Hi all! Today we’ll talk about how you can upgrade a laptop or, in other words, increase its performance by replacing some components. Upgrade or Upgrade from English is translated as modernization.
The whole difficulty is that the configuration of mobile PCs is rigidly set by the manufacturer, so the field for activity is not as wide as in the case of desktop systems, where everything or almost everything can be changed.
Laptop motherboard upgrade
Impossible in principle. Firstly, the cost of the mother can be up to 80% of the cost of the laptop itself. Secondly, it is not a fact that a more powerful motherboard will fit in the body of your device. As I already said, replacement is only possible with a mother of a similar model.
Processor upgrade
It's easier here. You need to select a processor for the socket on the motherboard of your laptop. If the processor that is replacing the old one is more powerful, cooling difficulties may arise. It is possible that the cooling system is designed specifically for your processor, accordingly, after upgrade the laptop will become stronger.
RAM upgrade
Everything is easy here. Find out what type of RAM is installed in the laptop and its size. For example, my Asus K52Dr initially had 4GB DDR3 - two 2GB sticks. (most laptops have 2 slots for RAM). You buy and install an additional level or change the already installed one for a larger memory. You also need to find out what is the maximum size of RAM supported by the laptop.
More RAM will allow you to comfortably work with a large number of running processes (programs). It should be noted that 32-bit OSes do not see more than 3.5 GB of RAM. Therefore, if you decide to increase its size, think about changing the OS to 64-bit. Are you having trouble figuring out how to do it correctly? Probably, experts who repair computers at home can help you.
Laptop video chip upgrade
It is practically impossible, because on most laptops the video chip is built into the motherboard, and the latter is designed to work only with this chip. If the video card is discrete, then you can try to choose a more powerful video adapter, unless of course its price bothers you.
Hard drive upgrade (HDD)
The easiest upgrade option, but we should not forget about compatibility hard drives. Mobile HDDs are found in the 2 most common interfaces: SATA and the more outdated IDE. Additionally, mobile drives may vary in thickness. While a thinner drive will most likely be installed instead of a thicker predecessor, the opposite situation is not always possible.
By upgrading the HDD in a laptop, you can increase its size (volume of stored information and performance). The biggest increase in performance will come from installing it in a laptop. solid state drive(SSD). Disks made using this technology have significantly higher read-write speeds than traditional ones. However, it is worth considering their high cost for now, compared to HDDs with magnetic platters.
In general, if you wish, you can increase the productivity of your mobile device, spending a minimum of money. The main thing is to approach this wisely. If you are a complete novice in this matter, then it is better to turn to a specialist. He will provide advice on all aspects of upgrading both a laptop and a desktop computer.
Sooner or later, you will in any case be faced with the problem of upgrading your PC, and maybe you have already changed the hardware inside its case more than once. The task is to select the components as optimally as possible. As for the laptop, you can’t replace everything, but only the RAM, HDD or wifi adapter, since the remaining components are integrated into the motherboard and are only accessible to enthusiasts. With a processor, everything is much more complicated; finding the required chip in retail is very difficult, although you can look for something on eBay. And changing CPUs older than 2002-2004 doesn’t make much sense. Before you start an upgrade, you need to decide on the choice of replacement components, your budget and the purpose of using the upgraded PC or laptop, that is, justify to yourself the profitability of purchasing new components.
System evaluation
Before you begin choosing components for the upgrade, you need to collect information about the installed hardware. Get system information using Windows you can use a key combination "Win + Pause", “Device Manager” in the left panel will also help you. But if you're going to find out detailed characteristics PC, then you will need a utility FinalWire AIDA64. With this program you will find out all the information about the “stuffing” of your PC: processor name, socket type, motherboard name, installed RAM type, etc.
