Upgrading a CPU for the first time

[eSauce]

Hi everyone, 

So, I've never upgraded a pc before. But, i've been trying figure out the best way to upgrade the workstation i have. My friend has given me his old Intel i5- 6600k cpu and thought about starting there (also it was free). I'm still a little wary of upgrading such a major component, so is anything major that i need to look out for. I.e: is the cpu correct? do i need to do a bios update? do i need to reinstall windows?

I know the question is pretty broad, but i don't want to just jump in the deep end. 

Thanks for your time,

eSauce

 

p.s: My current motherboad and cpu down below:

 

 

[berberries]

you should be able to just drop in the 6600k. just remember you will need to apply new thermal paste. just pick up a cheap tube of arctic mx4 and apply a rice grain sized dot of thermal paste on the cpu before installing the cooler again.

[Stu_Bear]

Did he throw in the cooler/fan too?  You might need some new thermal paste and to remove the old paste before installing.  Watch some removal/install videos.  You don't have to reinstall any OS nor software...should just work.

[eSauce]

1 minute ago, Stu_Bear said:

Did he throw in the cooler/fan too?  You might need some new thermal paste and to remove the old paste before installing.  Watch some removal/install videos.  You don't have to reinstall any OS nor software...should just work.

No sadly he didn't. I just have the stock cooler from my current cpu. He did mention that i might have to buy a 3rd party cooler, so i hope those won't be too difficult to find the right one. 

And, yeah i've tried watching a bunch of installation videos but just needed some feedback regarding MY set up y'know. 

But, thanks for the reply!

 

[eSauce]

20 minutes ago, berberries said:

you should be able to just drop in the 6600k. just remember you will need to apply new thermal paste. just pick up a cheap tube of arctic mx4 and apply a rice grain sized dot of thermal paste on the cpu before installing the cooler again.

Ok thanks for your help!

 

[.Apex.]

31 minutes ago, eSauce said:

so is anything major that i need to look out for. I.e: is the cpu correct? do i need to do a bios update? do i need to reinstall windows?

CPU is correct and is supported by your motherboard without a BIOS update, though it's recommended to update BIOS regardless because of the various Intel vulnerabilities discovered, and no there's no need to reinstall Windows.

The Intel cooler should be fine though? just don't forget to replace thermal paste and check your max temperatures using HWiNFO afterwards and by using Cinebench R20 as a stress test.

[eSauce]

4 minutes ago, _Syn_ said:

CPU is correct and is supported by your motherboard without a BIOS update, though it's recommended to update BIOS regardless because of the various Intel vulnerabilities discovered, and no there's no need to reinstall Windows.

The Intel cooler should be fine though? just don't forget to replace thermal paste and check your max temperatures using HWiNFO afterwards and by using Cinebench R20 as a stress test.

Ah ok, i understand that the thermal paste is a major thing, so that will get ordered as soon as, but using cinebench is a new thing so i will keep that in mind. Thanks for your help!

 

[.Apex.]

Just now, eSauce said:

Ah ok, i understand that the thermal paste is a major thing, so that will get ordered as soon as, but using cinebench is a new thing so i will keep that in mind. Thanks for your help!

 

I recommended Cinebench for ease of use though you can use any stress test you like, there's also AIDA64 that gives you temperature readouts and stresses your CPU.