Three questions regarding CPUs from a noob. Help appreciated

Gorganoth · Jan 23, 2017

Hello everyone.

I've never upgraded a CPU before, but I'm considering doing that now.

From what I'm reading there are differences in the physical design between Intel CPUs and AMD CPUs, so if I currently have an Intel CPU on my computer, does that mean I need to change my motherboard before I can install an AMD CPU?

Do I need to reinstall Windows or other major software on my computer after upgrading a CPU, like I do after upgrading harddrive? Or does it just work like when I upgrade a graphics card?

Lastly, can I expect a CPU I buy to fit into my motherboard, or do I have to check compatibility somewhere? If so, where?

Many thanks in advance.

Stubbies · Jan 23, 2017

1.) Correct Intel and AMD do not share the same connection arrangements so no you will never be able to take an Intel motherboard and drop an AMD CPU into it.

2.) Depends on the upgrade. Ones that share the same socket would be quite easy to drop in without much if any fuss from Windows. Now a CPU and a motherboard change will freak windows out. It would have to find and install a bunch of new drivers to work properly with the new motherboard.

3.) That depends on the CPU. They MUST share the same connection arrangement. For example either the Skylake or Kaby Lake Intel CPUs are LGA1151 connections. Your motherboard MUST have the same LGA1151 CPU connection to work at all. The motherboards and the CPUs will describe which sockets they support and must be matched up.

loki1944 · Jan 23, 2017

Yes, AMD and Intel are NOT compatible, so you need different motherboards.

You do not need to reinstall windows.

You have to check compatibility. A good website for this is pcpartpicker: https://pcpartpicker.com/

captaincharisma · Jan 23, 2017

an AMD CPU will not fit into any intel motherboard so you will have to get a new one but depending on the generation of the intel CPU and the socket type there are cases where you would have to get a different motherboard even if it was a newer intel chip.

when you look at both a CPU and motherboard even if it is AMD make sure they are both the same socket type and the motherboard does support the model of CPU you are getting

Rogue Leader · Jan 23, 2017

Not only is the design different between Intel and AMD, but the design is different between generations in many cases.

For example the prior generation Intel processors had 1150 pins, the newest two generations have 1151 pins. The processors are not compatible across motherboards.

So if you need a new CPU you may need to buy a new motherboard depending what you have. When doing that as well you need to check BIOS compatibility as well, but this is easily checked on the manufacturer's website, we can also help you here.

What do you have and what do you want to get?

little_me · Jan 23, 2017

Yes, you need different motherboard for AMD and Intel processors.
Yes, you need different motherboard (due to different CPU socket) for different generations of processor (applies to both Intel/amd)

Yes, you will 99% of time need to reinstall windows due to different chipsets/drivers needed for it to boot

Yes, you should check compatibility before choosing cpu/motherboard, www.pcpartpicker.com is a decent place to start, it should notify you if they (or other parts you choose) don't match.

JacobTheFox · Jan 23, 2017

Here's some things that should help you: There are different CPU sockets, it's not universal by brand either. The most popular sockets from Intel are: LGA 1150, LGA 1151 and LGA2011-V2. AMD: FM2+, AM3+. There are different motherboards for different sockets. Before you go buying anything for your current PC I would recommend looking at what socket you have, to easily do this, open task manager and go to performance. Your CPU model will be there, put it into google and you should be good to go.

You wont need to re-install anything after changing a CPU.

For the third question relate to the above ^

c4s2k3 · Jan 23, 2017

Stubbies :

All good. I would add that it helps to make sure the motherboard supports the specific CPU through documentation, even if they are using the same socket. Some motherboards may not natively support a particular CPU family even though it may share the socket. Some motherboards can be made to support a newer generation CPU via BIOS update, but that can be a pain in and of itself.

Gorganoth · Jan 23, 2017

Wow, well this seems to be a pretty great community. Thanks everyone

Just one last question: How do I check what motherboard I have? i don't see it written anywhere on the computer...

thx1138v2 · Jan 23, 2017

Yes, you will need a new motherboard if you change from an Intel to an AMD processor. In fact, you might need a new motherboard if you change from an older Intel processor to a newer Intel processor. The pin layouts on processors change over time and new sockets are developed for the new layout which requires a new motherboard design for the new socket and to take advantage of the new features which necessitated the socket change. So first determine which processor you have and then find the type of socket it uses. Then compare that socket to the the socket needed for the new processor. If they are different, you'll have to have a new motherboard. You may also need a new power supply because new processors sometimes use more power than previous ones.

