2007-09-05 05:40:31 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Most of the time, swapping the CPU will not require a re-install of windows.
Especially if you stay in the same processor family eg athlon, pentium 4, etc
2007-09-05 05:43:28 · answer #1 · answered by Shwaa 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Windows XP Product Activation Code is based on a combination of 10 system hardware settings, including CPU, NIC card, RAM, Video card, sound card, etc. For most desktop systems, you can change up to six items, however changing the same component repeatedly counts only as one change. Also, adding additional components doesn't count as a change. If you purchased a new PC with Windows XP preloaded from the manufacturer, the product ID is linked to the BIOS, so you can technically change as many hardware components as you wish, as long as you don't change the system BIOS
2007-09-06 01:25:53 · answer #2 · answered by THE ONE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you have the bios that supports the bigger cpu. Go to motherboard site and look for the cpu support for your board. Make sure your bios is at least what you need and that, if the site shows you need a certain revision of your board that you have at least that revision(shows on board by model number). Operating system doesn't care what cpu you have as long as it meets it's minimum requirements.
2007-09-05 05:50:33 · answer #3 · answered by s j 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can swap them.
I assume though that you already checked for compatibility etc.
The changes that need to be made by swapping are in the BIOS, not necessarily Windows.
2007-09-05 05:44:18 · answer #4 · answered by Michael H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can replace the CPU as long as the motherboard / BIOS supports the new one. The BIOS will detect the CPU and windows will detect the BIOS info
2007-09-05 05:44:40 · answer #5 · answered by Z 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can except that you need to make sure that your mainboard will support the type of CPU that you want to put on it. If it doesn't, it won't work. You also might have to reinstall your applications.
2007-09-05 05:43:33 · answer #6 · answered by Blue Jean 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hardware and software do not bump heads, If they did you would be noware
2007-09-05 05:45:29 · answer #7 · answered by vulcan 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you can change them out and not have to reformat your hard drive.
2007-09-05 05:45:35 · answer #8 · answered by Philip 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