Q&A for How to Upgrade a Processor

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Can I upgrade CPU without changing motherboard?

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido

Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Answer

Laptop processors are dependent on the motherboard. If your laptop motherboard has a ball and solder system, where small pads on the processor are soldered to a ball system, you can’t upgrade your processor. On some machines, you can easily use a screwdriver to replace the processor, but you’re still limited by the motherboard’s speed capability.

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Question

Can you upgrade the processor in a laptop?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

While it is possible to upgrade a laptop processor, it's less straightforward than with a PC; you need to be sure the laptop motherboard has the right socket for the upgraded processor. Depending on the age of your laptop, this might be tricky. Moreover, opening the laptop often voids its warranty, mostly because you’re likely to break things permanently, so you really need to know what you're doing. Finally, it’s usually cheaper to get a new laptop than to upgrade your old one’s processor but this might depend on exactly what you’re trying to get out of the upgrade.

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Question

Do I have to change something on BIOS or anything?

Community Answer

Usually, no. If you have overclocked your older processor, or you would like to overclock the new one, then yes, you will need to change some settings. But in most cases, the BIOS will adjust itself automatically, if there is anything to adjust in the first place.

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Question

Do I just change it? I don't have to more software or files around?

Community Answer

Yes, you can simply change the CPU. Files are not stored within the CPU, it is a processor of information. Data is stored within the hard drives and partly the RAM sticks.

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Question

If I fail upgrading my processor, will I lose anything on my computer?

Community Answer

Not really, because data is stored on the hard drive of your computer, but you need to make sure your processor is compatible with your motherboard.

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Question

What if the PC keeps restarting after I have exchanged a Core i3 processor for a Core i5 processor?

Community Answer

There might be some incompatibility between the motherboard and the new processor, or the restart might be caused by overheating of the processor. Check the TDP of your new processor and that of the heat sink. If the rated TDP for which the heat sink is lower, try upgrading to a better heat sink. If this doesn't work then consult a technician.

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Question

Which RAM will be suitable for Intel(R), Pentium(R), or CPU G620?

Community Answer

The RAM must be compatible with the motherboard. If you have the instructions that came with a desktop MB, read them. Otherwise, identify the make and model of your MB (you may have to open the computer to find out) and search online for the MB make and model along with the term RAM for a list of compatible RAM. If you are dealing with a laptop, you may look up the compatible RAM by checking the laptop's make and model.

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Question

Do I really need thermal paste for my CPU? If I don't use thermal paste, what will happen to my motherboard?

Community Answer

Thermal paste provides a conductor for the heat to travel into the heat sink. Without it, the CPU will heat up drastically, which will cause lasting damage if you continue to run it at that temperature.

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Question

Will a core 2 quad Q9650 processor support an Intel DQ965GF motherboard?

Community Answer

No, it does not look like it's supported. That motherboard seems to only support up to quad core q6700 and extreme quad core QX6800.

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Question

Do I have to reformat the hard drive after I upgrade the processor?

Community Answer

No, you don't, unless you're upgrading your hard disk drive to a new one, like a new solid state drive, a solid state hybrid drive, or just a larger-sized hard disk drive.

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Question

Should I download and install a BIOS update before changing my CPU?

Community Answer

If the CPU is overclockable, it's good idea to update your motherboard's BIOS first if any updates are available.

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Question

Should the old processor's drivers be deleted?

Paul Sargent

Community Answer

Processors don't have drivers, so there won't be any to delete.

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Question

What do processors look like?

Community Answer

They look like square boxes with the brand logo (e.g. Intel, AMD, or Nvidia) printed on the surface.

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Question

What do I do if my PC's processor dropped GHz?

Community Answer

It could just be that the processor is overheating. In that case, either get a new heat sink with better cooling or apply new, better thermal paste.

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Question

What do I do if I upgraded my processor and my computer won't turn on?

Community Answer

If it is failing to power up at all, then check your wiring and be sure all relevant cables have been reconnected to the correct places on your motherboard. Be sure to check that all removable parts are secured properly (RAM, GPU, etc.) if any of these are not correctly placed the computer may fail to power up. If it still won't turn on, try removing the processor and checking if there is damage to the pins connecting motherboard and CPU. if none of this works, it may be a dead board or CPU; try the old CPU again to find out.

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Question

How do I change the processor on my MacBook Pro?

WikiHowUser4282020

Community Answer

You can't do this. The only way is to buy a better model. This is the case with most newer laptops. Not just MacBooks.

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Question

I upgraded my processor but my video output and my USB don't work now. Could it be a compatibility issue?

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Community Answer

Possibly. Try putting the old processor back in. If that fails, you most likely broke the motherboard.

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Question

Will an HP 8308 (U3E1) motherboard support an Intel Core i7 Quad-Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Processor CPU ?

Community Answer

Yes, it does. Both the CPU and Motherboard Chipset are compatible with one another.

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