As we all know, the motherboard is the heart of the laptop. Everything your laptop does, from pressing a keyboard to displaying video games, depends on the motherboard. In other words, if your motherboard dies, your laptop dies.
In today’s article, you will learn the following:
- Can you replace the laptop motherboard
- The average span of laptop motherboards
- Common causes of motherboard failures
- Replacement and fixing costs
- How to replace laptop motherboard
- Finally, is it worth it
Without much further ado, let’s get straight into it.
Is it possible to change the motherboard of the laptop?
When you think about it, there are two reasons somebody may ask this question. First, your motherboard is damaged, and you want to replace it. Second, you want to upgrade your laptop either for gaming or something else.
Generally speaking, it is possible to change a laptop’s motherboard. However, it primarily depends on the laptop itself and your skill level. If your laptop can be easily dismantled and you have the necessary skills, you can do it.
Companies like HP, Dell, and Lenovo dont have motherboards that are designed to only fit into the cases they have made since there is no standard form factor for laptop motherboards. Unless you have access to parts suppliers, they are seldom sold separately to anyone except repair technicians.
For instance, you could find a cheap Dell Inspiron with a Pentium dual-core processor. Even if its motherboard won’t take an Intel i7, you might find a Dell Inspiron that was released simultaneously and used the same components. This would indicate that the MOBO inside was probably the same with the same screw mounts as the one in the cheap Inspiron with the Pentium processor. With that being said, you could replace the motherboard with a new one.
I know a guy who has done sideways motherboard swaps in which he replaced an Intel board in one unit with an AMD motherboard from an almost identical model.
In reality, it mainly depends on your skill more than anything, as most laptops are in fact a collection of an extremely stupid number of small screws which also vary in their length. Yes, length.
In other words, that means if you put the wrong screw into a hole and it fits, you will not find out about it instantly. Instead, you will find about it later when it suddenly pops out of the hole due to the lack of threads engaged in making a secure connection. Not only that, but you can also put a screw into a hole that is too long which can result in damage to some other part of the device (more often than not, it is some catastrophic damage).
I would also note that the chances of finding an eligible replacement motherboard for your laptop are actually very low since the motherboard’s design seems to change frequently. Dont forget this is all before considering the cost of this “new” motherboard (assuming you found one).
For the average Joe to upgrade a laptop motherboard, you will probably buy another laptop, gutting them both and then mixing them to create a refurbished one. You can occasionally see it done by tech support if a laptop is still under warranty and if they have an appropriate replacement that will fit the case model.
To recap, is it possible?
Yes. However, it is also pointless and likely more time and cost-consuming than simply replacing the whole laptop. It’s not something an average person will bother to do. Typically speaking, by the time you may need a new motherboard, other aspects of the hardware are ready to be replaced anyway.
Laptop motherboard average lifespan
During my research, I came across a very experienced technician. Here is what he told me.
When somebody asks the question – “How long does the motherboard last?” there are two answers. One is for how long the MOBO lasts until it dies, and the second is how long until you want to upgrade it.
How long until the laptop motherboard fails
The average lifespan of a laptop motherboard depends on several factors. If it is properly maintained, it may last for 20+ years. However, if the maintenance is inadequate, the MOBO may only last a year or two.
Maintaining your computer adequately is vital because it can extend its lifespan. The lifespan of your laptop primarily depends on how you use it. If you treat it well, it will last longer.
A laptop’s lifespan can be extended by performing light tasks on it. It may only last a few years if you utilize it for heavy tasks. The type of hardware you have and how you use it can have an impact on how long your motherboard lasts.
Mid-range versions typically last approximately five years, but high-end models can last up to ten years with proper care. Aside from the sort of task, how you use your laptop affects its lifespan. If you’re a heavy user, you might consider investing in a more expensive model.
If you don’t use it often, you should be able to get at least 5 years out of it. On the other hand, if you use your laptop on a daily basis for work or education, it can last a decade or more.
How long until you need to upgrade it
As we already know, you will probably not replace or upgrade a laptop motherboard for reasons we have set out before. Instead, you will most likely buy a new laptop.
If you are one of those folks that must use the latest software, you will likely find a near top-of-the-line computer when bought and will start having problems with the new software after 3-5 years. It sort of depends on what kinds of software and even the vendor.
Vendors often write off hardware that is a year or two old. This means the programs are usually made for that hardware. Other hardware will have to go through all sorts of trials to determine what instructions should be used. More recent software is almost always more bloated.
This means you will want more (and faster) memory, more (and faster) storage, and yet, more processor power. Running ancient programs on old hardware will never slow down unless you get some form of malware.
If you do not mind running older programs/older versions of programs, you can probably stay with a laptop motherboard for decades and not have a problem. On the other hand, you will probably need a new laptop every 3-5 years to keep in touch with the latest trends.
Is it worth replacing a laptop’s motherboard?
Finally, let’s examine whether replacing a laptop’s motherboard is worth it or not.
It depends on how much it will cost you to replace it.
For example, if you go to a repair shop, and they quote you a price of $500 for the job (including parts and labor) and you could buy another laptop with equivalent or better specifications for less than $500? In a situation such as that, it would NOT be cost-effective to replace the laptop motherboard.
On the other hand, if you took your laptop to a shop, and the cost of the repair with parts was only going to be $200, well, you are in a very tough position to find any laptop that would be priced so low. In some shops, there are the occasional $200 laptops, but I would never recommend those pieces of crap to anyone. So in a situation like this, it would be cost-effective to replace the laptop motherboard.
