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Tech question - Processor upgrade
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| Krypton |
Thought I'de get a fast response if I posted in here...
I'm going to be taking out my...
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
and installing an...
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
Now my question is. How should I do this? Is it ok if I just take out the old, put in the new one? Will my computer start up like normal? Or is there some fancy thing I have to do? I asked my friend about it and he said, "You might have to reinstall the operating system. But since you're exchanging one Intel dual-core for another, you probably won't have to." If I have to reinstall my Window XP, doesn't that mean I will have to wipe out my entire hard drive? I really don't even want to reinstall the OS, so I'm hoping one of you will tell me I don't have to. There aren't any drivers to install for a micro processor right?
I will also be upgrading my video card and RAM. I know the video card will need to have a driver installed. What about the RAM. Isn't the RAM just connect the cards, and they just start working? |
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| Capitalizt |
Find out exactly what type of motherboard you have an update the BIOS first. The E8400 is a newer generation chip that may need a BIOS update to run on your machine.
Go to the motherboard manufacturer's website and download the newest version. Some manufacturers have a utility that will flash it within Windows but usually the safest way is to stick it on a USB thumb drive and update within the BIOS menu. Reboot the computer and press delete repeatedly usually to enter BIOS (sometimes its a different key.F8 or F12) and you can navigate around to find the BIOS update section, then use the thumb drive to flash to the newest BIOS.
Once that is done, you should be good to go.
P.S. Make sure to clean the thermal paste off your CPU fan with rubbing alcohol..then reapply a fresh layer. You only need a PAPER THIN layer of arctic silver 5 for best cooling results: http://www.svc.com/as5-3g.html |
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| Project-K |
| Ram should be plug & play, and the GPU will need drivers. When you're updating that many parts it's really easier to just reformat the whole thing and start from scratch. Best way to make sure you don't have any residual software causing conflicts. |
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| Krypton |
| quote: | Originally posted by Capitalizt
Find out exactly what type of motherboard you have an update the BIOS first. The E8400 is a newer generation chip that may need a BIOS update to run on your machine.
Go to the motherboard manufacturer's website and download the newest version. Some manufacturers have a utility that will flash it within Windows but usually the safest way is to stick it on a USB thumb drive and update within the BIOS menu. Reboot the computer and press delete repeatedly usually to enter BIOS (sometimes its a different key.F8 or F12) and you can navigate around to find the BIOS update section, then use the thumb drive to flash to the newest BIOS.
Once that is done, you should be good to go.
P.S. Make sure to clean the thermal paste off your CPU fan with rubbing alcohol..then reapply a fresh layer. You only need a PAPER THIN layer of arctic silver 5 for best cooling results: http://www.svc.com/as5-3g.html |
I'm going to update the BIOS right now. So once I do that, I should have no problem taking out the old processor, inserting the new one, and turning the computer back on? |
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| Krypton |
| How about if I decided to upgrade my mother board to? Anything special I'de need to do? |
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| BTG |
| you should be able to switch the cpu without issue...just make sure your mobo supports it. |
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| gehzumteufel |
| The ONLY worry you need to have about upgrading ram, is NEVER go over 3gb if you have a 32bit windows install. You can NOT use anything over 3gb on 32bit windows. |
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| Krypton |
| quote: | Originally posted by gehzumteufel
The ONLY worry you need to have about upgrading ram, is NEVER go over 3gb if you have a 32bit windows install. You can NOT use anything over 3gb on 32bit windows. |
Why is that? My computer is a 32bit Windows system. So should I just upgrade to 3GB RAM? |
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| gehzumteufel |
| quote: | Originally posted by Krypton
Why is that? My computer is a 32bit Windows system. So should I just upgrade to 3GB RAM? |
If you want to know, there is a large article on the technical reasons behind it, but just trust me if you don't want to know. It has to do with an old architecture problem that was never addressed. It doesn't matter what you upgrade to, I was just warning you NOT to go over 3gb if you have a 32bit windows. |
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| Krypton |
| quote: | Originally posted by gehzumteufel
If you want to know, there is a large article on the technical reasons behind it, but just trust me if you don't want to know. It has to do with an old architecture problem that was never addressed. It doesn't matter what you upgrade to, I was just warning you NOT to go over 3gb if you have a 32bit windows. |
Duly noted. I'll probably take it to 3GB and no more. |
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| r5a |
Terrible suggestions in this thread.
First off, why did you even consider that as an upgrade? If you do any 'upgrade' go to a C2Q Q9950 or wait a bit more till the new Core i7's come down in price.
Secondly, since its a Socket 775 that your upgrading to, your mobo will support it (most 775 mobos have a wide range of cpu support in v1 they include almost all c2d and c2qs) and it will fit.
Thrid, the rule of thumb when you upgrade CPUs is do to a new install of XP I was going to say it'd be okay in this case since its really just a faster clocked core, you'd be okay but your uploading GFX as well, just handle a new XP.
Fourth, do not get 3GB of ram, you're pretty ed. 2/4/6/8 is the only best configs you can do.
Questions? Ask. |
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| Project-K |
| quote: | Originally posted by r5a
Questions? Ask. |
Why are you such a douchebag? |
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