Processor upgrade?

Question

How easy is it to upgrade a processor? At the moment I have a Pentium 4 Prescott 3.06ghz on a MSI MS-7174 motherboard, socket LGA 775. (I sound like I know what I'm talking about but I'm just copying and pasting!) Could I install the new pentium core 2 duo's like the E6600 or E6400. If so how hard is it? ie. will I have to reinstall windows? is it plug and play etc... Answer in lamens terms please!

Do I need to match certain figures like Bus Speed etc...?

Answer 1

Check your Mainboard manual for upgrading the chipset before you get started. If it needs it you should prepare to do it as soon as necessary.

First of all, if your socket is correct for the new CPU then the task is relatively easy.

Shut down all the power, unplug the computer from the wall, wait ten to fifteen second. Remove the case side panel, remove any static from your body by touching the case again, and see if you have a clear enough area to work through wires and other dangling stuff to get to the CPU's fan and/or Heatsink.

Undo the fan/heatsink holders and then carefully find the bar that is holding down the CPU in the socket. Figure out how to unlock the little bar without bending or breaking it. Once the release lever or bar is up take the next step.

The old CPU should lift out without any resistance. Might have some gooey stuff on it called, "heatsink grease" which you should get a dab of with your new CPU.

Carefully remove any dust, hair, greasy stuff, or dirt from the area. Then remove any static from your body by touching the case again. Now open Your new CPU's store wrappings and look to see where the aligning arrow/s is and set it down on the socket.

If it does not fall in you need to look again to make sure you have the little pins all lined up with the pin's holes in the socket. The CPU will fall into the socket when it is properly aligned and if it will actually fit into that socket on your Main Board.

If it does sink in nicely move the little bar to the lock down clip and reset it. Now carefully get some heat sink grease on you finger and spread a thin layer over the top of the new CPU. Wipe off the heat sinks bottom of Old Grease and then set it back on the CPU area and replace the holding clips or screws.

Reconnect the fans, if you had any, and then the power cord. And then!

Okay, you are almost ready. Now the important stuff. Your BIOS on the Main or Mother Board may need to have its chipset updated. If not then you are all set to fire up your computer and let the mother board get acquainted with its new CPU...

Check your Mainboard manual for upgrading the chipset before you get started.

Answer 2

If you have a compatible processor (i.e. the same socket type, in your case LGA775), it's simple. You have to:

* remove the cooler
* remove the old CPU
* place the new CPU
* apply some thermal paste
* replace the cooler

Removing the cooler is perhaps the trickiest and most hazard-prone part. Often the cooler is heavy and/or mounted very tightly, and removing one corner at a time can stress the chip, the socket or the board. If it's screwed or bolted in place, I suggest that if you don't have specific removal instructions loosen all the screws very evenly: Loosen one bolt by a turn, repeat for all the other bolts, then repeat until it's loose. It's best to remove the pressure gently and evenly. If there's a mounting rack you might want to remove that as well just so you can get at the CPU easily.

The CPU should be mounted with a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket. There's usually a lever of some sort that you have to flip to release the processor. It also may look like a clip. Do not attempt to remove the processor if you have to apply any force at all to push it or pull it. You should be able to lift it out without any resistance.

The rest should be easy. Put the new CPU in the socket, again it should just fall right in without any need to push.

You must apply thermal paste for any modern CPU. Just a thin coat is fine. If you skip this you risk burning the CPU out.

Replace the lever or clip for your ZIF socket and replace the cooler, either according to instructions or reverse of how you removed it: slowly and evenly.

Then power up. You're done!

Answer 3

Unfortunately your motherboard doesn't support anything higher than a P4 Prescott. So no Pentium D and no Core 2 Duo. If it was compatible, though, installing it would be pretty easy. You just have to remove the heatsink/fan unit from the old processor, remove the old processor, put the new one in, add some thermal grease, and install the heatsink/fan on top of it. You wouldn't have to reinstall Windows, but you might have to reactivate it, which is a pretty painless procedure. If you decide to replace your motherboard so you can upgrade your processor, you may have to replace your ram. Core 2 motherboards require DDR2 ram, which you may or may not have.

Answer 4

Sounds like your motherboard would support a dual core. Its not too difficult, you just have to be really gentle in taking out fans and removing and then putting the new proccesor in. You don't have to reinstall windows because its the same deal as if you were installing a printer except theres probably no software you need to put on your computer. Just follow the instalation instructions to a tee and keep one hand touching some other metal part of the computer so you don't use static electricity to short anything out

Answer 5

I think you should wait a while. Your current setup will still play new games rather nicely. I personally went from a 775 setup to a new 1155 socket board and i5 processor for 400 bucks. I can tell you the speed difference is hardly noticeable. The best thing you could probably do is take the money you have and get a nice Solid State drive.

Answer 6

You need to verify that the motherboard can accept the new CPU. In this case, I don't believe the MSI MS-7174 can take the core2 duo CPU. (I think that motherboard only supports P4 Prescott (up to 519) and Celeron D CPUs.)

In any case, if the motherboard can handle it, it's just a swap - no OS reload would be needed.

Answer 7

its pretty basic,processors come in scoket sizes and its just a case of removing the heatsink and undo the lever next to the processor and remove the old c.p.u
then gently drop the new c.p.u into place,dont force it,it will only go in one way,then lock the lever and apply some thermal compound,spread lightly and attach the heatsink and plug in the c.p.u fan
clock speeds are important,pentium 4,s have a f.s.b(front side bus) of 800mhz(really 200mhz,but because the proceesor is quad pumped it equates to 800mhz)
intel core duos have f.s.b,s of 1066mhz(http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=430631) but there are 800mhz f.s.b versions(http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=532081)
as for reinstalling windows,i would do it as in my opinion a processor upgrade warrants a reinstall,but its not nessecary
also you sometimes need to update your b.i.o.s,if this is needed,then a windows re-install will be neede
as there are so any factors to take into consideration,its best to get all the avalible info before you upgrade the processor,its not hard to do,its the fine tuning after that things may go wrong
here are some useful links to help you
...........http://www.cteckpc.com/cpu_upgrading.htm......
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,897578,00.asp
i hope this has helped
good luck

Answer 8

Only if your mother board supports duo,No you will not have to reinstall windows,All processors are (plug and play).

Answer 9

easy as plug and play

I build computers for a living- its pretty simiple just rember that the proceesor fan is not as fragile as you think and you'll have the old one out, and the new one in, in no time at all

Answer 10

you will need a new mother board if you want to upgrade,your present set up is a 32bit processor,the new ones are 64 bit.