Swapping my CPU

[likeaboz2002]

After 3 years of running an i3 6100 (in conjunction with an RX470 and 8GB of RAM), it's finally time to upgrade, as the i3 seems to be bottlenecking my system. I'm looking to upgrade to either an i5 6500 or a Skylake i7, as both use the same socket as my i3. Is there anything I need to do to swap just my CPU? Or do I just remove the cooler and CPU, put the new one in, reapply thermal paste and put the cooler back on? 

 

Also, how risky is buying a used CPU? 

[Votivee]

Make sure your bios is up to date first, newer chips may not work with older bios versions. Or if you don't feel comfortable updating it at least check and make sure your current version will support the new chip.

 

Also, windows might freak out and require a fresh install, so make sure everything is backed up.

[TheGlenlivet]

If you are doing a 6500 or 6700 non k you should be good with the swap and repaste.  If you put on a K series and try to OC, get a better CPU cooler than the stock one.

Also, be careful with the pins on the motherboard when you remove and put the new CPU in.

[likeaboz2002]

1 hour ago, TheGlenlivet said:

If you are doing a 6500 or 6700 non k you should be good with the swap and repaste.  If you put on a K series and try to OC, get a better CPU cooler than the stock one.

Also, be careful with the pins on the motherboard when you remove and put the new CPU in.

I've just got a cheap barebones mobo, no overclocking for me. Thanks for the tips!

[likeaboz2002]

1 hour ago, Votivee said:

Make sure your bios is up to date first, newer chips may not work with older bios versions. Or if you don't feel comfortable updating it at least check and make sure your current version will support the new chip.

 

Also, windows might freak out and require a fresh install, so make sure everything is backed up.

How would I go about checking my current BIOS version? 

[TheGlenlivet]

13 minutes ago, likeaboz2002 said:

How would I go about checking my current BIOS version? 

I believe CPU Z shows it, but you should find out how to get into your BIOS and check there too.  You might need to update to get a new CPU to work.

[Lefteh]

On 5/30/2019 at 3:49 PM, likeaboz2002 said:

Also, how risky is buying a used CPU?  

Minimal risk if you buy on ebay, just don't fall for the "blah blah cpu box" or the "broken" tags. From what it looks like i5 6500 is ~100$ ill link some links of ebay i5 6500 on sale.

From Cheapest down.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i5-6500-3-20GHz-SR2L6-Processor-Socket-1151-QUAD-Core-CPU/254250535825?epid=28013566093&hash=item3b32834b91%3Ag%3A~vEAAOSwGg5c8pf5&LH_BIN=1

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i5-6500-3-2GHz-SR2L6-CPU/153509349041?epid=2072547707&hash=item23bddec6b1%3Ag%3A7SMAAOSwRDJcISUM&LH_BIN=1

 

If that's all you want and no new Ryzen 3000 series or new fancy gtx 1000s series/ RTX 2000s.

 

Edit:

Dont forget if it says 6500t that's the low power variant aka not as powerful

[Stefan Payne]

You might want to wait a Month or so.

The Prices might finally drop after the Release of Ryzen 3000 and become sensible again and not as rediculous as they are now.

 

Though i5 seem to be somewhat reasonably priced but still: What are you going to pay? 100€? 150€??

[likeaboz2002]

On 6/1/2019 at 9:15 PM, Lefteh said:

Minimal risk if you buy on ebay, just don't fall for the "blah blah cpu box" or the "broken" tags. From what it looks like i5 6500 is ~100$ ill link some links of ebay i5 6500 on sale.

From Cheapest down.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i5-6500-3-20GHz-SR2L6-Processor-Socket-1151-QUAD-Core-CPU/254250535825?epid=28013566093&hash=item3b32834b91%3Ag%3A~vEAAOSwGg5c8pf5&LH_BIN=1

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i5-6500-3-2GHz-SR2L6-CPU/153509349041?epid=2072547707&hash=item23bddec6b1%3Ag%3A7SMAAOSwRDJcISUM&LH_BIN=1

 

If that's all you want and no new Ryzen 3000 series or new fancy gtx 1000s series/ RTX 2000s.

 

Edit:

Dont forget if it says 6500t that's the low power variant aka not as powerful

yeah, I'm just looking for a nice, easy upgrade so that I don't have to replace my motherboard