Can I replace a soldered CPU?
Sunday, 21 June, 2009
I have a seven year old laptop PC. When it came out I opted for the standard CPU. Now it's so old and slow I wish I'd opted for the fastest CPU. I opened the case and the processor is soldered in place, not in a socket. Is it possible for me to buy a soldering iron and replace it myself?
(Originally posted Auguest 2006)
Rod , Currumbin, QLD
 That's one of those questions where if you have to ask it, the answer is NO.
It's a very specialised job to remove the old processor, and almost as difficult to solder the new one in place.
You could get it done, but my guess is that it would cost much more than the job is worth. And that's assuming you can even find the replacement CPU.
Start saving for a new PC. Meanwhile, do all the normal things to speed that one, such as reinstalling the operating system from scratch. Paul Zucker
 Reader solutions
super dudePosted: 24/06/2009 re: Can I replace a soldered CPU? well ive never seen a soldered cpu and ive been building computers for myself since my duron 700 and im up to a Q9300 now--with many builds between that time.
how old would your cpu be ?
when you buy a motherboard they tell you what cpu's you can use in the board--it all goes on the front side bus speed and ram etc.
sounds like it would be a crap computer now or with the fastest cpu the board could take and you may have the fastest cpu in it already.let the moths out of that wallet and update old son,you be a amazed with the speed in todays computers,time to use your computer for a boat anchor.
(Soldered CPU's aren't your average Intel or AMD Dude. They're often in cheaper systems, rugged systems or those using dedicated processors. Check Via chips as an example Dude. -PZdude) FrankPosted: 23/06/2009 re: Can I replace a soldered CPU? No and i say no because its just not worth the time/effort and cost involved in doing it plus the big possibility that it wont work due to sloopy soldering/heat and static if you havnt got the specialist equipment.
Just take a look at the small tags such a cpu has and how many there are,just about impossible to solder without specialist equipment.
Ive chipped a playstation 2 some time back and even that was a pain in the a**e even with a decent electronics base station soldering iron and back lit magnifier.
Frank N Stein enigmaPosted: 21/06/2009 re: Can I replace a soldered CPU? You can replace it yes, but its like Paul said it's a specialist job, I had someone ask me recently if I could solder a AC600 CPU. & I stupidly offered to do it before I realised just what they ment by soldering, power points yes, but a CPU.. Eh-heh, nooo... Not without cooking the old one getting it off the board. V.R. PattersonPosted: 20/07/2008 re: Can I replace a soldered CPU? The answer is absolutly no unless you are trained in what is known as surface mount technology - this uses a solder paste or powder and requires a very expensive piece of machinery - it is almost impossible
to do this using a hand held soldering iron - if you try buy one with the smallest tip possible and a very good solder sucker - buy the stuff they use to solder new one on then throw the lot out as you will most likly have cooked the cpu.
ReaderPosted: 28/10/2007 re: Can I replace a soldered CPU? yea you can it's tedious. just make sure you don't really care about the computer if you screw it up. you might end up burning the silicon trying to get the solder to stick.
those pins are connected to tons of routes within the board and it all has to connect. anonymousPosted: 04/07/2007 re: Can I replace a soldered CPU? I think its a great question and it brings up some important issues regarding computer and electronics recycling in general, I just took apart an old broken laptop to find that the CPU is soldered in place. I am not sure if newer laptops are moving to a socketed CPU but I really think they should because it can extend the life of the CPU as it can be removed from a broken machine and used to build a new machine whereas a soldered CPU is destined for a landfill or (hopefully) instead will make its way to an electronics processing plant Mark SebestyenPosted: 23/06/2007 re: Can I replace a soldered CPU? AND what forums are about if not asking and sharing questions and knowledge...for God's sake I just also wonder ... People should learn that no stupid questions exist! John WalkerPosted: 13/08/2006 re: Can I replace a soldered CPU? No no and no.....
For god's sake I just wonder at the questions people ask...
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