How to Upgrade a Processor

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Turn off your PC and remove the power cable.

   Do a Google search or ask a computer technician if your current motherboard model supports a newer processor.Find out also if your motherboard is a 32-bit or a 64-bit one.
   
   The major sockets are:
   Socket 478:
   Intel Pentium 4, Celeron, Pentium 4 Extreme Edition Socket 479:
   Intel Pentium M, Celeron M, Core Solo, Core Duo Socket LGA775:
   Intel Pentium D, Pentium 4, Celeron D, Pentium Extreme Edition, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad.
   
   Socket LGA1156:
   Intel Celeron, Pentium, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 Clarkdale/Lynnfield Socket LGA1366:
   Intel Core i7 (9xx), Xeon Socket LGA2011:
   Intel Core i7 Sandy Bridge-E (38, 39xxx), Core i7 Ivy Bridge-E (48, 49xxx), Xeon E5 v1 and v2 Socket LGA1155:
   Intel Celeron, Pentium, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 Sandy/Ivy Bridge Socket LGA1150:
   Intel Celeron, Pentium, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 Haswell/Broadwell Socket LGA2011-3:
   Intel Core i7-58xxK/59xxK/68xxK/69xxK, Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition (5960X/6950X) Socket LGA1151:
   Intel Skylake/Kaby Lake/Coffee Lake/Cannonlake Pentium, Celeron, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Xeon E3 v5 (only use with Intel C232 or C236 chipset) Socket 939:
   AMD 64, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64 FX, Sempron, Opteron Socket 940:
   AMD Athlon 64 FX, Opteron Socket AM1:
   AMD Sempron/Athlon xxxx APU Socket AM2/AM2+:
   AMD Athlon 64, FX, Opteron, Phenom Socket AM3:
   Sempron 100, Athlon II X2, X3, X4, Phenom II X2, X3, X4, X6 Socket AM3+:
   AMD FX X4, X6, X8 Socket FM1:
   AMD Llano APU X2, x3, X4 Socket FM2/FM2+:
   AMD Trinity/Richland/Kaveri APU X2, X4, Athlon X4 , If not, go to Part
   2. ,,,,,,, Open up your case, unclip the Heatsink off the retaining board, and pull the the heatsink off.
   
   Some heatsinks require a screwdriver or other proprietary tool to remove (Zalman is notorious for this). , Do this by pulling it out, and then pulling it up.
   
   Gently lift your old CPU off of the socket. , Line up the gold triangle on the CPU with the one on the socket, and gently let the CPU fall in place.
   
   Do not force the CPU.
   
   If it is lined up correctly, it will drop right into place. , Take the included heatsink and clip it on using the instructions.
   
   If your heatsink doesn't have thermal paste or pads on it yet, apply a very thin layer of it.
   
   The thermal paste acts as a conductor, transferring the heat from the processor chip to the heat sink.
   
   If the heatsink includes a fan, plug it into its proper connector.
   
   Do not operate a CPU without thermal transfer material or a heatsink in place. ,, Now pull the CPU out. ,,, Look at your CPU manual. ,, Some small cables have a name written beside the port where it connects to the motherboard.
   
   This is usually very small.
   
   For example, it may read "FAN1" if it is a fan's power cable. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, if you didn't, congrats.
   
   If you did, better ask someone else to do it.
2. 2

   Step 2: Unscrew your computer's case and remove the cover.

3. 3

   Step 3: Identify your motherboard

4. 4

   Step 4: your current processor chip

5. 5

   Step 5: your RAM memory cards

6. 6

   Step 6: and your video card.

7. 7

   Step 7: Find out what kind socket your motherboard has.

8. 8

   Step 8: If your current motherboard supports the new processor you want

9. 9

   Step 9: buy the new processor at a computer hardware store of your choice and skip to part 3.

10. 10

    Step 10: Choose a motherboard that satisfies your criteria (which may depend on cost

11. 11

    Step 11: technical specifications

12. 12

    Step 12: or compatibility with your old hardware).

13. 13

    Step 13: If compatibility exists with all the old hardware

14. 14

    Step 14: jump to Part 3.

15. 15

    Step 15: Investigate the compatibility of your video card and RAM memory.

16. 16

    Step 16: If there is no compatibility with the video card or the new motherboard does not have an integrated video card on the motherboard

17. 17

    Step 17: insert a new compatible video card.

18. 18

    Step 18: If the new motherboard does not support the old RAM memory

19. 19

    Step 19: buy new compatible RAM memory cards.

20. 20

    Step 20: Jump to Part 4.

21. 21

    Step 21: Take out your old CPU.

22. 22

    Step 22: Open the lever on the side of the socket.

23. 23

    Step 23: Take the new CPU out of the box.

24. 24

    Step 24: Close the ZIF (zero insertion force) lever to lock the CPU.

25. 25

    Step 25: Jump to Part 5.

26. 26

    Step 26: If there is a screw

27. 27

    Step 27: unscrew it off the socket.

28. 28

    Step 28: Push the new CPU in

29. 29

    Step 29: lining it up like before.

30. 30

    Step 30: It will either be pushed in and held by force or a spring mechanism

31. 31

    Step 31: or screwed in place.

32. 32

    Step 32: Once you have the CPU

33. 33

    Step 33: it may or may not need a heatsink.

34. 34

    Step 34: Power up and enjoy your upgraded computer!

35. 35

    Step 35: Label each cable that is connected to the old motherboard and take note of the place where the cable comes from.

36. 36

    Step 36: Remove all the cards connected to the motherboard.

37. 37

    Step 37: Remove all cables connected to the motherboard.

38. 38

    Step 38: Remove the old processor with extreme care and store it in a static-free environment (plastic bags for this purpose are sold at Radio Shack).

39. 39

    Step 39: Unscrew and remove the old motherboard.

40. 40

    Step 40: Replace the motherboard.

41. 41

    Step 41: Replace the motherboard's screws.

42. 42

    Step 42: Insert the new processor.

43. 43

    Step 43: Make sure your new processor is correctly placed and fastened to the motherboard.

44. 44

    Step 44: Rewire the motherboard.

45. 45

    Step 45: Re-card your motherboard (all of the cards go in the place they fit in).

46. 46

    Step 46: Go to Part 6.

47. 47

    Step 47: Put the PC's cover back on.

48. 48

    Step 48: Replace the screws in the case.

49. 49

    Step 49: Rewire and reconnect the power cord

50. 50

    Step 50: keyboard

51. 51

    Step 51: monitor

52. 52

    Step 52: and other connections.

53. 53

    Step 53: Boot your computer and check to see if you messed up anything.

Detailed Guide

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