrated graphics but preferably a better overall performance). Preferably any CPU that's better than the Celeron Dual-Core T3000. I know that's not a good processor but I'm looking for better performance. Any advice given will be highly appriciated. Thanks in advance!

First, are you sure it is even possible to upgrade the CPU in your laptop? Only a small few laptops allow this. Second, even if the chipset can take it, and the CPU isn't soldered in, the cooling system may not be able to handle it. Even if you get passed all those restrictions, your still going to be severely limited in the gaming department by the onboard video card.

Honestly, if gaming is what you are after, you can either spend a fortune on a gaming laptop, or just build a tower, saving the laptop for everyday, less-intensive work.

Thanks for your reply DeaconFrost!

I know for a fact that my laptop CPU can be changed. It's even mentioned in the Dell Service Manual For DELL Inspiron 1545 and instructions are provided on how to do so. Plus, I've opened up my laptop to find that it can be unscrewed and carefully taken out. Gaming is not really what I'm after, even though PC gaming is a massive part of my life. I have accepted long ago that my PC isn't able to handle graphically demanding games, but I am proud of what it CAN handle and appriciate that. What I want to do, is make this Laptop perform it's best.

I'm not ashamed to say that I love my laptop dearly, as any other PC owner would love and be proud of their system. So what I really wan't to do is to invest in changing some parts and making my current laptop perform faster, starting with the Central Processing Unit.

Okay, that clears quite a few major hurdles. Have you done any research on Dell forums or the internet in general to see what mobile processors people are putting in those laptops? The socket design and chipset should refine the list down to what's possible.

Actually I have. I made a similar thread on SevenForums here about over 250-300 days ago. A user by the name of "Harvey Meale" suggested that I look into the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T6600 (2.20GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache) and the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8700 (2.53GHz/1066Mhz FSB/3MB cache). But even till' now I'm still unsure of what to go for.

Assuming both are compatible with the laptop, the P8700 will give better performance, but use a little more battery life.

Hi Ishmael, one caveat is to check the temperatures the laptop can handle, which more critical than a desktop machine. The Core CPU will run hotter.

Thank you for the information. I will look into it. One thing I did find out is that I have to look for processors that are compatible with my Laptops MTB (Motherboard). Do you know how I can do so?


Thanks for your post.

Do you have any idea on how I could do this? Any programs/software that can determine what temperatures my Laptop can handle? Any information on this would be great. Thanks!

That's why I suggested doing the research above, which you stated you had done already (but maybe I read that part wrong). If the proc can be upgraded, find out what people are upgrading them to. If you chat with the right Dell agent, they may tell you what it can be upgraded to, if anything. If you find people who are able to upgrade the proc, you'll find out what mobile procs they are using and if they have heat issues. It's risky regardless, and one of the reasons I will not buy a laptop for personal use.

Either way, a simple Google search should yield some results.

No. I looked through all the 1545's documentation and found nothing on temps.
It seems, however, the P-series CPU have a TDP of 25W while the T-series is 35W, so the Core series may run cooler.