Windows 10 Changing CPU Question

[Cwis3man]

I remember seeing something about Windows 10 Upgrades being tied to the hardware you upgraded your key with. If I upgrade my processor will I run into any problems with activation? 

[Mohenjo]

i believe that its tied with the motherboard, what cpu could you possibly upgrade too? 

[CommandMan7]

I remember seeing something about Windows 10 Upgrades being tied to the hardware you upgraded your key with. If I upgrade my processor will I run into any problems with activation? 

i believe that its tied with the motherboard, what cpu could you possibly upgrade too? 

 

Mohenjo is right, Broadwell is technically the only possible upgrade, and it's actually slower than a 4790k in pretty much every situation. You're fine, unless you meant a CPU + Motherboard upgrade. 

[Cwis3man]

It's not for either of those systems. 

 

My work PC is running a G3258 and I have a spare i7-4790 laying around collecting dust. 

[Mohenjo]

It's not for either of those systems. 

 

My work PC is running a G3258 and I have a spare i7-4790 laying around collecting dust. 

then you should be fine 

[msvelev]

Mohenjo is right, Broadwell is technically the only possible upgrade, and it's actually slower than a 4790k in pretty much every situation. You're fine, unless you meant a CPU + Motherboard upgrade. 

The Broadwell CPUs are faster than even Skylake CPUs, so far, because of the L4 cache meant for DRAM.

[Naeaes]

Microsoft hasn't publicly spoken of what modifications will and what won't trigger the re-activation in the terms of a strict line. I personally don't believe it even is as simple as motherboards will and CPUs won't. It's more subtle than that and they can change the algorithm too if they so choose.

 

The thing to remember is that upgrading the same computer is fine and using the same license for two computers is not fine. You're in the clear if you do decide to upgrade your processor. If you need to swap motherboards to do so, still see it as an upgrade and can provide proof if necessary, then you're still in the clear. MS is not some computer-gestapo looking to gun down anyone they have the excuse to gun down. This is all just to protect their right to choose who they do business with.

 

So if it triggers the re-activation, simply re-activate. It's just as simple as it was during the initial installation. Did you even notice? I sure didn't. All border-cases are directed to the automated phone-activation service and all red flags even after that are directed onward to personal customer service where you can state your case. You know what'll happen if you're running a cracked OS or blacklisted key. So I hope you're not. This'd be the wrong forum to get help in that anyway.

 

From personal experience, I don't believe I've had to re-activate in CPU-only swaps. I worked in warranty service so I've swapped CPUs in the order of hundreds, not thousands thou. Motherboards usually do trigger it. I've witnessed BIOS upgrade trigger it and swapping between makes/models but not chipsets not trigger it. Anything can happen and to mess it up even more, sometimes it takes days/weeks.

I've also dealt with the customer service. Never had problems in the cases where the customer didn't have a cracked windows. One case I remember, was leaked online and blacklisted by MS but the unit had the license sticker and we suspected it was actually the original. 

[CommandMan7]

The Broadwell CPUs are faster than even Skylake CPUs, so far, because of the L4 cache meant for DRAM.

At stock they are, but Haswell currently gives the best performance between to three due to superior overclocking.