Solved i7 Wanted: New motherboard?

Chips

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I've got an i3 540 dual core processor. If I want to upgrade to an i7 quad core does this mean having to get a new motherboard too? If so which board do I need to get?
 

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What motherboard do you have?


Edit: If you don't know, download this program - http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html download links on the right of the page.

Once downloaded run it and select the "mainboard" tab
 

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Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
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I think the i3 540 requires a socket 1156 motherboard.

Most i7 processors require a socket 1155 motherboard. Some earlier generation i7 processors used socket 1156 and some used socket 1366.

The current generation of i7 does NOT use 1156, so you would need a new motherboard for any of the current generation.
 

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Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bitIntel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Ignatz Special; 4 speed manual gearbox; factory air conditioning; one of one
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
CPU
Intel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked
Motherboard
AsRock Z170M Extreme 4, micro ATX
Memory
8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)
Graphics Card(s)
none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Sound Card
onboard: Realtek ALC1150; external: USB Behringer UF0-202
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2340M 23 inch IPS
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
System: Crucial MX100 series SSD, 128 GB;
Data: Samsung Spinpoint 103SJ, 1 TB;
Backup: WD Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00D8PB0, 3 TB
PSU
Rosewill SilentNight 500 watt fanless, semi-modular
Case
Antec Solo II
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12S; Noctua F12 intake, Noctua S12A exhaust
Keyboard
Microsoft 200 6JH-00001 USB
Mouse
Dell or Microsoft optical wired; USB
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Premium
Browser
Pale Moon
Other Info
All fans PWM; speeds at idle: CPU circa 500 rpm; intake circa 600 rpm; exhaust circa 600 rpm; CPU temps 27 idle and 47 C load in a warm room (27 C/81 F) when running Intel Extreme Tuning Utility stress test.
What motherboard do you have?


Edit: If you don't know, download this program - CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting download links on the right of the page.

Once downloaded run it and select the "mainboard" tab
This is very important to be able to give you an educated answer. Also http://www.sevenforums.com/profile.php?do=extra

If we were to say that you could get away with only the new processor, your choices are going to be limited at this point. Newegg has none in inventory. Tiger Direct only shows one model at limited quantities. Intel CPUs / Processors LGA1156 Processor Interface ,Core i7 Processor Class at TigerDirect.com
 

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Windows 7 Home Premium x64Intel 2500k @4.5ghz 66deg max P95/IBT8 Gigs Patriot Viper 2 Extreme @1600EVGA GTX 580 3 GIG 35degrees idle
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Made
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Intel 2500k @4.5ghz 66deg max P95/IBT
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z68A-D3-B3
Memory
8 Gigs Patriot Viper 2 Extreme @1600
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 580 3 GIG 35degrees idle
Sound Card
Nvidia HD audio via HDMI to 7.1 Receiver
Monitor(s) Displays
32" Olevia hdtv
Screen Resolution
1080p
Hard Drives
64gig SSD(OS/Apps)
250gig (Files and Dox)
1tb (imaging and backup)
PSU
Corsair vx550w
Case
Thermaltake V3 black
Cooling
CM 212+(push n pull) 4 case fans
Keyboard
Logitech wireless Combo, G13
Mouse
G300
Internet Speed
40mps
Other Info
Two others up and running; C2D E5200/MSI G41M-P26/Corsair XMS3 8gb/GTS 250 1gb and C2D E8200/xFx 750sli/8gb Corsair Dominator/2x EVGA 550ti
Working on; i2600 Build...
HP DV6
@Work I use a Lenovo 5536B8U + Lenovo U300s
Yep, it's a 1156. So, it's the socket I should be looking at? Just been looking at an i7 3820 Sandy Bridge and it uses a 2011! They all seem to use different motherboards! Man, this all comes across like a Chinese puzzle!
 

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Windows 10
With 1156 socket the only i7 that springs to mind is the 860 but I imagine its pretty hard to find one now. Amazon or ebay maybe?
 

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Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
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Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
Yep, it's a 1156. So, it's the socket I should be looking at? Just been looking at an i7 3820 Sandy Bridge and it uses a 2011!

