I have a Gateway MX6421 laptop with a single core 1.79 ghz AMD Turion 64, I found an Intel Core Duo processor that is 1.66ghz. First of all, though I'm losing a little power, switching to a dual core will help a lot right? and also will pretty much any laptop processor fit or do I need to follow certain specs?
The chips run off of different sockets, you can't put an intel chip in an AMD motherboard, also Intel/AMD use different sockets between different series of chips as well. Clock speed isn't everything. Dual core >> single core.
Laptop upgrades are similar to desktop computers in the sense that they can (sometimes) be upgraded in that manner. It should be kept in mind that the desktops upgrad-ability is higher and laptop's upgrad-ability of lower than that. The array of lines of CPUs that can be upgraded (along with the (v)gpu is also smaller). Having that said, the same rules apply.
You will never, (OHHH OMG I said never!), see an AMD CPU in an Intel Board or vice-versa (at least for the time being). Don't even attempt to try smashing the CPU into a slot that wasnt designed for it.Soldering pins won't work =/. Even some CPUs in the same family won't work. Slot!
Some CPUs are soldered to the board of the laptop. You should check if the CPU is soldered to the board.
Check the manufacturer for more informaton.
I really doubt a laptop on dual core would just do that much more. Considering the use of general laptops; leave it to the deskies. The cost for a new CPU would be more than half of that of a new laptop. Remember, current laptops can exceed the 2x mark of processing power compared to your current one. Include that with extra graphic power, faster, larger hard drive, larger and faster ram, a longer lasting battery, and a bigger screen.
After finding out if your CPU can be upgraded (and if it can, is there better CPUs that can be put in), you can try searching on eBay, Amazon, or even local PC shops. For instance, i remember seeing CC selling a laptop CPU in the clearance section. Just keep searching, and good luck.
Keep in mind if upgrading the laptop is worth it (ie. Retiring the laptop).
Here is a list of processors that support your Socket 754 board. Upgrading won't do a whole lot. Going to an ML-44 would give you about a 30% increase in power. Common portable CPUs nowadays run about 2-5X as powerful as the ML-32. If you can grab one off of ebay for 20-30 dollars I'd recommend doing it as a cheap upgrade. Otherwise the days of your laptop are numbered but upgrading to a dual core machine would absolutely destroy a single core. We live in a dual-core software world that is starting to transition to 4+ cores.
