CPU Upgrade or Replacement
Upgrading or Replacing the CPU
Is your Processor (CPU) not working anymore, or are you replacing it with something better? Well, let's see how to do it:
Please note that this is extremely difficult for novice users. If you are unsure, let a professional do this for you.
1. Unplug the PC
2. Open the case
3. Find the Processor. It has a very large heat sink on it and a fan. It's on the motherboard, not the case.
4. Remove the fan. (Sometimes, the fan is attached to the heatsink, in which case, you'll need to remove the heatsink)
5. If separate, remove the heatsink
6. There should be a lever or screw on the socket for the processor. Turn the screw or lift the lever and carefully remove the processor.
7. On the new processor, check for a gold colored arrow. This will match up with a notch on the socket so that you can tell what direction to install the processor.
8. On the bottom of the heatsink, you should see some silver goo. This is Thermal Paste. You'll need some new paste to complete the job. You can find it on amazon or at best buy. Remove the paste from the heatsink. Scrape off as much as you can with a flat head screwdriver and then use some rubbing alcohol or goo gone for the rest.
9. Once clean, lock the processor in place with the lever or tighten the screw, and add a dime sized amount of thermal paste to the processor and replace the heatsink.
10. Then replace the fan, if needed.
11. Close the case and plug it in.
If the PC boots, it should recognize the new processor right away. To verify, on Windows, Right click on This PC, then scroll to where it says processor. It should tell you the name of the new processor. On mac, click the apple logo and then click about this mac. Under overview, find where it says processor and verify it says the right one. On Linux, go to system information and verify the processor is correct. If the computer does not boot, make sure the processor is compatible with your motherboard. Also make sure none of the pins in the processor socket are bent or the pins on the processor are bent. Double check the fan for the heatsink is plugged in and make sure the BIOS is seeing the processor correctly, at at the correct speed. If not, your machine may not be compatible or you may need to do a BIOS update. Ask the manufacturer of the motherboard how to perform a BIOS upgrade.
Please note: No person or company paid me to say anything about any of the topics above. These are my opinions and what I have observed using the program personally. Your experience may vary. I am not responsible for any data loss that may occur. Use my guides at your own risk.