Replacing the processor
The processor is the very first candidate for replacement in an old PC, but this component is expensive, and finding the right CPU with the appropriate type of socket and motherboard chipset is not so easy. This problem is especially acute in laptops. Very often, users think about a total upgrade because of “brakes”, although they themselves simply do not care about cleanliness Windows registry, a list of programs in startup and other factors affecting the speed of the OS, calling the old hardware the culprit. If you use your computer like a regular office PC: the Internet, all kinds of office applications, music, then any 2-x nuclear processor will cope with the assigned tasks. Well, for owners of single-core systems (Intel Celeron, AMD Sempron), replacing the processor with a multi-core one will come in handy and will significantly increase the performance of their PC. If the older model central processor you found has only a slight difference in core frequency, then the replacement will not be worth the money spent. In the case of a much weaker CPU, you will need to find the highest performance component supported by your motherboard. You can find out on the website of the motherboard manufacturer, and the name of the “motherboard” and current BIOS version The FinalWire AIDA 64 program will tell you. For example, ASUS has this service section at this link.
Please remember that firmware update Motherboard BIOS boards may expand the list of supported processor models.
Of course, as for a desktop PC, upgrading the CPU is quite easy: opening the case - removing the cooler - replacing the processor - applying thermal paste and installing it in reverse order, but you will have to tinker with the laptop or face the impossibility of replacement. For example, rare CPU models or those integrated into the motherboard. To prevent you from completely disassembling the laptop and getting stuck, find out the TDP value of the proposed processor for upgrading. This is necessary so that you do not encounter installation problems. new system cooling. You can recognize processors integrated into the motherboard by the abbreviation BGA in the name of the socket type or ULV in the designation of the central processor.
Attention! Processors of the Atom series from Intel and the E-xxx series from AMD are always soldered into the motherboard.
Cooling
When replacing the processor in your desktop PC, don't ignore the cooling problem. Use coolers for your CPUs only from famous manufacturers: Zalman, Thermaltake, Cooler Master, etc. Having paid about 1500 rubles for the cooler. You will get quiet operation and acceptable CPU temperatures. In addition to the cooler, evaluate the air circulation inside the case. Set the fan to blow in in the front panel, where the hard drive cage is usually located, and to blow out at the rear of the system unit.
Adding RAM sticks
About increasing volume random access memory In an old computer or laptop, it is necessary to take care of those users whose PCs and laptops are very slow when opening several programs or when using a browser with a large number of active tabs. The reason for the brakes in this case is due to the transfer of content from the RAM to the hard drive, and your hard drive, in turn, is much slower than RAM. To work comfortably in Windows 7, you will need at least 4 GB, or at most 2 GB. To replace RAM modules, just follow a few simple steps:
- open case (PC) | unscrew the cover with the image of the RAM module (laptop)
- install RAM strips in the slots, up to the gall of special locks
Laptops and nettops use SO-DIMM form factor modules (short connectors), while PCs use regular DIMMs (long connectors). The current RAM standard is DDR3. If your device uses DDR2 or DDR standards, then I recommend looking for used modules, since they are a little expensive in the store (the older the standard, the more expensive) and you may face the problem of the cost-effectiveness of the upgrade.
To determine the type installed memory again use FinalWire AIDA 64. Of course, you will use similar SDRAM, DDR, DDR2 or DDR3 modules with the corresponding frequency of 400, 667, 800, 1066 GHz. In rare cases, RAM modules from certain manufacturers only work with certain motherboards (laptops). Select strips with parameters similar to the old modules. In old motherboards, sometimes you need to follow a strict installation procedure; you can find out about this from the manual for the “motherboard”, and if it doesn’t exist, then download it from the manufacturer’s website. Compact motherboards, as a rule, have two slots, and if they are both occupied, then you will have to replace both modules with a larger volume, and if only part of the slots are occupied in your PC, then install similar modules of a larger volume in the free spaces, but not exceeding the maximum possible volume specified in the manual.
Replacing the hard drive | SSD installation
I won’t explain why you need to install SSD drive, I wrote about the advantages and disadvantages of both types of disks in the article. You just need to consider the minimum specifications of your computer before installing a solid-state drive:
- 2-core processor or more powerful
- RAM capacity from 2 GB
Yes, an SSD is expensive, but if you read the above article, you will understand that it is worth it. Moreover, all laptops and desktop PCs released after 2006 are equipped with a SATA interface, through which an SSD drive is connected. You just need to take care of the version of the SATA interface used in the system: SATA, SATA II or SATA III. Again, you can find it out with the FinalWire AIDA64 program. The class of the future SSD will depend on the supported SATA standard. If the first generation SATA interface is an SSD no more than 5,000 rubles, and with SATA II or SATA III, you can take a closer look at middle-class or top-end models, taking into account the budget allocated for the upgrade.
