PCTech Forums

I've got a Sony Vaio laptop with a Pentium 4 2.3ghz chip in it. I hate laptops because you simply can't upgrade them. It was free though, so I'm not complaining. I've also got an HP desktop with a 1.8 P4 in it, which I want to upgrade. Only problem is... Computer hardware is expensive and, I'm on a tight budget.

Brace yourself. This is a very dangerous and farfetched question.

Would it actually be possible to switch the two chips? I thought it might be, since they're both P4's, but I don't know about the compatability. Or if mobile chips are different from desktop chips. That's why I came here to ask before I went and ruined two perfectly good processors.

I'd probobly be willing to buy a new motherboard if need be.

Alorox,
I can't honestly answer your question because it depends on alot more than just the chip.Motherboards and BIOS are pretty much the determining factor when dealing with AMD chips,not sure about pentium.Certain desktop boards can boot with a mobile CPU (if bios allows) but will be listed as "Unknown Processor".Pentium may not work the same,but in any case,I personally dont think it would be worth the switch.If your looking to get more performance from the desktop machine then i would reccomend adding RAM instead.Its a fairly cheap upgrade,certainly cheaper than frying 2 good chips and motherboards.

Much appreciated man. I'll probobly just go for more RAM and possibly a new video card.