Noob CPU upgrade help

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Harderbetterfaster

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May 11, 2014
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Okay so I'm doing my first ever CPU upgrade and for some reason I'm nervous about it, even though it hardly seems complicated. I have replaced every other component on PCs down to doing soldering, but have always been CPU-shy. So I have a TS140 Lenovo Server, which came with a i3-4130 (not bad for gaming actually for a i3) and I am about to buy a i7-4770s. I building a low power rig partly because I am stuck with Lenovo's proprietary PSU.

Question 1:
The i7-4770s comes with a CPU cooler, but the i3 has a nice server grade stock fan. Can still use it, or do I need to use the provided cooler. And if I use the provided cooler it already is thermal pasted for me. Should I still use my Artic Silver 5 and scrape off their stuff?

Question 2:
Will I need to modify BIOS settings at all just to get it to boot?

Question 3:
I have an antistatic wrist strap, and I notice people vary on what they say to unplug before messing with the cpu. Some say just unplug power from the wall, others say unplug everything attached the motherboard.

Question 4:
Doesn't Arctic 5 compound have little hash marks on the side of it to tell you how much to use on each application?

Question 5:
Anything else I should remember.



Here is my build when its done.
CPU: i7-4770s (i3-4130 now)
GPU: EVGA GTX 750 ti SC
RAM: 24gb DDR3 1600mhz
SSD: 2x Samsung 840 Pro 128gb in Raid 0, 32gb SSD Ubuntu boot drive
HDD: Hybrid 1tb SSHD by Seagate
ODD: LG Bluray-RE drive x12

PSU and MOBO are proprietary Lenevo boards. Took me a loooooong time to afford to get those parts together.
 
Solution
wolverine96
Yes, it would be vary rare for the CPU to not work, I just thought I would bring it up (testing with the stock cooler first). As soon as you know it works, I wouldn't worry about voiding the warranty by using the old heatsink. I don't know for sure if you would void the warranty in that situation.

The only reason I brought it up was to tell you to test it before you void the warranty.

And yes, rubbing alcohol is amazing at cleaning off thermal paste. I like to use half of a cotton ball. Then I use the other half to dry it off.
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JOOK-D

JOOK-D

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Aug 28, 2013
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1) Either would be fine. Low power / stock chips don't emit much heat. If you're to use the new stock one it comes with thermal paste pre-applied, no need for AS5 (it might drop temps a few deg C but it's not noticeable).

2) Considering I don't know your motherboard model, I can't say. Update to the most recent BIOS with your i3 still in and you'll be fine.

3) I've replaced several CPUs, I tend to leave the PC plugged into the wall, turned off at the socket and at the Power Supply. I've never disconnected anything else from the motherboard (unless it's in the way) and it's been fine.

4) A pea sized dot is enough.

5) When replacing the CPU cooler tighten the screws diagonally and only a little at a time to ensure the thermal paste spreads equally, and you don't put too much pressure on one side of the CPU at a time.
 
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wolverine96

wolverine96

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1. If you use a cooler other than the stock cooler in the box, you will void the warranty. I think you should be able to use the old cooler, but I'm not sure.

2. You should not need to modify any BIOS settings to get it to boot.

3. See my tutorial.

4. See this. It has lots of information and it's very helpful.

5. Make sure you test the CPU with the stock cooler (from the box) first. You don't want to void the warranty only to find out you had a defective CPU to begin with!

Hope this helps, and don't worry, it's really easy! Just make sure you do your research first!
 
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Powerbolt

Powerbolt

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Oct 21, 2013
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1.) Given that the i3 4130 and the i7 4770 are both LGA 1150 socket types -- your i3 stock fan should work. You need to be sure to clean ALL the thermal compound off everything before re-using anything. Arctic Silver 5 is just fine for re-application.

2.) You might update your BIOS just for good measure BEFORE installing the new CPU. It won't do any harm.

3.) I've swapped out a few CPU's, and I don't think it really matters all that much either way you do it. I usually just unplug it from the wall and hit the kill switch on the PSU just for good measure.

4.) No idea. Usually it only takes about a pea sized ball of thermal compound to cover the CPU.

5.) For cleaning thermal paste off components use rubbing alcohol. Other than that I think you've got your bases covered.
 
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Harderbetterfaster

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Yikes didn't realize warranty could get borked over the cooler. Is the thermal paste that comes with Intel cooler, the same, lesser, or better be comparison the the artic?

Thanks for the tips on BIOS updates. I updated them a few months ago, I'll see if they have had anything new come out.
 
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Powerbolt

Powerbolt

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It can get voided if you use anything other than a stock cooler if it was purchased from a retailer. Chances are astronomically low that any CPU would die within that time frame. In fact it's an fairly rare occurrence should one genuinely burn out. I wouldn't waste much time worrying about it honestly.

That being said, aftermarket is almost always better than anything stock. That much is applicable even outside of the realm of computers. You'd be better off with the Arctic, but like JOOK-D has said, the difference would be negligible.
 
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wolverine96

wolverine96

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Yes, it would be vary rare for the CPU to not work, I just thought I would bring it up (testing with the stock cooler first). As soon as you know it works, I wouldn't worry about voiding the warranty by using the old heatsink. I don't know for sure if you would void the warranty in that situation.

The only reason I brought it up was to tell you to test it before you void the warranty.

And yes, rubbing alcohol is amazing at cleaning off thermal paste. I like to use half of a cotton ball. Then I use the other half to dry it off.
 
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