3replacement of video card
The issue of upgrading a video card can only be addressed when upgrading a desktop PC, since video cards in laptops and nettops are only integrated. Replacing the video accelerator (GPU) is advisable for gamers and those who would like to install a video card with a hardware HD video decoder. Modern desktop PCs use the PCI-Express video interface, while older ones (before 2004-2005) use AGP. Of course they are not compatible. True, AGP video cards can still be found on sale (3000-4000 rubles). AGP video accelerators that are now sold already have HDMI and DVI - modern digital interfaces for outputting images in HD quality. So be sure to buy a card with hardware support for HD video. When thinking about upgrading your video card, do not forget that computer games the old processor will still slow down, that is, installing a powerful video card on a system with a weak processor will not achieve much success in performance.
This material shows how to increase the amount of RAM in a laptop, how to replace a DVD drive, and also how to replace a laptop's hard drive.
How to replace the processor is shown in this material:.
How to replace the video card is shown in the manual:
[b]If possible, it is better to entrust the upgrade procedure to qualified specialists in service center
[b]Everything related to laptop upgrades is discussed in this forum thread:
Increasing the amount of RAM
Increasing the amount of RAM is the most typical type of upgrade. This issue is discussed in this forum thread:
Let's consider the feasibility of such an upgrade. If you have 512 or 1 GB of RAM installed in your laptop, then increasing its volume to 2 GB makes sense. Now the optimal amount of RAM is 2 GB. An increase to 3 or 4 GB makes sense if you work with graphics, video and CAD systems. There is also a slight increase in some toys.
[b] Note: It's worth noting that 32-bit systems cannot run with more than 3 GB of RAM. That is, if you have 4 GB of RAM installed, then a 32-bit system will actually use only 3 GB. To be able to work with all 4 GB, it is worth installing a 64-bit operating system.
One more point: memory frequency. Many people believe that if they, for example, take 800 MHz memory, then it will work at 800 MHz. It is not always so. The memory operating frequency is determined by the chipset (in the case of Intel) and the processor memory controller (in the case of AMD). If the chipset is not designed to work with memory at a frequency of 800 MHz, then the memory will not work at this frequency. The frequency will be automatically reduced to the maximum for the chipset
For example, Intel chipset PM965 supports memory at 667 MHz. If you install 800 MHz memory modules in such a system, they will operate at the same 667 MHz. If you install memory modules at 533 MHz, they will operate at 533 MHz. If the laptop has 2 memory modules installed, then their operating frequency will be determined by the lowest rated frequency of the installed memory. That is, if there are 2 modules installed in a laptop: one is designed for 667 MHz, and the second for 533 MHz, then as a result they will both operate at the lowest nominal frequency - 533 MHz. The same goes for timings. If there are 2 memory modules, then the workers select the maximum timings, which are programmed into the SPD for the operating frequency.
It is highly advisable to install memory modules of the same size and, if possible, from the same manufacturer. This will allow you to activate the dual-channel mode, in which the speed of working with memory increases approximately twice, ideally (in practice, this is on average 1.5-1.7 times). If the volumes of memory modules are not the same, then the hybrid dual-channel mode is activated. The average increase in this case is not so large.
Before you go to the store, you need to decide what to buy.
First you need to download the [b]CPU-Z program (download page)
Launch the program and go to the [b]Memory tab
As you can see, the laptop has 2 GB of RAM, which operates at a frequency of 667 MHz (the window indicates 333.4 MHz, but taking into account the fact that the memory is DDR, the effective frequency will be 2 times higher - that is, approximately 667 MHz )
The memory operates in dual-channel mode ([b]Dual). Timings are listed below.
To get more full information about memory modules, go to the [b]SPD tab
The upper window indicates the memory slot number. As a rule, laptops have only two of them. This means that a maximum of two memory modules can be installed.
