Upgrading Notebook

[Delta4907]

I recently acquired an Acer Aspire 5532, and want to upgrade some components. I've never done this before so I'd like some advice on where to buy and anything on replacing the parts. Here are the basic specs:

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) Processor TF-36, ~2.0GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics, up to 896MB HyperMemory
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

I was looking to upgrade the processor to a higher gigahertz, and a dual-core. Also wanted to add 2 GB to the RAM. I found these by searching google:
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=B5FA03A2A5CA7304
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=8546EEA9A5CA7304
I have no idea what the difference is with these, if one works and the other doesn't or what. Any help would be appreciated.

[Tucker933]

You're likely going to be very limited when it comes to processor upgrades as laptops have their own custom integrated heatsinks and are really only designed to cool a specific processor. Higher frequency processors often require more power, which will increase the heat generated as a result. Laptops are extremely susceptible to overheating, which is also why any sort of overclocking is out of the question for laptops.

However when if comes to your RAM, you have a lot of options as that is the most commonly upgraded and simple aspect of any computer. Of course make sure your laptop supports DDR2, which is the ram type you have picked out. The only differences between those two sets of RAM is their frequency, the first linked set is the fastest, operating at 800MHz opposed to the 667MHz chips. That's a fairly decent speed for a laptop.

[Delta4907]

I searched Google and found a few stories on people upgrading the processor for aspire 5532 laptops so it should be ok, although I wouldn't know what to look for in terms of names and other info (besides what I mentioned). Also I might want to upgrade the video card, not sure on that yet. Any recommendations?

Found this (http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Turion-Dual-core-TL-60-Processor/dp/B003IKTYK6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1289008332&sr=1-1), but I need to find out my current cpu's voltage.

[Mr Buckshot]

For components like the CPU/GPU, don't even bother trying to upgrade them. The laptop is really designed for just one and only one chip, and trying to add in something better would mean more heat etc that leads to problems.

The only truly upgradeable components of a laptop are the RAM and the hard drive.

[Warsaw]

Wrong. Notebooks are designed around a specific maximum TDP. As long as your components don't exceed that TDP altogether, you are fine. Power draw and TDP are generally proportionally related, so as long as you stay within the TDP limit, you will be OK. Just go look at the configuration options available on your notebook; buy the parts that are better than yours but also available in a new one, since obviously those have been tested in your model.

[Delta4907]

I went on the manufacturers website, found my model and configuration, but the official listed upgrades only mention battery and memory, no processor upgrades. However I've seen reports of other people upgrading my model's processor. This processor's TDP is 25w. Anyone know the best place to purchase\search for notebook processors?

[Warsaw]

By your model, I just mean your model. Most laptop vendors have a "customize" option. Go in there and see what they have available. If it's in there, you can make it work in your laptop.

[Delta4907]

Thing is there isn't a customize option, only some upgrade pdf, which isn't much help. I'll probably get this (http://www.amazon.com/Processor-mobile-Turion-technology-Socket/dp/B003IKZZD6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1289248002&sr=8-5) processor as most people have claimed it to work on this computer. Is 10 watts a huge difference in TDP? The claims I read were replacing a TL-20, which was a TDP of 15 (but I have a TF-36, which has a TDP of 25)

[Llama Juice]

He means if you were to buy a new one I think. Like, when you order a new one it gives you all the options of stuff you can put in it.

[Delta4907]

Acer doesn't sell their computers on their website, only at retail stores\websites, so I can't really look at customization options.

[Warsaw]

Well, bullocks to them. Look for a higher-end SKU of your model, and base upgrades on that?