Yes. The socket is critical. There have been several i7 sockets, 2011 being the newest. If you want a 3820, you have to buy a socket 2011 board. You can't put a round peg into a square hole, without a hammer.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bitIntel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Ignatz Special; 4 speed manual gearbox; factory air conditioning; one of one
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
CPU
Intel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked
Motherboard
AsRock Z170M Extreme 4, micro ATX
Memory
8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)
Graphics Card(s)
none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Sound Card
onboard: Realtek ALC1150; external: USB Behringer UF0-202
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2340M 23 inch IPS
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
System: Crucial MX100 series SSD, 128 GB;
Data: Samsung Spinpoint 103SJ, 1 TB;
Backup: WD Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00D8PB0, 3 TB
PSU
Rosewill SilentNight 500 watt fanless, semi-modular
Case
Antec Solo II
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12S; Noctua F12 intake, Noctua S12A exhaust
Keyboard
Microsoft 200 6JH-00001 USB
Mouse
Dell or Microsoft optical wired; USB
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Premium
Browser
Pale Moon
Other Info
All fans PWM; speeds at idle: CPU circa 500 rpm; intake circa 600 rpm; exhaust circa 600 rpm; CPU temps 27 idle and 47 C load in a warm room (27 C/81 F) when running Intel Extreme Tuning Utility stress test.
Chips, please help us help you. If you would like any further advice, please fill in your system specs and give an estimated budget.
Also, what will be the PCs primary use? Gaming? Media? Coding?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium x64Intel 2500k @4.5ghz 66deg max P95/IBT8 Gigs Patriot Viper 2 Extreme @1600EVGA GTX 580 3 GIG 35degrees idle
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Made
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Intel 2500k @4.5ghz 66deg max P95/IBT
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z68A-D3-B3
Memory
8 Gigs Patriot Viper 2 Extreme @1600
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 580 3 GIG 35degrees idle
Sound Card
Nvidia HD audio via HDMI to 7.1 Receiver
Monitor(s) Displays
32" Olevia hdtv
Screen Resolution
1080p
Hard Drives
64gig SSD(OS/Apps)
250gig (Files and Dox)
1tb (imaging and backup)
PSU
Corsair vx550w
Case
Thermaltake V3 black
Cooling
CM 212+(push n pull) 4 case fans
Keyboard
Logitech wireless Combo, G13
Mouse
G300
Internet Speed
40mps
Other Info
Two others up and running; C2D E5200/MSI G41M-P26/Corsair XMS3 8gb/GTS 250 1gb and C2D E8200/xFx 750sli/8gb Corsair Dominator/2x EVGA 550ti
Working on; i2600 Build...
HP DV6
@Work I use a Lenovo 5536B8U + Lenovo U300s
Chips, please help us help you. If you would like any further advice, please fill in your system specs and give an estimated budget.
Also, what will be the PCs primary use? Gaming? Media? Coding?

CPU: i3 540 dual core
Motherboard: 1156 LGA
4Gb DDR3
GeForce GT320

For Skyrim plus graphic upgrade mods. Heard it needs LOADS of juice, much, much more than my lowly computer has! I know practically everything needs upgrading except maybe my RAM.

Just thought, what about i5s?
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 10
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 10
Yep, it's a 1156. So, it's the socket I should be looking at? Just been looking at an i7 3820 Sandy Bridge and it uses a 2011! They all seem to use different motherboards! Man, this all comes across like a Chinese puzzle!
It's very easy as long as you treat the motherboard as the primary component, instead of the processor. All other decisions are based off of the motherboard. Sockets change ever couple of years, so it doesn't change as often as it may seem. Socket 1155 has been on the market for a good while now, and has already technically been replaced as the "latest and greatest".

The decision really comes down to cost. Likely, the motherboard would be the only thing needing to be replaced, should you decide on a new processor. So, weight the costs of getting just a new proc, versus a new i7 and maybe a 1155 board to run it on. You might be looking at something like a $75 to $80 difference...where it is worth the motherboard swap. Only you can determine that.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1Intel Core i7-260012 GB Patriot Extreme DDR3-1333Nvidia GTX 470
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
CPU
Intel Core i7-2600
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3P-B3
Memory
12 GB Patriot Extreme DDR3-1333
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTX 470
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell UltraSharp 2209WA
Hard Drives
OCZ Agility3 240 GB, WD5001AALS, WD7501AALS
PSU
OCZ ModStream 700W
Case
CoolerMaster HAF 912 Advanced
Cooling
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus
Okay, that's a start, do you have budget in mind? Will you be building it yourself?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium x64Intel 2500k @4.5ghz 66deg max P95/IBT8 Gigs Patriot Viper 2 Extreme @1600EVGA GTX 580 3 GIG 35degrees idle
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Made
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Intel 2500k @4.5ghz 66deg max P95/IBT
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z68A-D3-B3
Memory
8 Gigs Patriot Viper 2 Extreme @1600
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 580 3 GIG 35degrees idle
Sound Card
Nvidia HD audio via HDMI to 7.1 Receiver
Monitor(s) Displays
32" Olevia hdtv
Screen Resolution
1080p
Hard Drives
64gig SSD(OS/Apps)
250gig (Files and Dox)
1tb (imaging and backup)
PSU
Corsair vx550w
Case
Thermaltake V3 black
Cooling
CM 212+(push n pull) 4 case fans
Keyboard
Logitech wireless Combo, G13
Mouse
G300
Internet Speed
40mps
Other Info
Two others up and running; C2D E5200/MSI G41M-P26/Corsair XMS3 8gb/GTS 250 1gb and C2D E8200/xFx 750sli/8gb Corsair Dominator/2x EVGA 550ti
Working on; i2600 Build...
HP DV6
@Work I use a Lenovo 5536B8U + Lenovo U300s
i5s are strong. But what is your overall budget and from where do you intend to buy?