As you can see, the first slot contains a memory module manufactured by Hyundai Electronics (Hynix) designed for 667 MHz. The same module is installed in the second slot
If I want, for example, to increase the amount of RAM to 4 GB, then I will have to sell my 2 1 GB modules and buy 2 2 GB modules.
If you have one slot free, and a 1 GB memory module is installed in the second, then to increase the amount of RAM to 2 GB you just need to buy another 1 GB module and install it in the second slot. When choosing a memory module, it is advisable (but not necessary) to take memory from the same manufacturer and which is designed for the same frequency as the first one.
When you have decided on the required amount of RAM and purchased the appropriate RAM modules, you can begin installing them directly.
Let's take a closer look at the process of replacing memory modules:
First, be sure to unplug the laptop from the power supply and remove the battery. Then we remove the cover that covers access to the memory modules. Sometimes it happens that memory modules are covered with a separate cover.
[b]Note: if you have difficulty disassembling your laptop, then download instructions for disassembling your laptop model from this forum thread:
The installed memory modules look something like this:
To remove them, you need to move the metal tabs on the sides, as a result the memory module rises slightly
Now you can pull it out without any problems
Installation of modules occurs in the reverse order. First, we install the memory module at an angle into the connector, and then we press on it and it snaps into the connector. We install the cover, install the battery and turn on the laptop. To check whether everything is working as it should, run [b]CPU-Z and look at the [b]Memory and [b]SPD tabs.
[b]We ask all questions about replacing RAM in this forum topic: .
Replacing the hard drive
Replacing a hard drive is also one of the most common procedures
Fundamental restrictions on volume hard drive No. There are also no special restrictions on the spindle speed. The laptop can be equipped with hard drives with either 5400 rpm or 7200 rpm.
When choosing a hard drive, you should pay attention to the connector. Nowadays SATA is mostly used, but some older laptops may use IDE. Connector placement and dimensions are standardized. As a rule, 2.5" hard drives with a height of 9.5 mm are installed in laptops. There are also 2.5" hard drives with a height of 12.5 mm, which may simply not fit into a laptop in height. This is also worth paying attention to when purchasing.
An old laptop hard drive can be installed in an external USB pocket. Everything related to this is discussed in this forum topic: .
Now you can consider in more detail the procedure for replacing a hard drive
Before replacing the hard drive, you must turn off the laptop, disconnect the cable from the power supply and remove the battery.
[b]Note: if you have difficulty replacing the hard drive, then download instructions for disassembling your laptop model from this forum thread:
Then the lid that covers the hard drive is removed. To remove the hard drive, you first need to disconnect it from the connector. To do this, you need to move it away from the connector.
when moved away, pull the hard drive up
As a rule, hard drives in laptops are mounted in metal frames. They need to be removed and placed on new hard drive. The metal frame is held in place by 4 bolts
unscrew them...
When finished, we put the frame on the new hard drive and mount it together with the new hard drive in the laptop.
How to restore on a new hard drive hidden sections- read
Replacing the DVD drive
Some old laptops have old COMBO drives that cannot write DVDs. To fix this unpleasant moment, you can install a new DVD drive. Another reason for changing the drive may be replacing a multi-format DVD drive with drives that support Blu-Ray or HD-DVD discs. In any case, the replacement procedure is the same. Drives in most cases have standard sizes And SATA interfaces or mini-IDE. The only difference is the tray lid, which can be removed without any problems.
First, turn off the laptop, unplug it and remove the battery.
[b]Note: if you have difficulty removing the drive, then download instructions for disassembling your laptop model from this forum thread:
In some laptop models, you can replace the drive without even removing the cover. In the vast majority of laptops, the drive is held in place by one bolt, which is placed approximately at the same level with the center of the tray where the disks are placed and at a distance of 12-15 cm from it. Unscrew that bolt:
In some old laptops, that bolt is unscrewed not from the bottom, but from the side of the keyboard (it is located under it)
and in order to unscrew it you will have to remove the keyboard. The keyboard, as a rule, is held on by latches at the top and bottom or bolted under the top panel. In this case, you will have to remove the decorative panel above the keyboard and unscrew the bolts.
