Need processor installation advice please!!

im gonna upgrade my processor, i just bought a new one. im going from amd athlon 2 x2 215 2.7ghz to amd phenom 2 x4 955be 3.2ghz. my question in is while installing this new chip should i remove my gpu(9500gt) first and install it n then after i boot up re install or can i install the new processor while the gpu in there, reason i wanna know is to avoid conflicts. help is appreciated thank u

edit: another question. my mobo for the current set up uses 20 pin for the main power will i need to use 24 pin for the upgrade?

As long as the new CPU is supported by the motherboard/bios there is no need to remove anything. It is just a matter of removing the heatsink, lifting the lever along the socket to unlock the CPU, and then put the new one in. Just make sure you have the CPU orientated the right way when you put it in, if it doesn't just drop in then it is either turned the wrong way or there is a bent pin.

The only reason to remove the video card would be for extra room if needed when removing/installing the CPU heatsink. Might be a good idea to pull the card anyway, less chance of an inadvertent bump, and just put it back before booting up.

another question. my mobo for the current set up uses 20 pin for the main power will i need to use 24 pin for the upgrade?

More than likely. yes.

P.S. What is the make and model of the motherboard?

thanks 4 the info, the mother board is Pegatron M2N68-LA HP/Compaq name: Narra5-GL6 came with a compaq i had bought

here is the mobo info on the site Motherboard Specifications, M2N68-LA (Narra5) Compaq Presario CQ5210F Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Here's hoping that x4 will work in it. It may be listed in the supported list but if HP didn't include it in the original bios (or provide and updated bios that does), there there is good possibility that it will either be not detected properly or not work at all.

HP has been using that same board for quite a while now in their AMD systems, since the original AM2 CPU's came out.

stormy13 said:

Here's hoping that x4 will work in it. It may be listed in the supported list but if HP didn't include it in the original bios (or provide and updated bios that does), there there is good possibility that it will either be not detected properly or not work at all.

HP has been using that same board for quite a while now in their AMD systems, since the original AM2 CPU's came out.

using speccy the bios revision date is augest 2009 and when i called there cust. support they said it was the lasest bios and it will support the chip which was released b4 the bios was updated.

one thing i noticed is that the fan on the heat sinks cable is 4 pin but the heatsink fan connector on the existing heatsink is 3 pin. i should be able to use the same heat sink though

That sounds promising regarding the CPU.

As far as the heatsink goes, use the one that came with the CPU. That 4 pin connector will go on the 3 pin header easily as it has a small rib between the 3rd and 4th pin holes. The 4th wire is for PWM control of the fan when connected to a motherboard that supports it (nice feature when available that when used in conjunction with Cool n Quiet will vary the fan speed as needed), and won't affect anything if not connected.

Krispy1 said:

edit: another question. my mobo for the current set up uses 20 pin for the main power will i need to use 24 pin for the upgrade?

It will be ok, the connectors on the newer boards switched to 24 pin connectors in order to do away with the extra P4 4pin connector.

When installing make sure you use the first 20 pins and leave the bottom 4.

well bad news

i installed it and got error: this is cpu is not supported.

so i did a live chat with hp support and the guy told me the black edition is not supported only the regular ones



i must say im pissed

i hope the guys at the tiger direct store can exchange me for a lower model or maby a athlon 2 x4 because i know they do not do refunds