How to change a CPU

I have changed my CPU on my computer, this is fairly easy, mine is an acer aspire 3690 laptop, I had to find out the chipset and make sure what CPU were compatible, but I was able to upgrade to a dual core. I recommend to absolutely make sure that the CPU you are putting in to upgrade is compatible, check online, or you can also ask at the forum I put in resources below. Also some motherboards are not upgradeable, the CPU is actually soldered onto the board, so this is something else you need to check

Things You'll Need

  • a new CPU
  • thermal paste
  • anti-static wrist strap
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Instructions

    • 1
      thanks http://www.xoticpc.com/reviews/G1/G1_CPU.jpg for the pic

      first put on your anti static wrist-strap and open your computer, you will see in a laptop a square with a cooling pipe on it like in the picture it's easy to take this off unscrewing the screws holding it down

    • 2
      thanks  for the pic  http://img.en.china.cn/0/0,0,231,2275,910,741,3dc828b4.jpg

      in a desktop computer, it looks different with a fan on top like this pic usually it comes off with clips

    • 3

      once removed, to remove the cpu there will be a screw with a padlock symbol, or a bar that you pull up to unlock the cpu from the socket

    • 4
      thanks for the pic http://images.devshed.com/dh/stories/Motherboard,%20Processor%20and%20Memory/2-6.jpg

      now you are ready to take that out, and put in the new CPU, make sure to be very careful with the pins, they can easily be bent, and match the pin set, as you can see in the pic there is a pattern, match this pattern to the socket, and your cpu should fall easily into the socket DO NOT force it

    • 5
      thanks for the pic http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/data/articles/2004/1192/02-thermal_paste_apply.jpg

      next you will lock that into place, and on top of the CPU put a small pea sized amount of thermal paste, Arctic silver is good

    • 6

      re-put back on your cooling assembly, and your all set, BIOS will detect the new CPU, and windows will install the new drivers

Tips & Warnings

  • make sure your BIOS is up to date

  • careful with the CPU pins

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Comments

  • beachmom Jan 10, 2009
    Great article! I am trying to learn all I can about computers:)

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