When the bolt is removed, then you can pull out the drive itself
Everything is standard. We take out the old one, install the new one and tighten that bolt. It is worth noting that in some laptops the drive is installed in a plastic or metal frame. When replacing a drive, it will have to be removed from the old one and installed on the new drive. It also happens that a laptop uses a non-standard drive tray cover. It will also have to be removed from the old drive and installed on the new one.
That's all. We're done replacing the drive.
Replacing the processor and video card
Replacing the processor and video card is the most difficult upgrade procedure.
You can get a new video card or processor at a service center or in online stores.
[b]If you don’t know which video card or processor to buy, you can turn to this forum topic for help:
Once the processor or video card has been purchased, you can begin replacing it.
Replacing a video card is no different from the procedure for changing thermal paste in a laptop. All the differences boil down to the fact that instead of the old video card, a new one is installed in the laptop.
The procedure for replacing the processor is similar. It is described in this material: .
That's all.
[b] We ask all questions in this forum topic:
Edited by: FuzzyL- March 4, 2011
Reason: Material version 2.0
Today, for every person, a laptop is not a luxury, but a completely ordinary device. Modern laptops have a lot of advantages over a regular desktop: portability, aesthetic appearance, a wide selection and a certain plus general level of coolness and a decent performance reserve. Where a laptop really loses to a desktop PC is the ability to choose a configuration, so to speak, “for yourself” and ease of upgrade. In this article we will try to figure out whether everything is so bad in laptops with an upgrade.
And so, let's imagine the situation that you have a laptop that has served you faithfully for several years, and a certain amount of money. It is also necessary to have “straight hands”, because without them your entire upgrade may turn into the purchase of a new laptop and at least minimal knowledge of the structure of a computer. If you have all this in stock, then let's get started.
Before you start upgrading your electronic assistant, you need to clearly determine which components are suitable for us. To do this, go to the Internet, look for your laptop model and select the option with the maximum configuration. Why bother so much? The results of such a search will give us the answer to what maximum amount of RAM can “fit” into our laptop, as well as which processor is best for us. So, if you have successfully completed this step, then move on.
As you already understand, the main components in a laptop that can be upgraded are RAM, processor and hard drive. Changing everything else is absolutely not advisable, and the price will be somewhere around the same as new laptop.
Replacing RAM in a laptop
Let's start with the simplest thing - upgrading RAM. Indeed, replacing RAM is very simple even for the most ordinary user with minimal training. If you are not sure that you can successfully disassemble your laptop, then you can check out our instructions. All you need to do is disassemble the laptop, insert a new bracket, put it back together, making sure that there are no extra bolts left, and voila, everything works. Note that, depending on the laptop model, the RAM can be expanded by adding a second stick, or replaced with a larger stick. Increasing the amount of RAM will undoubtedly affect the performance of your device. This will be especially noticeable when working with heavy software packages such as Photoshop, CorelDraw, Matlab and browsers, which have recently become distinguished by their exorbitant appetite.
A small nuance: before choosing and purchasing a RAM stick, you need to carefully ensure that the standards of the original stick and the new one match. For example, if you have DDR2 memory, then buying DDR3 RAM does not make sense. Also, in recent years, DDR3 RAM with a reduced supply voltage of 1.3 V has appeared on the market. Typically, such strips are marked with the letter L at the end. When purchasing such memory, make sure that your motherboard supports this type of RAM.
Installing in a laptopSSDinstead of a hard drive
If replacing RAM is not enough for you to work comfortably, then you can start looking askance at the hard drive. Performance tests show that hard disks- This bottleneck in speed modern computers. Thankfully today is classic hard drives There is a very fast alternative - solid state drives (SSD). To make things easier to understand, an SSD disk is a kind of large flash drive that is several times faster than a regular hard drive.
Replacing a hard drive with an SSD is not much more difficult than replacing RAM. The truth here is that you should understand that when replacing a drive, you need to spend time transferring information and installing the operating system. But believe me, the game is worth the candle. When using a solid-state drive as the main one, your laptop will simply come to life: the system will boot much faster, programs will become much more responsive. True, buying an SSD today can hit your wallet quite hard. In addition, most likely, you will have to sacrifice volume. True, thanks to high-speed Internet access, few people today store gigabytes of movies and music on their laptop.
