Solved Are core i5 and core i7 interchangeable?

[mohab]

A computer shop owner told me that I can swap a core 15 for an i7
I asked about the motherboard, his reply was use the same motherboard
Then I asked about RAM, the reply I got was both processors use the same RAM.


Folks is any of this gibberish true?

 

[AddRAM]

Most i3`s i5`s and i7`s of the same generation are interchangable, as long as the motherboard supports them.

And you can upgrade from a 1st or 2nd gen to a 3rd gen if the socket is the same and the MB supports it.

Some boards just need the latest bios, others won`t support an upgrade.

Not sure if you could go from a 1st to a 3rd gen though, you`d have to research it.

Just google it.

 

[GWild]

Look for the motherboard CPU socket pin count: 1150, 1155, 1156, 2011, etc. That is the major detail that limits CPU compatibility. Next comes socket power capability. Is the new CPU 15w, 25w, 120w? What does the board support?

 

[mdd1963]

There is a LOT more to it than just 'i5 will drop in where an i7' used to be....

(Other posters already alluded to variety of sockets; heck, even have to worry about socket 2011V2 and 2011v3....)

 

[wasnotwas]

The motherboard manufacturer's website should have a cpu compatability chart (incl BIOS version required). This is easy if it's a self build eg Gigabyte, MSI board etc - branded pc eg HP, Dell may not provide sufficient data.

Cpu upgrade often requires a BIOS reset, so it can detect the new hardware. If the BIOS needs upgrading to the latest version, this has to be done with care as any mistake can render the pc unbootable. Also, upgrading a store bought computer may void the warranty.

 

[Mellon Head]

Cpu upgrade often requires a BIOS reset, so it can detect the new hardware. If the BIOS needs upgrading to the latest version, this has to be done with care as any mistake can render the pc unbootable. Also, upgrading a store bought computer may void the warranty.

[Emphasis mine]

Not to mention that, but the new OEM BIOS still may not support a different processor. HP in particular offers very few valid CPU upgrade paths on their hardware, often limiting your choice to one different upgrade processor, or perhaps none at all. At least this was the case with the numerous AMD based PCs we bought for work. Perhaps Intel based PCs from HP are different, but I would consider it highly unlikely. Dell seems to offer more upgrade paths on its equipment, but often you are still limited to a few CPUs in the same processor family.

 

[mohab]

OK so the answer is yes but there are so many pitfalls on the way, it's complex

Thank you for your time and well thought of answers.