Hi dawg,

The E6420 XFR was only ever produced with 6 CPU options: I3-2310M, I3-2330M, I3-2370M, I5-2520M, I7-2620M and I7-2640M, all using the PPGA988 (FCBGA1023) socket type.

I'm afraid that would mean there isn't an upgrade possible for the CPU you are looking to use.

EDIT: it may be possible to use the i7-2860qm but it's not a supported option so may or may not work. The motherboards are all essentially the same (as far as the chipset/CPU is concerned) 

If you are going to upgrade the CPU, please ensure the BIOS is up to date.

The quad core CPUs draw 10W more than the system is designed for - even if the system recognizes that CPU, you'll have stability problems due to overheating.  It's not a good idea to try.

10w is not significant enough for the heat pipe to cool additionally

the fan can run @ 400rpm constantly and the temp stays at 43Celsius

this is with a QUAD CORE 2720qm

**

so:

e6420 XFR will support 2720qm which is :

Sandy Bridge

Processor Number i7-2720QM runs off skt  BGA1224

===================

therefore:

which is the part # for the BGA1224 socket ?

There are many mobo version numbers for XFR

where can I get the specs to see the differences ?

10W is almost a 30% power increase over the existing CPU - it isn't something the system is designed to handle.  If you're  going ahead despite the warning, you must use an FC-PGA CPU - not the FCBGA unit.  The BGA CPUs are soldered onto mainboards - they are not socketed.

ok then thanks

There were two kinds of motherboard for the XFR, one with integrated video, the other with NVidia graphics. They all have the same CPU socket. Unfortunately I don't have access to individual spec sheets.