Yes, you will need to reinstall Windows if you get a new motherboard. The motherboard will depend on device drivers to operate and those drivers will vary between processors. Yes, you will need to reinstall any application software you are using. Be sure to backup any data you want to save before beginning the process.

No, you can't expect a new CPU to fit your motherboard or work with your existing motherboard. See the comments above about CPU sockets. You can check the socket on the CPU manufacturer's web site and the socket on the motherboard on the motherboard manufacturer's web site. But in addition, you need to check that the given motherboard supports the desired CPU. The motherboard manufacturer's web site usually has a list of supported processors for each motherboard. It's typically found as a link on their support web page for the given motherboard.

Rogue Leader · Jan 23, 2017

Gorganoth :

Open the case of the computer it should have a logo with the model number on it somewhere. For example

See the MSI logo in the middle right underneath is the model (B85M-G43)

Gorganoth · Jan 23, 2017

Thanks a bunch Rogue Leader.

Thanks again everyone.

Rogue Leader · Jan 23, 2017

Gorganoth :

What do you have and what do you want to buy?

uguv · Jan 23, 2017

Rogue Leader :

You can also try this. Some motherboards report the model and some do not:

Open powershell (assuming you have vista or higher):
in powershell, type the command below and press enter.
gwmi win32_baseboard

Corwin65 · Jan 23, 2017

As you are a self proclaimed CPU noob, if you tell us exactly what you want to change we should be able to help you make a better informed decision. It seems you want to switch from intel to AMD, not usually recommended.

Susquehannock · Jan 23, 2017

Great help & advice as always.

Would only add that a utility like CPU-Z is very useful for identifying your system components. CPU, motherboard, memory, graphics, etc ...

>> http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Gorganoth · Jan 23, 2017

Corwin65 :

It took me a while to get home and open the computer up

Apparently my motherboard is this: http://www.findlaptopdriver.com/h57h-am2-v2-0-motherboard-specifications-20h090713/
(socket LGA 1156)

and my cpu is this: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/dR7wrH/intel-cpu-bx80637i33210
(socket LGA1155 - that is a different socket, but that's how it was when I bought the thing.)

I just want something that's better, and doesn't require me to buy a new windows OS. Where can I check whether the Intel Core i3-6100 cpu (socket LGA1151) is compatible?

Rogue Leader · Jan 23, 2017

Gorganoth :

Thats just not possible, the notching and pinouts are different. You must have read something wrong because there is no way an LGA1155 CPU will work in an LGA1156 board.

To Purchase a new LGA1151 CPU you will need a new motherboard. What version of Windows are you running? If you have Windows 10 and are logged into your Microsoft account you can transfer the license to a new motherboard.

Gorganoth · Jan 23, 2017

Rogue Leader :

Oh, you're right, I messed up, this is the right CPU https://pcpartpicker.com/product/BDg323/intel-cpu-bx80616i3550

socket LGA1156

sorry

Gorganoth · Jan 23, 2017

Also, I do have windows 10, and I'm logged in

Rogue Leader · Jan 23, 2017

Gorganoth :

Ok makes sense. That platform is old so there is really nothing worth upgrading to which brings me to:

Gorganoth :

Perfect. This means you can buy a new motherboard, CPU, memory, etc and replace them and transfer your license to your new hardware. If you wanted to upgrade to an i3-6100 you would need:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H110M PRO-VD PLUS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($54.80 @ OutletPC)
Total: $220.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-23 19:54 EST-0500

At a minimum. Considering your other parts you may want to get a new PSU, hard drive, GPU etc. Depends on your budget.

Gorganoth · Jan 24, 2017

Thanks again for your help.

I'll be looking at parts and doing some research and so on.

But if I'm anyway replacing the motherboard is there a reason not to switch from Intel to AMD? The reason I'm asking is that Tom's Hardware seems to mostly recommend AMD CPUs.

Rogue Leader · Jan 24, 2017

Gorganoth :

I don't know what pert of Toms hardware you are on but TH does NOT recommend AMD anywhere right now. Any of AMD's current offerings are a downgrade from anything from Intel. Now AMD is coming out shortly with a new series of CPUs called Ryzen in about a month or so that should be competitive with Intel. But until then AMD is a terrible investment.

Gorganoth · Jan 24, 2017

Rogue Leader :

Alright, noted

I'll probably go with the hardware you suggested, but I haven't decided on way or the other yet, and I probably won't this month.

I've had all my questions answered, thanks again everyone

uguv · Jan 24, 2017

If you're not in a rush then I suggest waiting a month until Ryzen comes out and then figure out the best option for your budget at that time.

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