Do you have to replace the processor if you replace the Motherboard?

Question

I was told that my motherboard was bad and needed to be replaced. The computer still didn't work, and a different shop said that the processor should always be replaced at the same time as the motherboard, and that the proc now needed to be replaced.
Is this true? I suspect that the Motherboard was never bad, and that the proc was the problem the whole time.

Answer 1

Becasue there is very limited compatability between mother borads and processors, unless the board was replace with the same make and model, it is probably not going to work with hyour processor.

BUT if the was not the right board for your processor, the tech should not have been able to physcially fit the processor into the new board. So I suspect the two were compatible.

It is more likely that whatever damaged the system board also damaged the processor. That happens more often then not. So the recommendation is that you replace them both at the same time. It is not an absolute "must" that you do them both, but it is recommended. Last thing you want is to put a bad processor into a new board (or vice versa) and damage the new part.

Answer 2

A processor doesn't always need to be replaced at the same time as a motherboard. What often happens though is when you get a new motherboard, it will use a different processor socket. So if your old mobo could only rock Socket 939s, and your new one is Socket AM2, you will obviously need to get a new processor.

In your case, hard to tell what was up since we don't know exactly what happened w/ your system (lock ups, won't boot..) And we didn't see your CPU (bent pins?, fried from Overclocking..etc)

Answer 3

Sounds to me like who ever replaced your motherboard didn't check for compatibility with your CPU. In that case you will require a new CPU. No it is not necessary to change the CPU when you change the motherboard usually. However it is not unusual for a dealer, or repair place to say you do to pad the bill. You should always research to find out what CPU will go with what motherboard, when you are going to have that done. An informed consumer is harder to cheat. Sorry.

Answer 4

if your computer shorted or what ever it is a good idea to replace every thign becuse in the long run you mit have to any ways but soem tiem a cpu can fry and leave the rest of the pc working fine for days or weeks or years but then again it can fry your brand new $100-1000 dollor cpu