Key Takeaways
- Check motherboard socket type for CPU compatibility. AMD or Intel CPUs have specific socket requirements.
- Consider motherboard chipset for new processor features. Some chipsets support overclocking.
- Make sure new CPU’s TDP works with your motherboard’s power limits. Decide whether to DIY upgrade carefully.
One of the best things about building your own computers is that you can upgrade them when performance starts to wane. One of the most popular upgrades is adding a more powerful CPU, essentially giving the computer a faster, more powerful brain to process instructions. The modular nature of modern computers is great for this, but you need to know a few important facts about your existing motherboard before you buy a new gaming processor.
Check the socket type
Before you even start to get a shortlist of CPUs together for your upgrade, you need to find out what socket your motherboard has. That’s because the socket is the interface between the CPU and the rest of the motherboard, and what fits in one socket will not fit in any other. Consumer processors come from either AMD or Intel, and each manufacturer has specific socket requirements for its CPUs. It’s worth mentioning that if the computer you want to upgrade is a laptop, you are probably out of luck as most laptops have their CPUs soldered to the motherboard, removing any opportunity for upgrades.
This is less common for desktop PCs, as most motherboards allow the CPU to be removed. What you need to know is if you have an AMD or Intel motherboard and what socket it is equipped with. Intel has used the LGA1700 socket for three generations now, and it is compatible with 12th, 13th, and 14th-generation Intel Core processors. AMD used the AM4 socket for the Ryzen 1000 through 5000 series and is using a new socket, AM5, on the Ryzen 7000 series.
You can ignore the Ryzen 6000 series, as that was for laptops only and, consequently, soldered on. If you have an older socket than these three options, you can still upgrade your CPU, but availability might be low, and any second-hand processor will not have a manufacturer’s warranty by now.
Related
How to tell what CPU socket you have
Thankfully, finding out what CPU socket your motherboard has isn’t rocket science.
The chipset is also important
While the socket type governs what CPU series you can upgrade to, there are a few other considerations before you upgrade. It’s important to know what chipset your motherboard supports, as it can limit the features of your new processor. Intel’s high-end Z-class chipsets are the only ones that support overclocking, for example, so if you are looking at K-class CPUs, you want to make sure your motherboard can support the unlocked modifiers. Otherwise, you won’t get the performance boost you’re after. For AMD, every chipset except for A-class models supports overclocking, except for X3D Ryzen processors, which aren’t overclockable due to the 3D cache
Check the TDP the motherboard can support
You also want to check if the new CPU’s TDP will work on your motherboard. Some of the most powerful gaming CPUs won’t work well on lower-powered motherboards as they require more wattage than the motherboard can supply. This is mainly a consideration oforIntel B-series chipsets and AMD A-series, where the motherboard is not designed to support peak power limits.
Are you going to do the upgrade yourself?
It’s also a good idea to consider whether you want to do this upgrade yourself or pay someone else to swap the CPU for you. While changing a CPU isn’t terribly difficult, it does come with some risk of damaging your PC, especially if it’s the first time you’ve done it. You’ll need to follow the instructions for removing your CPU cooler and the processor, cleaning off the existing thermal paste, and replacing it with a fresh load.
Related
How to remove a CPU from a motherboard
Whether it’s to upgrade or to perform maintenance, sometimes you need to remove your CPU, and here’s how you do it.
Some closing thoughts
However you accomplish the CPU upgrade, it’s a simple way to increase your computer’s performance without having to replace everything — unless your existing PC is too old for a viable upgrade path.
The most important thing is to check your motherboard’s specifications before making any buying decisions, as the last thing you want is to pick up a CPU you can’t use. Once that is squared away, you’ll also want thermal paste and to check the unmounting instructions for your CPU cooler before the new CPU arrives.