Windows 7: Advice before installing new CPU

Right then,

I've just ordered a new Phenom II x4 3.4 965 Black Edition CPU. Before I get it fitted I would just like a bit of advice. The current mother board is GA-M61PME-S2P from what I've read this mobo will support the new processor, but I've read on other sites that the CPU may suffer performance wise due to the mobo. Basically I want to know would it be better for me to hold off and get a new mobo before going ahead with this? or should the current board support it fine? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

What kind of advice would you like?

I mean, handle the cpu gently on its sides, use good thermal grease like Arctic Silver or similar and apply it evenly/thinly, don't force anything etc...

Anything specific you'd like to know?

Sorry if I wasn't so clear, not regarding the actual installation. Before I bother to install it I'm wanting to know if it's good to go with the current mobo. I've read that albeit these things say they are forward compatible that the newer CPU's may not perform so good.

Don't want to install it only to find it doesn't perform well and have to switch the mobo after.

Really just want to see if anybody else has had experiance with this and confirm if the work together ok.

clean the fans... you wont be able to clean it till you buy an new CPU I think XD

Your motherboards performance is for the most part determined by it's chipset:
NVIDIA® GeForce 6100 / nForce 430 chipset
Newer chipset will perform much better, but you'll most likely also need to outlay for new DDR3 RAM.
Look for something with either a 785 or a 790 chipset, to suit your budget

Not according to Gigabyte it isn't,

GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - CPU Support List - GA-M61PME-S2P (rev. 1.0)



That isn't to say that it won't work. If it does about the only thing that will happen is that it won't be identified correctly in the bios or by Windows, it should still run at the correct speed though.

As Orpheous said, with that CPU you would be much better off getting a new AM3/DDR3 motherboard to use it on. Something like this,

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA785GT-UD3H AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

would do nicely, and not to expensive.

I just noticed this today actually. A new mobo it is, that one linked would probably do the job. Cheers guys.

Don't forget if you get a board that uses DDR3 you'll need new ram as well. If you do go for that board make sure to go here,

GIGABYTE - Product - Motherboard - Overview - GA-MA785GT-UD3H (rev. 1.0)

and check the memory compatibility list. Nothing saying that ram not on the list won't work, but better if you can get stuff that is for compatibilities sake.

Dammit, this CPU will near enough end up being a new build. Awk well. Next thing I know I'll need a new PSU to run it all.

What about this board? Asus M4A785TD-V EVO AMD 785G (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard

As for RAM, would this do the job? Corsair XMS3 TwinX 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Dual Channel Kit seems a bit pricey.

Sorry for all the questions but I don't know a great deal about all this stuff.

I'm using this board at the moment and have had no problems whatsoever, it's quite a nice little board in my opinion.