Just like with RAM, the memory capacity of a laptop can be upgraded by installing hard drive in place of the optical drive. Fortunately, the Chinese now offer various options for pockets for installing a hard drive in place of the drive. True, here you may encounter a low problem throughput bus through which it is connected optical drive. But if you use the hard drive as additional storage space, then no problems should arise.
Upgrade your laptop processor
Now let’s move on to the most difficult option for upgrading a laptop – replacing the processor. Why is this option the most difficult? Because there are a lot of pitfalls that can affect the final success. Firstly, it’s not enough to simply choose the processor that is installed in the maximum configuration of your device model. The thing is that sneaky manufacturers can, for example, install different chipsets in different configurations of the same model. And if you miss this moment, then in the worst case, the laptop with the new processor will not start. It is also possible that the laptop starts, but will reboot cyclically after certain time. A problem may also arise when the chipset and processor become friends, but the BIOS can interfere with this idyll. It may happen that the motherboard BIOS version does not support the selected processor model. The solution here is clear - either go to the manufacturer’s website and download latest version BIOS firmware. But it may also happen that the manufacturer did not consider it necessary to update the BIOS firmware for your model with support for the selected processor. So what should we do? Well, here everyone decides for himself: you can take a risk and spend money on new processor at your own peril and risk, or plunge headlong into the problem and study specialized forums. But remember that incorrect installation processor is fraught with very sad consequences. Therefore, weigh the pros and cons very well and consciously approach the processor upgrade, because instead of an increase in performance, you may get an increase in headaches.
You can, of course, also recall such laptop upgrade options as using an external video card. Yes, this way you can get a good boost in performance and the opportunity to play relatively power-hungry games. But here you will have to deal with an even larger set of nuances than when replacing the processor. In addition, with such an upgrade we remain tied to the desk and, in fact, turn our laptop into some kind of personal computer.
Results
And so, as you already understand, it is possible and even necessary to give a new breath to your relatively old laptop. The simplest and most effective way To revive the device is to increase the amount of RAM. If you want to increase the overall responsiveness of the system, then feel free to replace your old and slow hard drive with a new and fast solid-state drive. Well, if you want to get everything you can out of your laptop, then change the processor. However, remember that if you upgrade your laptop yourself, there is a risk of damaging it. And finally, the simplest advice for preserving the performance of your laptop: periodically clean the cooling system from dust and monitor what is installed in your operating system. Good luck with your upgrades.
Instead of buying a new laptop, you can upgrade your old one: a competent upgrade will save money and make your laptop almost as fast as the latest generation laptops.
After removing the bottom cover of the laptop, all its components become accessible. In some models there are several small covers with icons that will help you understand which device you will have access to.
Large memory capacity, high performance, fast work in wireless networks - you don't have to buy a new laptop to get all this. Replacing several laptop components will help you avoid buying a new and expensive one. Serious laptop upgrade, especially relatively older models, is produced without problems, since almost all the main components for them (processor, hard drive, RAM, module wireless communication) are commercially available. The motherboard specification imposes certain restrictions. The processor can only be selected from the socket that your motherboard belongs to. The main requirement for RAM modules and hard drive is compatibility with the motherboard, so before you start choosing components for your laptop, search on the Internet (for example, on the manufacturer’s website or Yandex.Market) specifications your model, or install the FinalWire program on your laptop, which will help get information about laptop hardware. In the vast majority of cases, the video card cannot be updated, since it is integrated into the motherboard.
Before disassemble laptop, you should understand which components of the laptop cause its poor performance.
RAM
If your laptop slows down Only in cases where many programs are running at the same time, or when opening large files, does it clearly lack RAM. As a result, the operating system is forced to continuously save data on the hard drive, which is subsequently read from it. All this greatly slows down the computer. It is recommended to increase the amount of memory if your Windows XP laptop has less than 1 GB of RAM installed. If we are talking about Vista or “Seven” OS, it would be wiser to install at least 2-3 GB. Using 4 GB or more makes sense only in cases where you have a 64-bit version of the OS installed.
