New CPU Any Precautions?

[VivaLaMikey]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[VivaLaMikey]

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]

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

 

[VivaLaMikey]

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]

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]

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?

 

[AddRAM]

I wouldn`t worry about any drivers with Windows 7, as mentioned make sure the cpu is compatible. I`m sure you`ve done this. Just make the switch.

You should NEVER have to fiddle or add any drivers ( especially motherboard or cpu drivers ) unless windows needs them, it will just cause problems. In my opinion, the only driver you should go out and get is a video card driver, directly from the manufacturers website. Windows update has always gotten 99.9% of the drivers needed, unless you have an OLD piece of hardware.

 

[TVeblen]

i do have some overclock settings but will be resetting to default and starting overclock from scratch,
im not sure what CLRTC means?

Good thing. Overclocked settings would have given you a real headache.

CLRTC is the same as Clear CMOS. This is a manual reset of the BIOS settings and the Real Time Clock. It is usually performed by moving a jumper on the motherboard in accordance to the instructions in your MB's manual.

CLRTC/ClearCMOS Procedure

• Note all your current BIOS settings
• Shut down the computer > remove the power cord.
• Remove the 3v battery.
• Move the CLRTC jumper from pins 1-2 to 2-3.
• Touch a metal part of the case and Press and Hold the reset button for approx. 30 seconds to discharge all power from the board.
• Put the CLRTC jumper back on pins 1-2.
• Replace the 3v battery > replace the power cord > boot.
• Immediately go back into BIOS and reset all your preferred settings. If the CLRTC worked you will need to reset the date and time.

Also, if there are newer chipset drivers for your motherboard, install these before making the switch. Make sure there are no issues with the new drivers (especially if they are Beta) on your system, or you will be chasing your tail afterward!

 

[VivaLaMikey]

Oh i get it yea i have a built in clear CMOS button on my motherboard just an easy tactile switch, I always make sure drivers are up to date all MOBO drivers/utilities & Chipsets are up to date.

CPU arrived today in all its shiny glory, stored in a steel case even kinda makes it special. So as soon as im done at work i'll have a play around and get it installed.
Not looking forward to it to be honest as i have a full water loop setup so its gonna be tricky trying to keep the block out the way without damaging pins or getting thermal grease all over the place.

Will report back with what i hope will be a nice success story or an explanation as to what i did to fail such a simple procedure

Thanks for the info so far guys.

 

[TVeblen]

It's the "simple" procedures that always trip me up. Over confidence and contempt = stupid errors.
You are smart to be well prepared. I'm sure it will go well.

 

[Zepher]

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

I try to avoid reinstalling Windows, takes too long to update and setup all of your programs, and Windows 7 has been great with major hardware changes.
I swapped motherboards and CPU's 3 times with my original Windows 7 install from August of 2009.
Q6600 & Asus P5Q Pro, i7 870 & Asus P7P55DE, i7 2600K & Asus P8P67 Pro, and currently running an i7 3770K & Asus Sabertooth Z77.
I've also swapped out the System drive to an SSD and swapped video cards 4 times (9800GT, GTX260, GTX285, HD5850, HD6950.

And it's not luck that I had no issues, it's windows 7. It just works.
My brother has swapped his setup a few times with no issues. I've done a few machines with no issues. the latest one was 2 weeks ago when we upgraded my fathers computer, pulled out the AMD Phenom Quad core and motherboard and installed an i5 3570K, Asus motherboard, and my old 5850 video card.
It booted right up, found the new hardware, I rebooted and the machine was good to go.

 

[Solarstarshines]

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

I try to avoid reinstalling Windows, takes too long to update and setup all of your programs, and Windows 7 has been great with major hardware changes.
I swapped motherboards and CPU's 3 times with my original Windows 7 install from August of 2009.
Q6600 & Asus P5Q Pro, i7 870 & Asus P7P55DE, i7 2600K & Asus P8P67 Pro, and currently running an i7 3770K & Asus Sabertooth Z77.
I've also swapped out the System drive to an SSD and swapped video cards 4 times (9800GT, GTX260, GTX285, HD5850, HD6950.

And it's not luck that I had no issues, it's windows 7. It just works.
My brother has swapped his setup a few times with no issues. I've done a few machines with no issues. the latest one was 2 weeks ago when we upgraded my fathers computer, pulled out the AMD Phenom Quad core and motherboard and installed an i5 3570K, Asus motherboard, and my old 5850 video card.
It booted right up, found the new hardware, I rebooted and the machine was good to go.

I agree you are just changing the CPU
If you done your Bios upgrade for the new Piledriver CPU then you shouldn't have issues swapping
Only thing i would change if any is to drop the PC to default settings if you Oc'ed it then drop the chip and paste heatsink etc then fire it up

Then you can start your OC off from default so you can get the best possible OC if not possible your settings will be all screwed up

sometimes the computer reconizes it is a different CPU and offers you default settings I would just do it yourself to avoid any issues later on

Other then the simple pull and switch that is all you have to do

 

[VivaLaMikey]

So procedure finished and after briefly shitting myself when it didnt pre-boot i had forgot to clear the CMOS.... the "simple" step i somehow forgot cleared cmos with a screwdriver on jumper point and it booted right up.

After that it worked flawlessly installed appropriate drivers and restarted ran a few benchmarks and now im disappointed

 

[Solarstarshines]

So procedure finished and after briefly shitting myself when it didnt pre-boot i had forgot to clear the CMOS.... the "simple" step i somehow forgot cleared cmos with a screwdriver on jumper point and it booted right up.

After that it worked flawlessly installed appropriate drivers and restarted ran a few benchmarks and now im disappointed

disapointed?

 

[VivaLaMikey]

Yea i ran a few benchmarks and got worse scores than my overclocked Phenom II x6 1090t, thought i would at least notice some gain.

Windows Experience Index (i know its basic and a noob tool) has dropped from 7.7 cpu, 7.7 ram, 7.9 graphics, 7.9 gaming graphics, 7.9 disk rate down to 7.4 cpu, 7.5 ram, 7.9, 7.9, 7.9

Also for some reason it says my 8350 is only 4 core? Little bit confused as right beside that it says 8 core

 

[Solarstarshines]

What program are you using to read the CPU what version

Also if you got a 8350 it should score atleast a 7.8 from the jump

when you Overclock the score will increase as the Benches from what I read about the 8350 it is supposed to tear my chip and the 8150 apart

I am thinking you need to look at the configuration if all cores are turned on in the bios

also if you overclocked it even a little you have to turn off Turbo it will hurt you more then help you

Maybe cast a screen shot of what you see and double check if everything has been patched and updated

They also changed the way this chip functions vs Bulldozer so that might be a issue too