Thinkpads Forum

Hey guys! really like the X2** series of laptops. Epsecially the X230, its the best thing that i can afford. Anyways, i wanna buy one of these laptops, and upgrade it to an i7 thats 4c 8t, s it will be closely on par to my y50 lenovo.
Anyways, im not a complete noob on these stuffs. I do alot of laptop repairs, and i happened to change the cpu on a few laptops. Its not a problem for me, my question is just, is it possible to change the cpu on an X series, without changing the mobo (its soldered, or in a socket?)
Itd be best if the x230 has this ability, to handle a i7-3630qm or so, its the best thing for my price range.
I know that i might need a better charger, better cooling and all that stuff, i jsut want to knwo if its even possible to change the CPu, does the bios handle it and all that stuffs. Pls tell me wich thinkpad should i get for thsi. X201, X220, or X230?
If it doesnt, what laptop will be able to handle a quad core i7, thats about 200$? (200$ with any cpu, ill change it). Requirements are under 14", and has to be a thinkpad. I dont need optical drives, jsut a big battery and good screen (wich i also can change) are my requirements.
Thnaks to anyone in advance

Best X series is subjective.

X201:
-Best build quality
-i7-640lm still delivers very reasonable performance
-Screen is meh, but can be swapped out for a nice WXGA IPS screen (CCFL only), or outfitted with an average TN WSXGA+ screen (LED).
-max 8gb ram

X220/X230:
-Extreme water resistance
-A bit less rigid than the previous X series, but still reasonable
-WIFI antennas at the top of the lid often break if care is not taken.
-Much faster overall, max 16gb ram
-Available with only a 1366x768 TN or average IPS screen. (can be fitted with FHD IPS screen but is difficult to mod)
-X230 has a worse keyboard layout, but available with backlit keyboard.

None of the X series in existence have swapable CPUs. They are all soldered. Even if they weren't, they would not be able to handle a full voltage QC, since the T430 has trouble with a 3620qm on sustained loads.

None of those X-models can accommodate a quad i7, since they all have soldered CPUs.
The "highest" you can get is an X230 with "regular" i7-3520M.
But all X220/X230 can be upgraded with an FHD (1920x1080) screen and the X230 also with a classic keyboard from the X220.
The nearest Thinkpad in your budget for a quad i7 would be the T420.
See http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=115636

ok, so any cpu replacements with any X series is just impossible. Thanks, ill consider that while buying one of them, and jsut get a better CPU from the start.
Maybe something also compact, but with an i7 quad core possibilty?

the t420 is fine, but its a bit too big of a size for me. The x230 suits me better, maybe ill jsutstick iwth getting an x230 as i have an i7 laptop anwyay. I want the thing mainly for school. And the x230 has better gpu (hd4000), i might sometimes game slightly on it

the things that im most interested in are
t430
l430
x220, and...
x230

Wich shoudl i get? I liek the x230 the most. DO the t430 and l430 have soldered on cpus? Or interchangeable?

X series and slim-T series have soldered CPUs, so if you are really set on a quad-core, forget them.

Regular T series and L series have socketed CPUs, and you can upgrade them. I know that some folks are running Quad cores in their 14" T series machines. It should be fine, although you may want to use a beefier power supply like a 135/170W.

dr_st wrote:X series and slim-T series have soldered CPUs, so if you are really set on a quad-core, forget them.

Regular T series and L series have socketed CPUs, and you can upgrade them. I know that some folks are running Quad cores in their 14" T series machines. It should be fine, although you may want to use a beefier power supply like a 135/170W.

yep, i know about the power supply. I jsut dont knwo particular models.
So, a t430 (normal, nto "s") should be having a socketed cpu? And what about the "l" series 430? I want the new ones, at elast 3gen intels

You could try use i7-3612QM or i7-3632QM, which both have 35W TDP.

nitrocaster wrote:You could try use i7-3612QM or i7-3632QM, which both have 35W TDP.

in a l430 or t430 u sayin?

Those are available in BGA and rPGA packages, so you can use them in both X230 and T430.

nitrocaster wrote:Those are available in BGA and rPGA packages, so you can use them in both X230 and T430.

but that onvolse soldering on a x230? And, is the t430 a soldered or socketed laptop

yakuza wrote:but that onvolse soldering on a x230?

Sure, but you asked for X series and you wrote that you can replace a soldered CPU.
T430 has socketed CPU.

nitrocaster wrote:

yakuza wrote:but that onvolse soldering on a x230?

Sure, but you asked for X series and you wrote that you can replace a soldered CPU.
T430 has socketed CPU.

i meant changing the cpu when its a socketed, not soldered. Changing a soldered one is impossible for me (i dont have the equipment). Today i actually changed a cpu

nitrocaster wrote:You could try use i7-3612QM or i7-3632QM, which both have 35W TDP.

I have a i7-3612QM in my T420 but it requires custom bios. I'm not sure if it would run non-linux operating systems. Temperatures are about 70C under 100% cpu load.

brchan wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 05, 2017 9:16 am

Best X series is subjective.

X220/X230:
-Extreme water resistance

X220 water resistance is superior to the X230, according to YouTube shower and dunk tests.

People have managed to install a QC into X230:

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=121844