i3-2310m < i7-2620m; RV520 BIOS Update?

Hi!

I just wanted to post this quick question here about upgrading the CPU on my laptop.

So, I have the Samsung NP-RV520*don't know the specific model since bought second hand and doesn't have any of the original stickers in place for me to check.

Anyway, it came with an i3-2310m installed and I wanted to gain some performance by upgrading. So, I went with the i7-2620m since I'm almost 100% certain it will be compatible with this board and the chipset is the same. Question is, do I need to upgrade bios before installing the new CPU and if so, where can I find a downloadable for it since I even emailed Samsung themselves asking for the file and came out empty handed.

The current BIOS version is 03PQ, release date: 07/08/2011.
Oh and by the way I think it's important to note in this case, that the BIOS version seems to actually be newer than the i7. The i7 was released Q1 of 2011.


Also, do I need to concider some alternative cooling options since the i3 already runs quite hot with the stock heatsink/fan combo (about 45 - 55C idle), but I think the i7 will be a bit hotter still?

EDIT: Also, sorry if this thread is in the wrong place. Wasn't quite sure where to post a question like this.

OEM compatibility with CPUs is pretty hit/miss unless there was a model that shipped with it.

I see the following CPUs associated with the NP-RV520-*
i3-2310M
i3-2330M
i5-2410M
i5-2430M

I also see references online to a "07PQ" BIOS revision. Seeing some problems related to it though.

What I would do - find out what CPU-Z recognizes your mobo as. Do a search for "<your-mobo-model> site:valid.canardpc.com". Start going through the results looking for the CPUs and BIOS versions for your mobo (the laptop chassis). Could also try searching userbenchmark results by pivoting on your "motherboard". This would at least tell you if anyone else has been successful.

Some new thermal compound when you swap CPUs should be better then the old thermal pad that's probably in there. Also great chance to really clean up heatsink/fan.

I think the i5-2430M is almost guaranteed to work and would still provide a decent upgrade if the i7 doesn't.

Track Drew said:

OEM compatibility with CPUs is pretty hit/miss unless there was a model that shipped with it.

I see the following CPUs associated with the NP-RV520-*
i3-2310M
i3-2330M
i5-2410M
i5-2430M

I also see references online to a "07PQ" BIOS revision. Seeing some problems related to it though.

What I would do - find out what CPU-Z recognizes your mobo as. Do a search for "<your-mobo-model> site:valid.canardpc.com". Start going through the results looking for the CPUs and BIOS versions for your mobo (the laptop chassis). Could also try searching userbenchmark results by pivoting on your "motherboard". This would at least tell you if anyone else has been successful.

Some new thermal compound when you swap CPUs should be better then the old thermal pad that's probably in there. Also great chance to really clean up heatsink/fan.

I think the i5-2430M is almost guaranteed to work and would still provide a decent upgrade if the i7 doesn't.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the answer!

I would have searched the mobo model compatibility with the i7, but CPU-Z shows the model just as "RV420/R520/RV720/E3530... etc."
However, I did look up the socket, power draw and other factors regarding the CPU and it seems that the i7 is almost identical in every respect, but the clock rates. Even core counts are the same.

I'm just not sure if the BIOS I currently have is going to support it since it is apparently the one installed when shipped new. As said tho, the BIOS version seems to be newer than the release date of the i7, so here's hoping.

EDIT: PS, I already opened it up and thoroughly cleaned everything, including the heatsink, fan and old thermal paste. Applied arctic silver one instead.

Did you check userbenchmark:
http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Samsung-RV420RV520RV720E3530S3530E3420E3520/5065

I'm guessing the quad i7 listings are from a "720" model or the like with better cooling. Shame they didn't break it up the models.

Individual results will have a BIOS date code you can look against. Maybe look at all the non-default CPUs and their BIOS dates? Or find all CPUs on a board that matches your BIOS date.

Since you already bought the i7, chance of it breaking something is very low. I'd just swap it and see. Likely worst case scenario is it doesn't POST.

Results like this one look promising though (BIOS date is newer):
http://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/2947938

I'd expect your BIOS date to look like this though:
http://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/2002191

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII DID IIITTTTT!!!!



I'm so happy!

It worked on the first try and I got reeeally good results imho!
And I didn't need to update BIOS. I tested immediately after I got it together again.

Take a look:

http://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/3647756
http://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/3648415


This one's with the i3



i7 installed