Moving CPU to New Motherboard (Same Model)

Product FRED · 04 Sep 2011

I am 100% sure all of my hardware, including the CPU are compatible with the new board. Why? Because I'm going to the same board, with the only difference being that it has DDR3 support (my current has DDR2).

Here's my current: Newegg.com - Open Box: ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

Here's the new one I want to order: Newegg.com - ASUS M4A785T-M AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

How did this all start? Well aside from my hard drives, my RAM (4GB DDR2) is the only thing weighing down my computer speed-wise. I just went from an Nvidia 9400 GT to a PNY GeForce 460 GTX 1GB OC and upgraded my power supply while I was at it. I really shouldn't be gaming during the school year, but I needed the upgrade so whatever. Can anyone provide any tips and/or tutorials for how to get the CPU to the new motherboard if I decide to order it? I already [stupidly] ordered the RAM before realizing my current board doesn't do DDR3. At $85 for a new board, I can't really complain, especially since I won't have to reinstall Windows since it'll be identical aside from the 8GB DDR3 RAM I'll be using.

It's a Phenom II X4 945. I know it doesn't made a difference, but just putting it out there.

Mashed1316 · 04 Sep 2011

Hello there, Fred.

Well, as simply as this:

1) take your HSF out of the motherboard. remove your processor
2) align correctly the processor on the new motherboard, lock it in place
3) apply thermal compound (no more than a pea, in size)
4) put the HSF on the bracket, lock it in place.
5) make sure everything is completely and correctly connected.
6) boot into windows.
7) be happy forever and ever.

Now, are you sure that the motherboard is the same same? because if not, you'll need to install the new drivers, and you should uninstall any motherboard drivers before moving the processor and booting up into the new motherboard, it could give you errors!

Apparently it is. but i'd still remove any motherboard drivers before replacing it

Product FRED · 04 Sep 2011

Punkster said:

Hello there, Fred.

Well, as simply as this:

1) take your HSF out of the motherboard. remove your processor
2) align correctly the processor on the new motherboard, lock it in place
3) apply thermal compound (no more than a pea, in size)
4) put the HSF on the bracket, lock it in place.
5) make sure everything is completely and correctly connected.
6) boot into windows.
7) be happy forever and ever.

Now, are you sure that the motherboard is the same same? because if not, you'll need to install the new drivers, and you should uninstall any motherboard drivers before moving the processor and booting up into the new motherboard, it could give you errors!

Apparently it is. but i'd still remove any motherboard drivers before replacing it

Which thermal paste do you recommend? Also, is it ok to apply the paste on top of the dried up paste that's going to be on the CPU?

Mashed1316 · 04 Sep 2011

No, it's not recommended. Clean it with a soft cloth and a little bit of acetone first and let it dry before applying new thermal paste.

Arctic Silver 5 is one of the most common. Really good one.

There are a lot of other Thermal Compounds but AS5 works for me and has worked for all the builds i've done before.

EDIT: i've been looking up some Thermal Compound on Newegg and the Noctua NT-H1 compound has some really good reviews. it'd be interesting to see how that goes!

AS5: Newegg.com - Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - Thermal Compound / Grease
NT-H1: Newegg.com - Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound

And it's actually cheaper than the AS5, if the Noctua is as good as their HSF and Cooling Fans, it should be INCREDIBLY GOOD!

A Guy · 04 Sep 2011

Kipper, who reviews PC hardware for a living, suggests MX-2 by Arctic Cooling.

Thermal Paste

A Guy