Today on sale you can find RAM modules of DDR1, DDR2 and DDR3 standards (although the first type is much less common), operating at different clock frequencies. The CPU-Z utility will help you determine the type and characteristics of the installed RAM, and will also tell you how many modules are located under the case cover. You will get maximum performance if you have two identical RAM modules installed with the same timings (CAS Latency), now in stores it is easy to find such kits, 2 modules of 1 GB or 2 modules of 2 GB.
HDD
If your laptop takes more than two to three minutes to boot into the OS, you should first perform an audit installed programs and remove unnecessary ones from the autorun list, which will help you free program CCleaner or free utility PC Decrapifier. If this doesn't help, the problem may be with the hard drive itself. Budget laptops for mass market often equipped with rather slow HDDs. The maximum increase in operating speed - even greater than when replacing the central processor or RAM - can be achieved by installing a solid-state drive. True, the purchase of an SSD cannot yet be called budget solution, but now you can already find quite affordable models costing about 3,000 rubles. (for example, OCZ company), but when using an SDD disk, do not forget to optimize the OS: disable or transfer swap files to another disk, turn off defragmentation, indexing and other services (for this you can use SSD program Tweaker).
compromise between high speed operation of an SSD drive and the high capacity of a classic HDD is hybrid drive Seagate Momentus XT. However, if your laptop was manufactured in 2006–2007 or even earlier, then most likely it is equipped with an IDE interface for connecting a hard drive, which can be precisely determined using the same Everest utility. Hard drives with an IDE interface are quite rare on sale today, and their maximum capacity is 320 GB. In addition, their cost per gigabyte is almost twice as much as that of models with a SATA interface.
CPU
The fact that the laptop processor is outdated is indicated to the user by delays during system operation and when playing high-definition video files. Before deciding on replacing the processor in a laptop, should be found on the official website Intel companies or AMD socket type (processor socket), as well as the maximum power consumption level of your CPU. These parameters of the new processor must be identical to those of the old component.
Also note that if we are only talking about slow HD video playback on an old laptop, then a simpler alternative would be to equip it with a Broadcom Crystal HD hardware decoder, which is installed in a free Mini slot PCI Express and deals exclusively with hardware acceleration of high-definition video playback. You can purchase it on the eBay online auction for prices starting from $40 (1,120 rubles), but this method is not suitable for owners of laptops produced before 2008.
Wi-Fi module
If you are tired of the slowness of your laptop in wireless network, should replace Wi-fi module. It is also recommended to replace this component for security reasons, since the chip released a long time ago, instead of the current WPA2 encryption algorithm, only supports WPA or outdated WEP. The maximum increase in connection speed and communication range will be ensured by installing a WLAN module of the modern 802.11n standard. Typically, you will need a Mini PCI module for a 2006-2007 and older mobile computer, and a Mini PCI module for newer laptops. Mini format PCI Express. In the latter case, I recommend the Intel 6200 or the three-antenna version of the Intel 6300.
Blu-ray drive
To install a Blu-ray drive, your laptop must have enough powerful processor, level not lower than Core 2 Duo. This is the main, but not the only condition - the screen resolution must be at least 1280x720 pixels. It makes sense to install this type drive also if the laptop is equipped with an HDMI connector for connecting to a TV. The cost of a Bluray drive in the Slim Line form factor today is about 4,000 rubles, but this will be of interest to enthusiasts who want to save money on buying a Bluray player for their LCD or plasma TV.
Battery
Replacing the battery in a laptop It’s not difficult, just type your laptop model and the word “battery” into a search engine and you will find in stores both an analogue of the original battery and a high-capacity battery. Over time, laptop batteries inevitably lose their capacity, reducing the time battery life. A new battery can cost 3,500 rubles. and higher, especially for older models.
Selecting components for upgrading a laptop
RAM, hard drives and Blu-ray drives for laptops are standard hardware that can be purchased at almost any computer store. However, keep in mind that components of outdated standards are much more expensive than modern components. Therefore, it hardly makes sense to purchase new hard disk if your laptop has an IDE interface. Today, a 320GB model with this legacy connector costs more than a 750GB SATA drive.
