Is BIOS update essencial - Yes or No? can i upgrade CPU to i7 - Aspire 5742g

Skybluesky
Skybluesky Member Posts: 66 Enthusiast WiFi Icon
edited December 2023 in Aspire Laptops

Hello everyone and a Merry Xmas,

Can someone here explain if I really need to update the BIOS version of this laptop to 1.30?

I want to upgrade CPU from an i3-370M to an i7-640M. BIOS version I have is still V 1.07.

My doubt is because I see some people who did the upgrade and had several problems like the GPU not being recognized.

Any insight on this would be appreciated.

Regards

Answers

  • Puraw
    Puraw ACE, Member Posts: 13,393 Trailblazer
    edited December 2023
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/697360/is-bios-update-essencial-yes-or-no-cpu-upgrade-to-i7-aspire-5742g

    If you've seen this thread below, you can read that someone successfully upgraded to i7 CPU 640M without updating BIOS, IMO no, you don't have to update BIOS unless you encounter issues.

    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/602087/upgrade-cpu-acer-aspire-5742g-i3-with-i5-i7-which-should-i-go-for-compatibility

    A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

  • Skybluesky
    Skybluesky Member Posts: 66 Enthusiast WiFi Icon

    Ok, I will read that thread better. I did make a search on this, but didn't find any mention to the BIOS version he had on that thread, though someone else asked. That was actually the thread that inspired me to do this upgrade. :)

    I sent a PM to @GreuDeFumat some days ago, requesting more info, but chances to get a reply are low.

    Thank you for your answer @Puraw.

    Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you.

  • Skybluesky
    Skybluesky Member Posts: 66 Enthusiast WiFi Icon

    Hello everyone at the forum,

    I´m writing just to update on the CPU upgrade, in case anyone wants to try. So, I got an I7-640M to replace the original i3 that came with this Aspire 5742g and BIOS recognized it without any problem, so that was great.

    Now, I still have the old problem that laptop doesn´t get passed the Windows logo and shuts down even when trying automatic repair. I´ve ruled out the old CPU as a problem. The ram sticks didn´t look too good but they are working, I think, since they are recognized at BIOS and trying other ram sticks produced the usual shutdown too. GPU memory is also recognized in BIOS (512MB). I guess it's likely a motherboard issue, something I was hoping it wouldn´t be, as I likely won´t replace it.

    Still, I think the CPU was recognized well and would have worked with this aspire, which would have been awesome.

    Good luck to anyone wanting to make an upgrade - I think it´s worth a try.

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