CPU switch possible?

[ACTechy]

Can I switch CPUs of the same socket without causing system/OEM Windows issues? I currently use an i3-2100 system, however there is a machine I could swap CPUs with that has an i5-2400S (I know it's only a slight improvement, but it would be a free upgrade). I'm just wanting to switch out CPUs and continue using my current machine, but I'm not sure if there are system consequences with OS or anything. Any help on this would be great, thanks!

 

[ihog]

Yes, as long as it is only the CPU. Just make sure the mobo supports it (mostly if your computer is a pre-built).

 

[COLGeek]

As long as your current motherboard is compatible with the new CPU, you will be fine. The OEM license is tied to the motherboard, not the CPU itself.

Also, make sure to clean and use new thermal compound when swapping the CPUs into the respective systems.

Good luck!

 

[ACTechy]

Thanks folks, follow up question: the i3 is at 3.10Ghz, while the i5 is at 2.50Ghz with 3.30Ghz Turbo, however, the i3 has a 3MB cache while the i5 has a 6MB cache. Worth the switch?

 

[COLGeek]

Under load (like when gaming) the i5 will be stronger. Sure (since free), the swap is an improvement.

 

[ACTechy]

Under load (like when gaming) the i5 will be stronger. Sure (since free), the swap is an improvement.

Awesome, thanks!

 

[chriss000]

Thanks folks, follow up question: the i3 is at 3.10Ghz, while the i5 is at 2.50Ghz with 3.30Ghz Turbo, however, the i3 has a 3MB cache while the i5 has a 6MB cache. Worth the switch?

use an aftermarket cooler to keep the i5 in turbo.. it is quite an upgrade for games,
The cpu passmark for the I3 is 3621,
' ' ' ' ' ' for the I5 2400s its 4820.
or pluss THIRTY THREE Percent cpu performance.
Very worthwhile indeed,

 

[ACTechy]

Thanks folks, follow up question: the i3 is at 3.10Ghz, while the i5 is at 2.50Ghz with 3.30Ghz Turbo, however, the i3 has a 3MB cache while the i5 has a 6MB cache. Worth the switch?

use an aftermarket cooler to keep the i5 in turbo.. it is quite an upgrade for games,
The cpu passmark for the I3 is 3621,
' ' ' ' ' ' for the I5 2400s its 4820.
or pluss THIRTY THREE Percent cpu performance.
Very worthwhile indeed,

For sure, good points!

 

[ihog]

You don't need an aftermarket cooler.

 

[chriss000]

You don't need an aftermarket cooler.

Will it keep in turbo on a hot day on four cores with a standard Intel orb?

 

[ihog]

That's what the stock cooler is for. Turbo is taken into account.

 

[chriss000]

That's what the stock cooler is for. Turbo is taken into account.

Well, bless my cotton socks! All those aftermarket coolers are a waste of time, and intel neednt have bothered setting turbo boost to work according to thermal dynamic headroom at all, they should have just set the chip to run at 3.3 gig all the time because the standard cooler is more than adequate.

 

[ihog]

They aren't a waste of time, obviously. I have a water cooling loop in my rig. But he won't need to spend the extra money for an aftermarket cooler unless he wants less noise. And I wouldn't say it is more than adequate; the stock cooler is simply adequate.

 

[chriss000]

They aren't a waste of time, obviously. I have a water cooling loop in my rig. But he won't need to spend the extra money for an aftermarket cooler unless he wants less noise. And I wouldn't say it is more than adequate; the stock cooler is simply adequate.

So intel wasted all that effort with the thermal headroom calculations and the turbo boost because it will run 4 cores x 3.3 gig 100% of the time on a $4 cooler anyway?