Can I upgrade the processor?

anarchybmc · 15 Nov 2014 at 18:19

Hello well I was here a while back getting help on the gaming rig for my son, which was successfully completed

Now my son wants to upgrade to the i5 processor and I was wondering if that's possible with the the set up we have already which is

VTX3D HD 7870 Black Boost Edition 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
Intel Core i3-3220 3.30GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail
Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
OcUK 20x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black)

Would I have to do the bios again? Also which i5 should I get?
Thanks guys!

anarchybmc · 15 Nov 2014 at 18:27

stulid said:
Yes it is.

i5 2500K or i5 3570K

Thank for the rapid reply!

How about the bios would they need doing or can we literally just change the processor?

anarchybmc · 15 Nov 2014 at 18:34

stulid said:
Have a look what BIOS it has and see what is latest for your board.

Flash via QFlash.

Yeah can you explain how I do that, I'm so not computer savvy

anarchybmc · 15 Nov 2014 at 18:38

stulid said:
Download the latest BIOS, extract the downloaded folder and place the BIOS onto a USB pen drive, enter the BIOS choose Qflash option and follow the instructions.

Ok thanks, I may be back for more help if I get stuck

anarchybmc · 17 Nov 2014 at 16:00

biuro74 said:
Update won't be helpful with recognizing CPU as you've got IvyBridge already, but keeping the latest BIOS is always good idea.
There's whole CPUs family to pickup, all will fit:
http://ark.intel.com/products/family/59134/2nd-Generation-Intel-Core-i5-Processors#@Desktop
http://ark.intel.com/products/family/65504/3rd-Generation-Intel-Core-i5-Processors#@Desktop
but in practice CPUs with no suffix except "K" count. "K" suffix means your son is able to overclock CPU more that 500 MHz easily just with simple multiplier change in BIOS. The rest is overclockable upto 500 MHz only.
Remember to do CMOS reset once new CPU is populated. Try not to bend CPU socket pins during CPU change as they are very vulnerable.

I have got no idea what most of that means

but thank you for taking the time to reply and try and help me!
I really don't know what to do now if I bought the 3570k i5 would the gigabyte z68 be ok or am I better off getting another motherboard that is able to cope without me having to do anything confusing as I am a complete novice! He is going on about graphics cards too now