Dell Inspiron n7010

[Aptiva]

I was recently given an older Dell laptop (N7010) which uses a socket G2 and Intel HM57 chipset. It currently has a Pentium P6200 (2.13GHz) processor. Everything I have been reading thus far has said that I should be able to upgrade the processor to a 3rd gen i7. I'm looking at the i7-3540M which shares the same lithography and tdp as the P6200.

I'm aware that upgrading laptops can be tricky due to cooling, which I am also looking into a way to take care of this, but before I make a decision, I was wondering is this even possible? I can likely get a bios with the necessary microcode (I know it is also risky and I'm not concerned about turning this thing into a paperweight as it was free after all).

[crazybubba64]

Your machine only supports first-gen dual-core Core i-series mobiles. (unless you have a dedicated GPU, then quads are OK)

Your best option would be the i7-620M or i7-640M.

[Aptiva]

So despite the socket G2 and chipset the 1st gen is my only option?

Everything I have read from various sources says otherwise. Not trying to argue, just stating I have done some research and just wanted to see if anyone else had upgraded this laptop with any success.

Edit:
http://www.cpu-world.com/Sockets/Socket%20G2%20(rPGA988B).html

Shows that 3rd gen dual should work

https://www.game-debate.com/motherboard/index.php?mot_id=1637&cpuList=Intel%20HM57

Shows that the chipset is compatible.

So in theory if I can add the microcode it will work, no?

[wren4777]

Those sites are wrong, HM57 is limited to first gen.

[crazybubba64]