Very basic CPU upgrade question.

[banja]

If I upgrade my CPU do I need to update bios or change OS at all? Can I just whip one out and stuff the new one in?

My mobo is supposedly compatible (775 chipset, Q8200 to Q9550)

 

[setter]

No need to reinstall Windows, just make sure you have flashed the bios to the latest version that supports the new chip prior to installing it.

 

[opethdisciple]

No need to reinstall Windows, just make sure you have flashed the bios to the latest version that supports the new chip prior to installing it.

Are you sure?

I thought the HAL (hardware abstraction layer) was written during os install. Meaning if you change cpu, the HAL wont match the hardware.

Not sure tho.

 

[setter]

On s775 I moved from a q6600 to a q9550, only had to update the bios and had no issues in windows.

 

[andy_mk3]

No need to re-install windows.

I put the SSD from my PC with a Q6600 in at the time, into an AMD netbook and it booted up without a single error!

 

[banja]

Thanks chaps. Is the bios update required as a matter of course when changing CPU? Or is it possible my bios (no idea what it is atm) will already be compatible??

 

[setter]

Use cpuz's mainboard tab to display your current bios, then check the list of bios versions on the support website of your mobo's manufacturer. This way you will be able to see wether or not a bios update is required for the new chip.

 

[RJC]

Ideally check the Rev of your current BIOS first, also they might of brought another one out which might have a few extra options which had happened in the past by manufacturers.