Processor hard mounted to mobo

So I have an Asus X53E laptop with an Intel i3-2350M processor installed. I had an i7 kicking around which I decided to replace the currently installed i3 with. I opened the machine last night and once I got the mobo out, I found that the i3 was soldered right to the motherboard, no socket. I have never seen this before. I checked the specs on the Intel website, and it says that the processor should have a PPGA988 socket. Can anybody shed some light on this? I've been checking around on the net, but everything I've found says that the board should have a socket.

 

I assume you have checked carefully the specs for your exact model on the Asus website, if they are available. Does it imply (for example, by giving info on upgrading processor, that the CPU can be removed ?) or mention that it is socketed, anywhere ? You could try Asus support (if available again) to verify that the processor in your model is socketed ['Which processor socket is used in your model [model number] computer?']. - they may tell you what you have is permanently soldered outright, or they may tell you a socket, or say they don't know)
If there is any indication that the processor is supposed to be socketed, then I think you have a good case for compensation, RMA or replacement with a similar product that meets spec. Unless your PC was second hand...(which I doubt)

It may be that in that in your model the CPU is soldered to the board by design, in which case you just have to accept the situation.

That's my tuppennyworth anyway (it probably isn't worth even that much)

Dumb_Question
26.January.2014

 

SMT (surface mounted technology) CPUs have been used on many notebook motherboards for years. They are also commonly found on ITX and some µATX motherboards for SFF (small form-factor) PCs, tablets, phones, and netbooks. They are used to cut costs and ruggedness - but also to reduce height so the notebook case can remain as thin as possible (yet another downside to no ATX type standard for notebooks).

I don't see how you could have any case for compensation. The ability to upgrade a CPU has NEVER been a marketing/selling point for any notebook (or PC, for that matter) that I am aware of.

I also highly doubt you could use that i7 on the notebook anyway - even if it had a real CPU socket. This is because the power demands of an i7 are typically considerably more than the i3 and notebook power supplies are not noted for having lots of headroom. While the x53e does come in a i7 version, that does not mean the power supply (or notebook regulator circuits) for your i3 version is the same.

In general, notebooks are not designed for upgrading. At best, we are lucky to be able to add more RAM.

 

Yeah I never considered the PS issue... Good point. Oh well, I guess its a non-issue now anyway (due to the SMT thing). Well thanks for the info guys.