I have successfully upgraded my Inspiron 15 3520 processor from i3-2350M to i5-3210M (less than $30. at online auction). Maybe it's just me but i find Firefox web pages load and switch much faster/smoother. My photo application loads a folder of hundreds of pics in about the same time as before, but cropping is also much faster/smoother. It was def worth the price/work/learning experience. Unfortunately i introduced another problem (for which i will seek resolution in another thread) by my own error/impatience.
For the information of anyone who sees this answer and has the same question, I can report that the i5-3380M also works successfully in an Inspiron 3520. I installed one in an old 3520 last week and am using the machine to type this answer.
It was never shipped with an i7 - and given the other limitations of the system, it's likely not worth trying. All the i7 would do is emphasize the real limit of the system - the hard drive (assuming it hasn't been upgraded to a solid state drive) and the weak GPU (which will be the same on an i7 as on an i5).
billwx
1 Rookie
•
21 Posts
1
May 9th, 2017 02:00
I have successfully upgraded my Inspiron 15 3520 processor from i3-2350M to i5-3210M (less than $30. at online auction). Maybe it's just me but i find Firefox web pages load and switch much faster/smoother. My photo application loads a folder of hundreds of pics in about the same time as before, but cropping is also much faster/smoother. It was def worth the price/work/learning experience. Unfortunately i introduced another problem (for which i will seek resolution in another thread) by my own error/impatience.
robert p
4 Operator
•
9.4K Posts
0
May 3rd, 2017 07:00
Hi billwx,
Thanks for posting.
Unfortunately, no, that would not be possible, as the processor is soldered to the motherboard.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
May 3rd, 2017 07:00
On the 3520, the CPU is socketed -- not soldered (it is soldered on most subsequent models).
The second (sandy bridge) and third (ivy bridge) CPUs should work - up to 35W max power required.
pyjujiop
8 Posts
1
August 4th, 2017 03:00
For the information of anyone who sees this answer and has the same question, I can report that the i5-3380M also works successfully in an Inspiron 3520. I installed one in an old 3520 last week and am using the machine to type this answer.
billwx
1 Rookie
•
21 Posts
0
October 18th, 2017 01:00
Any chance of upgrading to an i7?
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
October 18th, 2017 06:00
It was never shipped with an i7 - and given the other limitations of the system, it's likely not worth trying. All the i7 would do is emphasize the real limit of the system - the hard drive (assuming it hasn't been upgraded to a solid state drive) and the weak GPU (which will be the same on an i7 as on an i5).