How to Replace Your CPU

When you think of upgrading your notebook’s components, what comes to mind? Adding a copious amount of RAM? Plopping in a larger, faster hard drive, or an ultra-speedy solid state drive? Certainly those are most obvious examples of bettering your PC. But you can also add extra performance by replacing the CPU—which isn’t as difficult as it may sound.

The Tools

We decided to replace the 1.5-GHz Intel Celeron M processor that powers a four-year-old Lenovo ThinkPad Z60m with a 2.0-GHz Intel Pentium M760 processor (the other option for the machine when it was available for sale). We purchased the replacement CPU from eBay for $60 (you can also buy CPUs from such online vendors as www.newegg.com or www.tigerdirect.com), and a 3.5-ounce tube of Antec Formula 5 Silver Thermal Compound ($10; available at www.newegg.com), a paste which is used to wick heat away from the CPU. You’ll need a screwdriver for this operation, as well as rubbing alcohol.