VGN-AW Quad Core Mod
Normally, the VGN-AW does not support quad core CPUs, and installing one will result in the laptop not booting; however with 2 simple modifications, you can get a quad core CPU working in your VGN-AW. This will greatly improve performance and make it even more usable on modern operating systems such as Windows 10 or 11. It's almost like Sony wanted to make a quad core AW, as the heatsink will fit the 2 dies perfectly.
You have an option of 3 CPUs for this mod, which are: Core 2 Quad Q9000 - 2GHz, 6MB cache, 45W TDP (least expensive, can be found for less than $15 on AliExpress) Core 2 Quad Q9100 - 2.26GHz, 12MB cache, 45W TDP Core 2 Quad QX9300 - 2.53GHz, 12MB cache, 45W TDP (most expensive, but the fastest Socket P CPU ever made.)
Items needed
- VGN-AW (any model, even a grey one!)
- Soldering iron
- CPU, this must be one you are willing to sacrifice as you need to break off various pins, if you are not confident practice on a low end CPU before doing this.
Procedure
Result
Once the mod is complete, your AW should now be running a Core 2 Quad CPU. Congrats! Now you can enjoy the VGN-AW Sony never made.
- Make sure to apply a good quality thermal paste to the laptop, PTM7950 is a very good option as it completely eliminates pump-out on laptops. It is also a cheap option if you order from sites such as AliExpress. You want a thermal paste that is very viscous to prevent pump out, such as Gelid GC-Extreme.
- Slightly bend the screw points on the heatsink up slightly, this puts more pressure on the chips enabling better contact.
- Clean the cooling system of the AW regularly, at least once a year so that it stays running cool.
Resources
information on the NVIDIA bumpgate issue, as well as specific GPU models affected