The same can be said about RAM modules: 1 GB of DDR1 standard today is more expensive than 4 GB of memory of the current DDR3 standard. The situation is more complicated with the possibility of purchasing a central processor: in stores, as a rule, you can only find modern models. Nevertheless, you can still find processors from previous years on the Internet and in markets, for example Core 2 Duo/Quad. Products of even more advanced age (meaning WLAN modules and single-core processors) will have to be purchased second-hand, but their price, as a rule, turns out to be quite affordable.
Replacing components of an old laptop
To work, you will need a Phillips screwdriver, thermal paste and some alcohol. Location components For example Samsung laptop P10 shown in photo. The simplest upgrade procedure is to replace RAM modules: unscrew the bottom cover of the laptop and pull the module out of the slot, pressing the latches on both sides and sliding the component to the side opposite the slot. Installing a new memory module is quite simple: you need to insert it into the slot, press it against the laptop body and secure the latches.
If you bought a new hard drive or SSD drive, you should immediately purchase a separate case for it with a USB connector. Install new disk into this case and connect it to the laptop. Using an imaging program such as Acronis True Image, Paragon Drive Copy or any other data archiving program, transfer the contents of the old disk to the new one. After this, you can replace the drive and start the laptop with your operating system and a full package of installed programs.
Before you begin replacing the processor, you should update the BIOS to the latest firmware version, which is available for download on the manufacturer's website. Otherwise, if the motherboard cannot recognize the new CPU, the computer simply will not start. Don’t forget to buy another tube of thermal paste along with the processor (domestic, proven KPT-8). You can remove the processor itself by turning the fixing screw counterclockwise (see photo). Clean the layer of thermal conductive paste, removing any residue with alcohol or glass cleaner if necessary. Now you can install a new processor and, after applying new thermal paste to its surface, mount the cooler.
At replacing the WLAN module You should check how many antennas there are in the old component of your laptop. One antenna allows communication with a data transfer rate of no more than 150 Mbit/s, two - 300 Mbit/s. To operate at 450 Mbps, you need the latest wireless module connected to three antennas. To replace the old module, remove the antenna plugs from it, press both holders outward, then pull the module up and carefully remove it. When inserting a new module, align it with the guides and connect the antennas. The Blu-ray drive easily replaces your laptop's old optical drive. To do this, unscrew the screws securing the drive at the bottom of the housing and remove it. There is a holder at the back of the drive that must be removed from the old component and screwed onto the new one. In most cases, having previously pulled out the tray, from the old optical device You can detach the front panel and move it to the new drive. Then slide it into place, tighten the screws, and you're done.
Installing RAM
Small RAM slots. RAM modules for laptops have the SO-DIMM form factor - they are half the size of conventional modules for desktop PCs.
The procedure for replacing modules: to remove the old memory module, you must press the latches on both sides. The new one must be inserted into the slot and pressed until it clicks.
Installing a Hard Drive
Recommended capacity up to 750 GB or fast SSD, as an alternative. 
Extraction. When the bottom cover is open, unscrew the screws securing the hard drive chassis and disconnect the cable (most often, a plastic clip is used to secure the cable, which must be lifted up).
Install the new drive in the chassis of the old one and mount it in the old location.
CPU replacement
The processor is secured with a screw. CPU is mounted differently in a laptop than a similar component in a desktop computer. Here, to dismantle it, you will need to unscrew a special screw.
Replacing thermal paste. It is necessary to evenly distribute a thin layer of thermal paste over the entire surface of the chip for better heat transfer between the processor and the radiator of its cooler.
Replacing an old Wi-Fi module with a WLAN
WLAN module. A Mini PCI Express expansion card with an 802.11n WLAN module can have three connectors for connecting antennas (on the left).
Installing a Wi-Fi module. Like the RAM stick, the WLAN module must first be inserted into the guides and then a downward force must be applied.
Blu-ray drive
Removing the old DVD drive. After unscrewing the fastening screw, the optical drive is easily removed from the laptop case.
You need to install the holder and front panel on the new drive before you begin mounting the DVD or Blu-Ray drive into the mobile computer case.
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