The processor in your computer is the brains of the entire operation. Over time, games and even basic tasks such as running Chrome become more and more challenging, placing a greater strain on your CPU.
Fortunately, CPUs can be replaced and upgraded. We know that this can sound like an intimidating task, as the CPU is a costly and delicate piece of hardware. Do you need to leave it to the pros?
Well, not really. It’s not that intricate, and if you read this guide, we will take you through every phase of the process.
Let’s dive right into it!
Table of ContentsShow
Choosing The Right CPU
Before you open up your computer case and start pulling out parts, you will need to figure out exactly which CPU you should get.
Choosing a CPU may be more challenging than a hardware improvement. But no worries, we’ll go through all the factors to consider.
Forming A Budget
First, figure out how much money you want to spend. This is a crucial step because Intel and AMD processors can range anywhere from $100 to $800. Of course, second-hand processors are also available, which should be less expensive.
Either way, it’s a smart idea to determine your budget by considering multiple factors. The most crucial one is performance. What are your performance hopes for your new processors? Would you like to play games on your computer or focus on productivity tasks?
For example, if you want to do high-end gaming on your new CPU, you can grab an i5-12600K or a Ryzen 5600X, which both cost around $300. These are mid-range prices, and you get enough cores/threads to handle gaming and some light productivity work too.
For productivity work like video or photo editing or more demanding tasks, you will need something with more cores, such as the 5900X, 5950X, or 12900K, which are all above $500.
We suggest processors in the $200 ballpark (or lower) for individuals who engage in casual gaming on their PCs (Fortnite, CS: GO, League of Legends, Dota 2). Consider CPUs like the 3300X, i5-11400, and i3-11000.
The CPUs mentioned above are simply a portion of what Intel and AMD have to offer. Check out the present CPU market status to get a good idea of what you can acquire with your money.
Motherboard Compatibility
After determining your budget, it’s time to find out which motherboard you currently have on your computer. This is a crucial step of the process because different CPU generations fit into different sockets, meaning different motherboards. If you skip this step, you might get a CPU that doesn’t fit.
The easiest way to get this information is with CPUz. Just download CPUz (zip), extract and start it and then access the Mainboard tab. This is where you can see the manufacturer and exact motherboard model.
Alternatively, you can right-click Start Menu, select System, and check the processor model under CPU. You can then use this model number to find the socket, but that also opens up more compatibility issues, particularly if you have an Intel system.
Instead, we suggest utilizing CPUz.
Utilize the table below to determine precisely which processors your motherboard accommodates.
| Motherboards | CPU Series | AMD Motherboards/Sockets | CPU Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q57, H57, O55, H55 | Intel 1st Gen | AM1 | Sempron 2650, Athlon 5150, Athlon 5350 |
| Z77, Z75, H77, B75, Z68, B65, B61, H67 | Intel 2nd and 3rd Gen | FM2+ | A4-5300 through A10-7890K APUs |
| Z97, H97, Z87, H87, B85, H81 | Intel 4th and 5th Gen | AM3+ Socket | Athlon II, Phenom II, Sempon, FX 4000 to 9000 |
| Z270, B250, H270, Z170, H170, B150, H110 | Intel 6th and 7th Gen | A320, B350, X370, B450, X470 | Ryzen 1000 (Zen) |
| Z390, Z370, H370, B360, H310 | Intel 8th and 9th Gen | A320, B350, X370, B450, X470 | Ryzen 2000 (Zen+ |
| Z590, B560, H570, H510, Z490, B460, H470, H410 | Intel 10th and 11th Gen | A320, B350, X370, B450, X470, A520, B550, X570 | Ryzen 3000 (Zen 2) |
| Z690, B660, H670, H610 | Intel 12th Gen | X570, B550, A520, X470, B450 | Ryzen 5000 (Zen 3) |
Please be aware that the Ryzen 5000 Series might have unofficial/beta support on A320, B450, and X370 motherboards.
This table can be a bit overwhelming, but if you already have your motherboard model number, it should be easy to figure out which CPUs you can upgrade to.
For example, if you have a B360 motherboard, you can get either an Intel Core 8000 or 9000 series CPU. Anything newer or older than that will not fit into the socket.
BIOS Support
The final thing you need to consider before you start working on your computer is the BIOS. A BIOS is essentially a motherboard’s software/operating system. The BIOS gives users authority over their computer’s hardware and helps oversee it.
This is why it is highly crucial to figure out whether your BIOS version supports the new CPU you want to upgrade to.
Go back to CPU-Z and the mainboard tab, verify the BIOS version and compare it with the details provided on the motherboard’s official product page.
In case your BIOS is not up-to-date, you must upgrade to a newer version. We recommend consulting the official motherboard manual for the process of upgrading the BIOS to avoid damaging your computer.
With this information in mind, we can finally confirm what you require: substituting the CPU with a more recent one.
Removing Your CPU And Adding The New One
You have a new central processing unit, so what now? First, you will need to remove the CPU before you can add the new one.
To accomplish that, you will need a few items:
- Phillips screwdriver
- Thermal paste
- 90%+ proof alcohol
- Toilet paper/coffee filters/paper towels
Once you have these things to hand, it’s time to open up the case’s side panel. To make it easier for you, we will explain this in a step-by-step process.
- Unscrew the two screws on the back of your case, holding the (left side from the front) side panel. For older cases, you will need a screwdriver. Newer ones usually have thumbscrews. If you aren’t sure how to do this, refer to the case’s manual.
(Side panel thumbscrews on the NZXT H500 case.) - Once you have the side panel off, the next step is to remove the cooler. Both air and liquid coolers are attached to the motherboard with four screws, so simply unscrew those. You might have to remove the other side panel to hold the backplate while unscrewing.
(Four screws on the four corners of a Cooler Master air cooler.) - When the screws are unscrewed, slowly pull the cooler/pump away from the motherboard.
NOTE: If you are having trouble pulling off the cooler, boot the PC for a few minutes to warm up the CPU (thermal paste) slightly and try again. - With the cooler removed, you can take out the CPU. To Remove the CPU, you will need to pull the retention arm (small metal bar) outwards and then up towards you. Both Intel and AMD sockets have a retention arm that works similarly.
(Intel socket (left) and AMD socket (right) retention arms.) - Gently pull the CPU upwards. Be careful not to drop it onto the socket because Intel’s pins are right on the socket and they can easily break or bend. AMD’s pins are located on the bottom of the processor. Hold it by its sides and put it somewhere safe.
- It’s time to install the new CPU. First, ensure the retention arm is open at all times. Next, align it with the socket with the corresponding symbols. There is usually a small golden triangle or a dot.
(Ryzen’s golden triangle is usually at the bottom left.) - Once aligned, slowly put it into the socket, and it should fit snugly. Give it a few soft wiggles to ensure that it is positioned properly.
- Push the retention arm down and lock it in place.
You’re almost done! - Now, wipe off all of the old thermal paste. Take a paper towel, add a bit of alcohol to it and wipe the thermal paste off the coldplate (the part touching the CPU). While you’re at it, clean the old CPU too.
- Once the coldplate is clean, add a pea-size dot of thermal paste onto the CPU and screw back the cooler. This is a vital step of the process to maintain normal CPU temperatures.
- Put back the side panels, flip the power on and turn the computer on. It will probably take a few seconds longer than usual, but it should boot up, and the BIOS will report a new CPU in place.
That’s it! You now have a new processor inside your computer, prepared to handle any task you throw at it.