Will you need a new case?

You may need a new power supply, depending on what you have now--if you intend to upgrade the graphics card.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bitIntel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Ignatz Special; 4 speed manual gearbox; factory air conditioning; one of one
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
CPU
Intel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked
Motherboard
AsRock Z170M Extreme 4, micro ATX
Memory
8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)
Graphics Card(s)
none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Sound Card
onboard: Realtek ALC1150; external: USB Behringer UF0-202
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2340M 23 inch IPS
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
System: Crucial MX100 series SSD, 128 GB;
Data: Samsung Spinpoint 103SJ, 1 TB;
Backup: WD Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00D8PB0, 3 TB
PSU
Rosewill SilentNight 500 watt fanless, semi-modular
Case
Antec Solo II
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12S; Noctua F12 intake, Noctua S12A exhaust
Keyboard
Microsoft 200 6JH-00001 USB
Mouse
Dell or Microsoft optical wired; USB
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Premium
Browser
Pale Moon
Other Info
All fans PWM; speeds at idle: CPU circa 500 rpm; intake circa 600 rpm; exhaust circa 600 rpm; CPU temps 27 idle and 47 C load in a warm room (27 C/81 F) when running Intel Extreme Tuning Utility stress test.
I'll certainly need a new graphics card. I might need a new case too? If so that'd mean a whole new computer. Budget? No figures in mind. I just don't want to spend more than I really need to. If an i5 with my present motherboard and a mid-range graphics card will do the job with no slowdown then all's the better!
 

My Computer My Computer

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Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 10
Is your current PC home-built or store-bought?

If store-bought, a change in the motherboard will probably require a new Windows license.

On the other hand, if you don't change motherboards, you are severely limited on how much you can upgrade the processor.

The current case is probably OK, but may have issues. Is it an ATX case or micro ATX?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bitIntel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Ignatz Special; 4 speed manual gearbox; factory air conditioning; one of one
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
CPU
Intel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked
Motherboard
AsRock Z170M Extreme 4, micro ATX
Memory
8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)
Graphics Card(s)
none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Sound Card
onboard: Realtek ALC1150; external: USB Behringer UF0-202
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2340M 23 inch IPS
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
System: Crucial MX100 series SSD, 128 GB;
Data: Samsung Spinpoint 103SJ, 1 TB;
Backup: WD Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00D8PB0, 3 TB
PSU
Rosewill SilentNight 500 watt fanless, semi-modular
Case
Antec Solo II
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12S; Noctua F12 intake, Noctua S12A exhaust
Keyboard
Microsoft 200 6JH-00001 USB
Mouse
Dell or Microsoft optical wired; USB
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Premium
Browser
Pale Moon
Other Info
All fans PWM; speeds at idle: CPU circa 500 rpm; intake circa 600 rpm; exhaust circa 600 rpm; CPU temps 27 idle and 47 C load in a warm room (27 C/81 F) when running Intel Extreme Tuning Utility stress test.
It was bought from a store, so nope, I don't have a Windows 7 disk. :(

It's a full size case made by HP if that helps any?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 10

