Q. Can I upgrade the processor or the graphics card in my laptop?

The short answer is No.

The longer answer is that many laptops have the CPU soldered into the motherboard. Even where the CPU is socketed, the motherboard chipset and BIOS would have to specifically support the new CPU, and laptop manufacturers aren’t in the habit of building in upgrade compatibility (or disclosing the details of the specification).

The only real prospect for upgrading is in a model line of laptops that is both socketed, and uses the same motherboard for a range of CPUs. In that case you may be able to get away with installing a higher CPU within that model line – if you could ever find a mobile CPU for sale. Needless to say, desktop CPUs will not work.

The other problem with laptops is that their battery, power systems and heat dissipation systems are engineered for specific CPUs and thermal outputs. If you put in a faster, hotter processor you are begging for failure.

As far as video cards go, 99.99% of the time you cannot upgrade the graphics card in a laptop machine

In most machines the graphics “card” is actually just a chipset that is soldered onto the motherboard, and cannot be modified. Very few machines use discrete Mini-PCIe cards or MXM cards for graphics. The cards are not commonly available; this company has a list of laptops they have upgraded http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/

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