Korean Job Discussion Forums

Rue_Meridian · Joined: 31 Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere in the great beyond

Hi...I am wondering if it is possible to replace the motherboard on my Dell Latitude CPx myself? I have some knowledge but not extensive and I have certainly not undertaken anything like this before. I understand if I buy a new motherboard (which I can find on e-bay) I need to buy a new CPU. For that can I simply buy anyone that is compatible with the motherboard? Are they hard to mount? I am not in a position to buy a new comp but I want a faster laptop with a better video card (my current card crashes every time I use a graphics intense game like WARCRAFT III - - I have tried eveyrthing to fix the problem but nothing has worked). I can get all of the parts with minimal cost but I also do not want to mess up my laptop by messing around inside. Are there details instructions on how to go about doing these things? Anyway any advice would be great.

rue

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

Giant · Joined: 14 May 2003 Location: South Korea

Usually you cant just replace a laptop maiboard. They are specific on dimensions etc. And these days I dont think any NEW laptops are made to be 'upgraded' so extensivly since its not viable. RAM and HDD maybe, but not anything else.

Your best and probably only bet would be to sell your current laptop, and buy a better one.

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

Giant · Joined: 14 May 2003 Location: South Korea

I said 'usually' you cant replace the mainboard, as that is an extensive upgrade.

Yes video card may be possible, but most if not 95% are not. I am generalising here.

If you look at every major brand of laptop like compaq, hp, toshiba etc. they all have different styles of 'cases' for their laptop and every time a new model comes out it looks different than the previous one. So you cant just change the mainboard at will. Thats all that I am trying to say.

And also look at it this way, the companies that sell notebooks would rather you buy a new laptop than keep upgrading. So they will not make it possible to do something major like get a better mainboard.

Bottom line, rather sell and get a new one.

jazblanc77 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004

Doesn't Dell occasionally use Sager shells? I could swear that they have before.

The answer to the OP's question is: if your shell will support an upgrade then go ahead, however almost no prebuilt laptops are upgradeable. In the case that your Dell is upgradeable, I would bet that you would have to get it refurbished by Dell directly.