MBP 1,1-10,2 Creating the World's First Quad Core Mid-2012 13-inch MacBook Pro

[ExclusiveMac]

CPU upgrade on a mid-2012 13-inch MacBook Pro, upgrading it from its original dual-core Core i5-3210M CPU to a very odd quad-core Core i7-3615QE CPU. The "QE" series Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge CPUs are unique, as they are the only quad-core variants that share the same BGA footprint and pinout with the standard dual-core "M" series CPUs. The upgrade went without a hitch, and provided a huge increase in performance over the original CPU.

What do you think about it? You'll do it?

 

[velocityg4]

That's a really amazing upgrade. Made me feel bad about my soldering skills. I still struggle with simple surface mount caps.

 

[ExclusiveMac]

I have one, and would like to have that quad-core CPU for a better performance.

 

[b251]

I have access to a BGA rework station and want to try this by myself.

I have a defective MBP logic board laying around and wanted to test it before trying this on a functional device.

But whatever I do, the CPU does not come off. I preheated the board with 180 degrees Celsius for 2 minutes and exposed 280 degrees Celsius hot air to the CPU but it does not move in any way. I already applied a lot of flux around the CPU.

Does somebody know what’s the best method to desolder that chip?

Maybe @dosdude1 can further explain his soldering method in this video.

 

[dosdude1]

I have access to a BGA rework station and want to try this by myself.

I have a defective MBP logic board laying around and wanted to test it before trying this on a functional device.

But whatever I do, the CPU does not come off. I preheated the board with 180 degrees Celsius for 2 minutes and exposed 280 degrees Celsius hot air to the CPU but it does not move in any way. I already applied a lot of flux around the CPU.

Does somebody know what’s the best method to desolder that chip?

Maybe @dosdude1 can further explain his soldering method in this video.

It takes a bit of heating for the CPU to come off, usually around 4 - 5 minutes. You just need to periodically poke it lightly with a pair of tweezers while heating to determine if the solder is fully molten. Once it is, the chip can be removed.