Laptop PC.
Whether or not a processor will work in your specific laptop depends on your motherboard compatibility. According to Maximum PC, the fastest laptop processor on the market as of July 2010 is Intel’s Core i7 920XM.
Time Frame
Intel launched the Core i7 920XM in the third quarter of 2009 as part of its Core i7 family of processors. These were the second generation of quad-core laptop CPUs, the first being the Core 2 Extreme QX9300.
Features
The Core i7 920XM contains four processor cores, a maximum clock speed of 3.2 GHz, and 8 MB of cache memory.
Memory
As a 64-bit processor, the 920XM, unlike 32-bit CPUs, can handle more than 4 GB of RAM. According to Intel, it is capable of utilizing up to 8 GB of DDR3, the most current RAM technology as of 2010.
Compatibility
The 920XM requires a motherboard with socket µPGA-988. In order for an upgrade to the 920XM to be possible, you would need a laptop with such a board already installed, as laptops are typically not designed to undergo motherboard upgrades.
Cost
According to Gizmag, at the time of its release in 2009, the retail price of the 920XM was $1,054. As users rarely purchase laptop CPUs separately, this became part of the total cost of the laptops that came with the 920XM pre-installed.
Tags: Core 920XM, laptop CPUs