New CPU Any Precautions?

VivaLaMikey · 29 Oct 2012

As the title states i'm currently running an AMD Phenom II x6 1090t AM3 and i'm purchasing an AMD FX-8350 Vishera AM3+ is there anything i should do while installing the CPU have just done straight swaps in the past but want to lower possibility of problems.

I'm hoping i don't have to re install windows as i have had alot of dramas lately and re installed 4+ times in the past months, but i'm just a little confused as to all the drivers i have installed for the phenom do i just manually remove each one after installing the 8350?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

TVeblen · 30 Oct 2012

First, check and make sure the new CPU is supported by the motherboard manufacturer and the currently installed BIOS version.

If there is a newer BIOS version that supports the new processor then you will need to install that.

Then you want to be sure you are on all default settings in the BIOS at the time you make the switch.

First, document all your preferred BIOS settings (i.e. the settings you have changed from the default setting)
Then enter the BIOS and "Load BIOS Defaults".
Shut down the PC, remove the power cord or turn the PS switch off. Press the power button for about 10 seconds.
Replace the CPU
Replace the power cord and boot the PC. Go directly into the BIOS settings.
Load BIOS defaults again.
Now reset your preferred BIOS settings > Save and exit.

If you need to update the BIOS version I would do that first with the old CPU in place, then switch the CPU in a second step.

Hope that helps.

Also:

If you are reusing the old CPU heatsink and fan, make sure the contact surface is clean. Scrape off all the old thermal compound and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
Apply a good quality thermal compound to the new CPU before fitting the heatsink. You only need a thin film of compound. Too much is not good. It should not squeeze out.

VivaLaMikey · 30 Oct 2012

Hey TVeblen,

Thanks for the info, unfortunately doesn't help me much as i have done CPU swaps in the past but i'm more worried about weird activity afterwards due to the drivers etc from old cpu possibly conflicting with the new cpu.

I have done basic CPU swaps but have not done upgrades between 2 different cpu types normally Phenom 2 x4 > Phenom 2 x6 etc. So im wondering if there will be any conflictions between Phenom & Vishera.

bassfisher6522 · 30 Oct 2012

TVeblen is correct with mobo compatibility.....have a look at this....Red print is never good. You have to update your BIOS first.

GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket AM3+ - GA-990FXA-UD3 (rev. 1.0)

bassfisher6522 · 30 Oct 2012

With any major hardware change it's always best to reinstall the OS...just for compatibility sake.

VivaLaMikey · 30 Oct 2012

Yea i have read the cpu support list for all revisions of motherboard they all support the 8350 as mine is revision 1.1 i must have F9b bios version installed which is the very first thing i done when i powered mobo up for the first time.

As for the windows installation i normally do complete re-install even when using new video card & RAM but seeing as everything in my current setup is working perfectly after re-installing 4+ times and having so many issues with different things in past windows intalls i really wanna try to avoid it unless absolutely necessary + it hammers my bandwidth everytime i re-install (updates etc) and data in NZ is not cheap 100gb cap for $100 is reasonably expensive.

OldMX · 30 Oct 2012

Remove old processor from device manager, turn computer off, install new one, enjoy

VivaLaMikey · 30 Oct 2012

Is it really as simple as that? Wont that cause a system crash removing the device while its in cycle? As for the drivers i installed a few drivers for my motherboard will they auto detect new cpu or will i need to reinstall those?

TVeblen · 30 Oct 2012

I'm not aware of any driver for a CPU. This is one component that is motherboard/BIOS dependent.

If there is an updated, newer chipset driver available for your motherboard you might want to install that anyway. There may be some functionality gained between the northbridge driver and the CPU.

Many problems we have dealt with here with frozen computers after installing new processors were solved by either resetting BIOS defaults, performing a CLRTC, updating BIOS, or realizing the CPU is incompatible with the MB.

EDIT: The first line above is not exactly true. I should have said: "I'm not aware of any driver for a CPU you can install." The OS has a "driver" for the Processor(s), but that is not something that you would normally install manually.

VivaLaMikey · 30 Oct 2012

Yea sorry i meant Mobo drivers right from the start not sure why i typed cpu drivers.

But yes every single part of my system is completely up to date so im hoping there will be no issues, i do have some overclock settings but will be resetting to default and starting overclock from scratch, BIOS is fully up to date so i know the cpu is compatible, and im not sure what CLRTC means?