Can You Upgrade MBP Logic Board?

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Level 1

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Can You Upgrade MBP Logic Board?

OK, so I know people put this but I really cannot find anything proper on this subject, I know you cannot swap processors from the Core 2 Duo (The one I currently have in my 2009 MBP) to the Quad-Core i7, because they are soldered to the Logic Board. Although I have vaguely heard of people swapping Logic Boards, but that it is costly. If I find one cheap enough, can I exchange the boards, and if yes, how easy/hard will it be?

N.B. : I have a 2009 MBP, Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.53 GHz, 4GB 1067 Mhz DDR3 Serial Number :

W89****T7XJ

Thanks Callum.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1), 2009

Posted on Sep 17, 2012 10:25 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 1, 2017 11:29 AM in response to Callum1500

my question is I have a MacBook Pro 15 inch and also a 13 The logic board from the fifteen is dead . If i swap out the logic board from the 13 and place it in the 15 case will it power the display for the 15 .

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Answer 2

Sep 17, 2012 10:52 AM in response to Callum1500

No. Different mounting points, power, port locations, etc.

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Answer 3

Sep 17, 2012 11:06 AM in response to Callum1500

As BobTheFisherman states - different mounting points.

The only way you can get a faster processor, is to install a logicboard that is the same year as your Macbook with a faster processor - since you have 2009 Macbook with the Nvidia chipset - maybe the 2010 models might fit since they too come with Nvidia chipsets.

Good luck - cost wise however, might as well buy a used or refurbished Macbook.

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Answer 4

Callum1500 Author

Level 1

3 points

Sep 17, 2012 11:08 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

Thanks for your reply,

Does anybody know of any upgrades from the Core 2 Duo Logic boards that will fit and actualy help the machine?

Thanks, Callum.

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Answer 5

Sep 17, 2012 11:12 AM in response to Callum1500

why not invest say $300......

that will upgrade your RAM to 8GB and get you a 256GB SSD.

doing a 8GB RAM and SSD upgrade will give you a nice performance boost.

Good luck

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Answer 6

Callum1500 Author

Level 1

3 points

Sep 17, 2012 11:13 AM in response to Bimmer 7 Series

Thanks, If I found one for breaking, and got it cheap enough would it actually be worth the hassle of swapping the boards for the performance gain? (temporarily forgetting the monetary costs)

Thanks, Callum

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Answer 7

Sep 17, 2012 11:14 AM in response to Callum1500

if it's the same model as yours - then it might work - don't even try it with a 2011 and up Macbook.

different logicboard pin out and might not even fit....Stick with a 2009 - 2010 with Nvidia chipset/video..

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Answer 8

Callum1500 Author

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3 points

Sep 17, 2012 11:14 AM in response to Bimmer 7 Series

Can you get a SSD for less than $300? Will consider that then.

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Answer 9

Sep 17, 2012 11:16 AM in response to Callum1500

Yes, 256GB and 240GB sells for around $200 to $250 depending on the brand.

if you want the fast ones - consider the Sandisk Extreme, Kingston HyperX ( I own this one ) or OCZ Vertex 4.

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Answer 10

Callum1500 Author

Level 1

3 points

Sep 17, 2012 11:18 AM in response to Bimmer 7 Series

Ok, Thanks again for the advice and will consider the SSD, Can you buy them from apple, or just on online, eg, eBay?

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Answer 11

Sep 17, 2012 11:20 AM in response to Callum1500

eBay will be cheapest.

Would be cheaper to buy a new MacBook than install a new logic board probably

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Answer 12

Sep 17, 2012 11:24 AM in response to Callum1500

Here are a list of SSD's selling for less than $250.....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008120%2060003850 0%20600038519&IsNodeId=1&name=SATA%20III

I personally use the Kingston Hyper X and Crucial M4.....Kingston being faster than the Crucial M4...

Now I enjoy a 13 sec boot time and very fast in opening and working with Photoshop.

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Answer 13

Callum1500 Author

Level 1

3 points

Sep 17, 2012 11:42 AM in response to Bimmer 7 Series

had a look and they are OK, some are there for less than £120, although do you think there will be more for a little less, eg more memory but slower respose, because they are all relativley fast compared to standard hard disks arent they?

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Answer 14

Sep 17, 2012 11:49 AM in response to Callum1500

in my case - i have two 2011 Macbook Pros. a 13 inch and a 15 inch - when i bumped the RAM to 16GB and swapped the drive to a SSD, my Macbook runs very fast.

I also have a late 2008 Macbook Uni - installed the maximum RAM which is 8GB and swapped the hard drive to a 128GB Kingston V200 SSD and now it is so fast - gave it to my niece and she tells me that it's faster than her 2010 Macbook Pro that died on her.

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Answer 15

Callum1500 Author

Level 1

3 points

Sep 17, 2012 12:04 PM in response to Bimmer 7 Series

Ok Thanks will look and see:-)

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