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium x64Intel 2500k @4.5ghz 66deg max P95/IBT8 Gigs Patriot Viper 2 Extreme @1600EVGA GTX 580 3 GIG 35degrees idle
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Made
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Intel 2500k @4.5ghz 66deg max P95/IBT
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z68A-D3-B3
Memory
8 Gigs Patriot Viper 2 Extreme @1600
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 580 3 GIG 35degrees idle
Sound Card
Nvidia HD audio via HDMI to 7.1 Receiver
Monitor(s) Displays
32" Olevia hdtv
Screen Resolution
1080p
Hard Drives
64gig SSD(OS/Apps)
250gig (Files and Dox)
1tb (imaging and backup)
PSU
Corsair vx550w
Case
Thermaltake V3 black
Cooling
CM 212+(push n pull) 4 case fans
Keyboard
Logitech wireless Combo, G13
Mouse
G300
Internet Speed
40mps
Other Info
Two others up and running; C2D E5200/MSI G41M-P26/Corsair XMS3 8gb/GTS 250 1gb and C2D E8200/xFx 750sli/8gb Corsair Dominator/2x EVGA 550ti
Working on; i2600 Build...
HP DV6
@Work I use a Lenovo 5536B8U + Lenovo U300s
What exact model HP?

If it is a "micro-ATX" case, you will be restricted to micro ATX motherboards. If it is an ATX case, you can use ATX or micro-ATX motherboards.

Since it is an HP, it came with an OEM version of Windows. If you change motherboards, plan on buying a new copy of Windows.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bitIntel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Ignatz Special; 4 speed manual gearbox; factory air conditioning; one of one
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
CPU
Intel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked
Motherboard
AsRock Z170M Extreme 4, micro ATX
Memory
8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)
Graphics Card(s)
none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Sound Card
onboard: Realtek ALC1150; external: USB Behringer UF0-202
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2340M 23 inch IPS
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
System: Crucial MX100 series SSD, 128 GB;
Data: Samsung Spinpoint 103SJ, 1 TB;
Backup: WD Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00D8PB0, 3 TB
PSU
Rosewill SilentNight 500 watt fanless, semi-modular
Case
Antec Solo II
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12S; Noctua F12 intake, Noctua S12A exhaust
Keyboard
Microsoft 200 6JH-00001 USB
Mouse
Dell or Microsoft optical wired; USB
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Premium
Browser
Pale Moon
Other Info
All fans PWM; speeds at idle: CPU circa 500 rpm; intake circa 600 rpm; exhaust circa 600 rpm; CPU temps 27 idle and 47 C load in a warm room (27 C/81 F) when running Intel Extreme Tuning Utility stress test.
HERE's mine. Same case an' all.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 10
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 10
More details:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...0933/loc:2&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=4228021


Here are full details of the motherboard you have:

Motherboard Specifications, MS-7613 (Iona-GL8E) HP Pavilion Elite HPE-340uk Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

It's a micro-ATX case.

The specs say this:

Motherboard supports the following processor upgrades:

Intel Core i7-8xx (Lynnfield core)
Intel Core i5-7xx (Lynnfield core)
Intel Core i5-6xx (Clarkdale core)
Intel Core i3-5xx (Clarkdale core)

Intel H57 Express chipset

Supports up to 16 GB of DDR3 RAM

DIMM types:

PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333)
PC3-8500 (DDR3-1066)


It has a 460 watt PSU, which is good enough for most graphics cards if it is of decent quality.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bitIntel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Ignatz Special; 4 speed manual gearbox; factory air conditioning; one of one
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
CPU
Intel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked
Motherboard
AsRock Z170M Extreme 4, micro ATX
Memory
8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)
Graphics Card(s)
none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Sound Card
onboard: Realtek ALC1150; external: USB Behringer UF0-202
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2340M 23 inch IPS
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
System: Crucial MX100 series SSD, 128 GB;
Data: Samsung Spinpoint 103SJ, 1 TB;
Backup: WD Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00D8PB0, 3 TB
PSU
Rosewill SilentNight 500 watt fanless, semi-modular
Case
Antec Solo II
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12S; Noctua F12 intake, Noctua S12A exhaust
Keyboard
Microsoft 200 6JH-00001 USB
Mouse
Dell or Microsoft optical wired; USB
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Premium
Browser
Pale Moon
Other Info
All fans PWM; speeds at idle: CPU circa 500 rpm; intake circa 600 rpm; exhaust circa 600 rpm; CPU temps 27 idle and 47 C load in a warm room (27 C/81 F) when running Intel Extreme Tuning Utility stress test.
Hmm, it aint lookin' good. If the motherboard will only take up to i7-800's then the best I can find is the 880, which is under the 3Ghz I really need to get the most out of the graphics without slowdown. That really means a new computer if I'm realistic.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 10
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