Discussion Forums > Technology
Upgrading CPU
ant900:
--- Quote from: Kasumi X on April 14, 2010, 10:07:18 PM ---Strange how I'm making my first post here instead of somewhere else... :P
Anyway, I build systems as a hobby (and also as a side income to support the missus), and even though many have already posted here, I'll go ahead and post my input.
Nice choice of CPU first of all, it's a good upgrade from a Core 2 Quad. Since you're replacing both the CPU and Mobo, the obviously different hardware will more than likely require you to re-activate your copy of Windows XP, unless you get extremely lucky. Though with Microsoft's recent tactics at anti-piracy you'll probably be forced to buy another product key for it, which shouldn't cost more than $100 the last time I checked.
--- End quote ---
Thankfully a CD Key won't be any problem since I have one or two extra copies of XP lying around somewhere.
--- Quote ---Unless you feel confident enough to make the upgrade to Windows 7, which I strongly recommend. Mainly because it was designed to support the newer Intel i7 CPU's and LGA1156/1366 sockets, where XP wasn't. Technically, it should still run, but tell Mobo manufacturers that. A few Mobo's still support XP, but most don't because of Microsoft trying to push the upgrade to Vista/7 which results in you getting a BSOD, even if you use safemode. If you want to try your luck with keeping XP, try procuring a copy of XP Professional x64. Yes, you will have to do a clean install, but the chances of it working on the new Mobo are much higher than a copy of 32-bit XP. Since you'll probably have to purchase a new product key anyway (unless you're a crafty pirate like myself), it's better off anyway since a clean install on a new/rebuilt system is better than trying to fudge it into working properly. Any products you have installed that use a hardware ID will deactivate anyway because of the change.
--- End quote ---
If I do have to do a clean install I figure I might as well go with Win7 like everyone has been saying. Have to upgrade sometime :( As for Pirating, I try to avoid pirating software as much as I can since that is where my own livelihood comes from (yes I know how that sounds coming from a person posting on a torrenting site).
--- Quote ---You're last concern is drivers, since at worst when it tries to load the old one's, you'll get a BSOD. Of course if you really want to keep XP, and not do a new install period, you could go into safemode and remove all the drivers for the old Mobo and install the ones for the new Mobo. I'd also uninstall the drivers for your GFX and Sound cards and get the newest ones for the best compatability. If anything, safemode will let you retrieve your files.
--- End quote ---
I'm guessing you are saying to go into safe mode before I switch out the hardware?
--- Quote ---Other benefits to at least switching to XP Pro x64 are the removal of the 3.25 GB RAM cap that 32-bit systems have. 7 is also just as zippy as XP, especially considering the CPU you will be using. Hope that helps. I'd post more, but the missus has me cooking. :P
--- End quote ---
Definitely, Thanks!
Also this is the Mobo I decided to go with. A bit expensive, but it is future proof (usb 3.0 and sata 6) and has good reviews on new egg.
nstgc:
There is no such thing as future-proofing. I find that its best to buy not so new stuff more frequently. Its cheaper to do it that way. I'd rather upgrade a few things every year than upgrade those same things every 4 years.
ant900:
--- Quote from: nstgc on April 15, 2010, 08:56:40 PM ---There is no such thing as future-proofing. I find that its best to buy not so new stuff more frequently. Its cheaper to do it that way. I'd rather upgrade a few things every year than upgrade those same things every 4 years.
--- End quote ---
Obviously it won't be 100% future proof, but I don't plan on spending money on hardware every year, hell I wasn't even expecting to do this upgrade, but the i7 just sort of dropped out of the sky so I figured I might as well use it. After this upgrade I don't plan on doing anything else beyond utilizing SLI for quite a while (much more than 4 years).
kyanwan:
--- Quote from: ant900 on April 14, 2010, 09:53:24 PM ---
--- Quote from: kyanwan on April 14, 2010, 06:08:33 PM ---
--- Quote from: Lupin on April 02, 2010, 07:12:16 PM ---1. Backup your stuff
2. Uninstall all drivers from the hardware you want to replace
3. Replace the hardware
4. Pray to your god(s) if you have any that things will go well
5. Turn on the computer
The worst you can encounter is a BSOD which would mean a reinstall. The best you can expect is a reactivation since you probably changed three(?) hardware in your PC--processor, motherboard and memory.
--- End quote ---
If swapping your MB you would need to switch your PC from ACPI to Standard. If your system detection fucks up, though - you'll be stuck on Standard PC - and a reinstall or in-place install will be necessary.
If you're just swapping out the CPU though ... I don't really see any reason why you would need to go nuts.
I just swapped the whole board, memory, and CPU out of 2 XP systems here. I ripped out the drivers - then let windows restart. Unfortunately - needed to do in-place installs of XP on both systems as well.
It was a couple hours each - BUT - it was a WHOLE shitload faster than reinstalling all the software and crap on both systems.
--- End quote ---
My new CPU is a different Socket from my current so I have to switch out both.
--- End quote ---
Yeah - so uninstall all your chipset, video, usb drivers - anything around your motherboard. Reboot.
After your reboot - go into your Device Manager - click on "Computer" and change it from "ACPI PC" to "Standard PC"
After you change it - shut down your computer, DO NOT RESTART
Install your new Motherboard, then boot.
Once you boot up - go to Device Manager, and make sure it says "ACPI PC" in there where you changed the setting. If it DOESN'T say "ACPI PC" - you'll need to do an in-place upgrade ( repair install ) of your windows copy.
Uninstalling those drivers though, if you didn't do that - an in-place install would probably never work - for me, it always BSOD'd. I just did this a couple times, worked great. It saves a load of time. :)
--- Quote from: ant900 on April 15, 2010, 09:58:19 PM ---
--- Quote from: nstgc on April 15, 2010, 08:56:40 PM ---There is no such thing as future-proofing. I find that its best to buy not so new stuff more frequently. Its cheaper to do it that way. I'd rather upgrade a few things every year than upgrade those same things every 4 years.
--- End quote ---
Obviously it won't be 100% future proof, but I don't plan on spending money on hardware every year, hell I wasn't even expecting to do this upgrade, but the i7 just sort of dropped out of the sky so I figured I might as well use it. After this upgrade I don't plan on doing anything else beyond utilizing SLI for quite a while (much more than 4 years).
--- End quote ---
Yeah - you'll never be able to future proof fully - but if you put as much money as you can into getting the most modern motherboard, and a really beefy video card - you'll be set. Then you can skimp on the CPU a little - and upgrade it a little down the road. That's how I usually do it if I don't have the $ at the time I'm doing an upgrade. I never ever skimp on the video card or motherboard though.
I'd stay away from SLI myself - I prefer getting a single bad-ass card rather than two half-ass cards. If you wanted SLI that bad - soon as you get the cash then do it with the two bad-ass cards once you can get the second.
nstgc:
--- Quote from: ant900 on April 15, 2010, 09:58:19 PM ---
--- Quote from: nstgc on April 15, 2010, 08:56:40 PM ---There is no such thing as future-proofing. I find that its best to buy not so new stuff more frequently. Its cheaper to do it that way. I'd rather upgrade a few things every year than upgrade those same things every 4 years.
--- End quote ---
Obviously it won't be 100% future proof, but I don't plan on spending money on hardware every year, hell I wasn't even expecting to do this upgrade, but the i7 just sort of dropped out of the sky so I figured I might as well use it. After this upgrade I don't plan on doing anything else beyond utilizing SLI for quite a while (much more than 4 years).
--- End quote ---
Actually its cheaper to upgrade a few components every year to keep them up than it is to upgrade everything every 4 years.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version