HP EliteBook 8470p Upgrade

The HP EliteBook 8470p reminds me of the Dell Latitude in a way because of its accessibility to the components by removing a single screw and panel on the bottom of the notebook computer. However, there is at least one component that I saw that I didn't have access to. I think it's the chipset controller. Other than that, my least favorite part of ALL HP EliteBook notebook computers I have used to today is the touchpad. It's way to slick, it has NO tactile feel and it's just feels creepy.

The HP EliteBook 8470p specifications can be found here.

Specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core i5 3320M
• Chipset: Intel QM77
• Video: Intel HD Graphics 4000
• Display: 14.0 LED HD 1366x768
• Dimensions (WxH): 32.4 x 19.2cm (12.74 x 7.56in)
• Diagonal size: 35.6cm (14.0in)
• Surface treatment: Anti-glare
• Contrast ratio: 400:1 (typical)
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Brightness: 200 nit (typical)
• Backlight: LED
• PPI: 112ppi
• HDD: Western Digital Scorpio Black 320GB WD3200BEKT-60PVMT0 7200RPM
• Audio: IDT 92HD87 High Definition CODEC
• WLAN: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 62205ANHMW

Upgrade options:

• Processor: The HP EliteBook 8470p has an Intel Core i5 3320M and an Intel QM77 chipset. Based on the compatibility information available on the Intel ARK Advanced Search, you can upgrade to a maximum of either the Intel Core i7 3840QM (3.80GHz, 8MB cache) or the Intel Core i7 3940XM Extreme Edition (3.90GHz, 8MB cache). Remember to be wary of the Extreme Edition processors. They're not guaranteed to work. While the Intel Core i7 3840QM is 35W, same as the Intel Core i5 3320M, the Intel Core i7 3940XM is 55W.
• Memory: Per the Intel Core i5 3320M specifications, the max memory is 32GB. However, crucial.com lists the max memory for the 8470p at 16GB. As of today, 2014-09-02, I don't see any availability of 2x16GB SODIMM memory modules for a total of 32GB, but the possiblity exists.

Opening up the hood of the 8470p shows off

• Processor
• WLAN card
• Memory banks
• Fax/modem
• HDD

The hard drive bay is located on the lower left hand side of the notebook underneath what I think is the bluetooth adapter. I've already replaced the Western Digital Scorpio Black 320GB with an Intel 160GB SSD. It's lightning fast!

The Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 is a half height miniPCIe card, and there is space for another full height miniPCIe card. I'm guessing it's supposed to be the WWAN card as the antennas are already installed for the card.

Here's a picture of the inaccessible component. You can see the red epoxy around the chip. I'm guess it's the chipset controller. Right over it is the LSI HDA Modem.

Next up the CPU and heatsink and fan assembly. In the HP EliteBook 8470p, the fan and heatsink assembly are separate units. First remove the fan, then the heatsink. I've gotta say, the heatpipe is very short, but it seems to do the job. The 8470p stays nice and cool.

Intel Core i5 3320M

The heatfins were a little dusty when I pulled out the heatsink. Using a can of air, I cleaned out the small amount of collected dust.

I wanted to the replace the optical (CD/DVD-RW) drive with a 2nd HDD caddy, but the front bezel is custom. However, upon removal of the front bezel I found that it's STANDARD! Well standard is a non-existent word for bezels, but generally speaking, there are some commonalities. I used the iSesamo pry tool to help remove the bezel from the original optical drive.

Note, there are 4 clips on the bezel that attach it to the drive. The smaller clip next to the horizontal clip is the piece that secures it to the 2nd HDD caddy, so it'll be tough to remove. Essentially, I ended up FULLY disassembling the 2nd HDD caddy to remove it last time, but noticed a firm pull dislodged it, but it's scary because that clip is so narrow and small.

For anyone that's installed a typical 2nd HDD caddy, they generally come with the flat bezel.

2nd HDD caddy with the HP optical drive bezel attached.

2nd HDD caddy with the HP optical drive bezel attached and Toshiba 1TB HDD installed.