It really isn’t rocket science.
If the motherboard replacement costs less than replacing the whole laptop replacement, it may be worth it. On the other side, if it costs the same or even more, it is not worth it.
Unfortunately, you can’t expect people to produce a magic crystal ball and pull the answers out of thin air for you. You have actually to take your laptop to repair shops and get estimates.
The amusing thing is that after you get an estimate or two, you should find out for yourself whether it is worth it. Especially if they sell laptops at one of the places you got an estimate.
Of course, as laptops age, there are more parts to substitute. So depending on the age of the laptop, you may be looking at future repairs that would make the total expense of maintaining the laptop higher than the cost of the replacement.
Keep in mind that a replacement mobo might not be easily available (in fact, it probably won’t), so be prepared to spend a decent amount.
Note that, unlike a desktop, the laptop motherboard has the CPU and, in many cases, GPU soldered onto it; therefore, when you buy a new one, you are also buying any components that are soldered on and which means the motherboard is the most expensive replacement part you can buy for a laptop.
First, if you want a laptop for any kind of up solid gaming, forget it. Unlike desktops, laptop GPUs (with possible exceptions) can’t be updated, and laptop GPUs are low-powered and outdated within a few years of buying them.
For example, if your old laptop was a cheap one – unfamiliar brand, plastic case, fragile screen hinges, low-powered CPU or memory was not upgradable, and under 4GB it’s probably not worth it. Instead, you can buy a better one for less than it will cost to replace parts.
On the other hand, if you have an old high-end laptop, then it might be worth it, a replacement motherboard will be far cheaper than buying a new machine, and the only real improvement in modern laptops is probably the GPU.
For example, my friend has a 7-year-old high-end laptop, and he doesn’t need to use it for gaming, but it’s useful as a laptop for work. It’s still twice as fast as these modern low-end laptops as well.
Note: it is a gamble repairing any laptop since they are fairly delicate which means there is always a risk of damaging parts, especially connectors. It’s much easier with a desktop.
Suppose you can’t psychologically (and mathematically) handle risk vs reward. At that point, that is, if you can’t accept, for instance, that this time you lost $150 (plus the cost of a new one) trying to repair a laptop but the next time, you may save $1500+ by repairing one successfully, then I’d recommend you not to try, just shell out for a new one and save yourself the frustration of failure.
How to replace a laptop motherboard
Step 1)
Search online for the laptop manufacturer manual for detailed instructions on removing components.
Step 2)
Turn off the laptop and remove the battery from its power cable.
Step 3)
Close the laptop and set it upside down on a clear space area.
Step 4)
Unload static energy from your body by touching a grounded metal.
Step 5)
Take the screws and other attachments that secure hard discs and the optical. Remove and reserve them.
Step 6)
By referring to the manual, unscrew the memory access cover.
Step 7)
Lock the clamps by holding the memory chips and raise each module which is probably positioned in the same location as the wireless mini-PCI.
Step 8)
Disconnect antenna leads if it is present from the wireless card. Simply remove the clips and secure the card.
Step 9)
If the CPU is removable and the replacement mobo is not supplied yet, remove it and place it somewhere safe.
Step 10)
By holding the case together, remove all the screws at the bottom. Unless absolutely necessary, dont remove any screws that secure the LCD screen.
Step 11)
Open the case very carefully.
Step 12)
We recommend drawing an image showing the component location before anything else is further separated. This will help you to assemble parts after finishing.
Step 13)
Remove any connections linked to the mobo and unplug all cards that are not incorporated. Unscrew the mounting screws of the mobo.
Step 14)
Now remove the old motherboard, assemble the new one and install the hardware in the reverse sequence.
What are the common causes of motherboard failures?
There are numerous reasons:
Overheating
Getting too hot can cause electrical components to die, either temporarily or permanently. This is why laptops have fans, and mobile phones sometimes show a warning before shutting themselves down. If the fan fails, then the laptop motherboard can literally fry itself into oblivion.
If you are going to use a laptop for a long period, then certainly consider of using a cooling pad. Also, do not keep the laptop on your bed while using it as there is less ventilation.
Hardware damage
Dropping or flexing the laptop can cause the circuit boards inside it to crack or even cause components to become dislodged. Even the smallest cracks can cause circuit breaks or short circuits, thus rendering the motherboard unusable.
For instance, my friend had to change my Dell laptop’s motherboard twice – once, the port for charging was broken, and the headphone jack was broken the other time.
Water damage
Moisture can get into a laptop in many ways, even as stream and when it comes into contact with dirt or dust inside the laptop, it will become conductive, thus making an electrical short that causes permanent damage to the circuitry or chips.
Older laptops could be impacted by something called dry solder. This is when the material meant to connect a chip or other component to the circuit boards wasn’t in the proper amount, which means that a full electrical connection was not established, leading to periodic temporary failures that could become permanent over time. However, these are largely gone nowadays as manufacturers use surface-mounted components.
How much does it cost to replace/fix the motherboard on a laptop?
When it comes to costs, it is impossible to give one definite answer. The costs of either replacing or fixing a laptop motherboard depend on various factors, which include:
- The quality of the laptop – replacing/fixing a motherboard on high-end laptops will be much more expensive
- Which part of the motherboard needs to fix
- Price of the new motherboard or other components (some resistors are cheaper than others, for instance)
- Type of repair – H/W, S/W, or programming
After a little bit of research, we found that the price of replacing/fixing a motherboard varies from $200-$600.
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