How to Upgrade a Processor

Upgrading the processor in a computer can be one of the easiest ways to give new life to an older, slower machine. While the upgrade itself will take little time or effort, there is significant work that must be done beforehand to ensure that the upgrade is completed successfully.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Research the computer that is to receive the new processor. There are many different processors on the market, and they are not all compatible with a particular machine. Visit the website of the computer manufacturer. If the computer was assembled from after-market components, check the website of the company that manufactured the motherboard, or main circuit board, of the computer. Find out the processor brand, the processor family, the processor and bus speeds that the machine supports, the type of processor socket on the board and the processor cores or revisions that are compatible with the machine. If you can't uncover this information on the manufacturer’s website, search the Internet for it. Any information not found on the manufacturer’s site should be verified for accuracy through multiple sources.

2. Shop for a compatible processor from either a local retailer or an online store. The processor must meet all the requirements that your research uncovered, otherwise it will likely be incompatible with the machine. As soon as the processor is received, check it against your original order. Most retailers have short return windows on internal computer components, and shipping mistakes do happen.

3. Install the processor. Disconnect the computer cables and unplug the machine. Move it to a good work area. Open the side of the machine to obtain access to the interior. Before going any further, discharge any static electricity from your body by using a grounding wrist strap or by touching the bare metal of the computer case.

4. Find the processor. It will be one of the largest objects on the motherboard, near the center, and it will be covered by a large heat sink and fan. On each side of the heat sink, there should be a clip or some other fastener securing it to the processor socket. Gently unhook the clips, taking extreme care not to damage the processor socket, and then disconnect the power lead that runs from the fan to the motherboard. The heat sink then can be pulled away from the processor. It may take some force to separate the heat sink from the processor, depending on the type of thermal transfer compound used.

5. Examine the processor. On one side of the processor socket, there will be a metal or plastic arm that is used to secure the processor in the socket. Slide the end of this arm out from the retaining clip, and lift the arm until it is perpendicular to the motherboard. The old processor can then be gently pulled out.

6. Look at the processor socket. There should be one corner that has a small, 45-degree notch, or another distinguishing mark, cut into it. The processor should have a similar mark. Rotate the processor until the mark is in the same corner as the mark on the socket. Once the processor is orientated correctly, line up the pins and slide the processor into the socket. This should require no force at all. If force is used, the processor pins may be bent and the processor permanently damaged. With the processor seated in the socket, the retaining arm may be lowered and clipped into position.

7. Install the heat sink and fan assembly with a thin layer of thermal compound or a thermal pad between it and the processor. This step transfers heat away from the processor to the heat sink, preventing the processor from overheating. With the heat sink in place, plug the power lead from the fan back into the motherboard.

8. Close the computer. Reconnect the components and test the new upgrade. When everything is done, the computer should be noticeably faster, and it will be able to handle more robust applications and games than it could previously.