I want to get a new CPU, but I've never done it, and I have some important questions, hoping someone can help

[Dan Dread]

I have an Intel Core i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50 GHz.

I want to upgrade to an [Intel Core i7-4790K CPU @ 4.0 GHz

http://www.microcenter.com/product/434176/Core_i7-4790K_40GHz_LGA_1150_Boxed_Processor



WAIT- I know what you're thinking- "That's a waste of money, that's not much better."

Well I'm essentially getting it for free, a generous friend of mine offered to trade because he didn't need it, so I want it.


I have never changed a CPU before.

My mother board is Gigabyte Technology Z87X-UD4H. Bios:F5.

I have some questions:

1) Do I need to back up all my data and files? Will everything be deleted when changing a CPU? If no, is there even a SLIGHT change something could go wrong and I'd lose something?

2) I assume this CPU is compatible with my motherboard since it's basically just a newer version?

3) I'm also upgrading my GPU, that doesn't matter at all right? There's not some weird issue I'm overlooking when upgrading both CPU and GPU at the same time?



I have Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit, if that information helps at all. 16 GB of ram.

I use my computer for video editing, photo editing, movies and gaming.

That's all the details I think.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

You should always have a current backup. However, short of damaging the motherboard, you won't lose anything.

You'll likely need to upgrade the motherboard's BIOS - Gigabyte's website says you need at least F9 for the 4790K. Though they say you need F7 for your current CPU...

 

[lozzahh_XD]

if you have built a pc before just follow the exact same steps and everything should be fine no problems at all upgrading BIOS might be required though

 

[GhislainG]

1) No; it's a simple CPU swap.

2) Only if BIOS F9 is flashed; it won't work with F5. You need to flash the BIOS before removing the i7-4770K; otherwise the new CPU won't work.

3) Correct.

 

[Dan Dread]

My deep dark confession is that a friend of mine actually put my PC together haha, I can probably figure out how to physically put the CPU in, but this stuff about flashing the Bios is new to me... I wonder if he did something to my bios that changed it from F7 to F5, since don't I need F7 for my current GPU? I have no clue. Is flashing a Bios hard/can it cause any potential problems?

 

[GhislainG]

Flashing the BIOS is easy (if you can follow instructions) and that Gigabyte motherboard has a dual BIOS; if something goes wrong, it will switch to the backup BIOS.

 

[lozzahh_XD]

yeah if your unsure watch an instructional video for some help

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Flashing a BIOS can cause issues, but as long as you make sure that it's the right BIOS for your board and don't turn it off mid-way, you'll be fine. Not too hard, just follow the instructions (though I haven't done it on a GB board).

Main thing with replacing the CPU is to make sure that the new one is perfectly level when you drop it in, so you don't bend any pins.

Honestly, if it's still in the box, I'd just sell it. The difference is pretty minor unless you're OCing it.

 

[Dan Dread]

I am having trouble upgrading the Bios. I went to Gigabyte website and downloaded the files (which include autoexec.bat, Efiflash.exe, and Z87XUD4H.F9). I formatted a USB stick for Fat 32 and put the files there. I clicked on Efiflash.exe (it said to do so in the instructions) and it says "This app cannot run on your PC."

I went ahead anyway and entered the bios, selected the USB drive, and clicked on the Z87XUD4H.F9 file, and it gave me a message saying it was outdated and I need to get a newer version. It is the latest version.

What should I do?

Do I REALLY need to update the bios? Like you said the website says the i7-4770k needs F7, I have F5 and everything's been fine.

 

[GhislainG]

Are you absolutely sure about the motherboard model number? I have some doubts because BIOS F5 isn't in the list and you can't install F9. What model and BIOS revision are displayed in CPU-Z?

 

[Dan Dread]

Positive about the motherboard model number, I have the box in front of me. I can post a pic later when I get home. I'll also check CPU-Z when I get home (is that a program I need to download? Sorry, hadn't heard of it before. I was using dxdiag).

 

[GhislainG]

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html The fact that your BIOS is revision F5 and you can't upgrade to F7 using QFlash is unexpected, but you can't ignore the note that says "Please use the efiflash.exe included in the zip file to update this BIOS." Your USB key has to be bootable: http://www.howtogeek.com/136987/how-to-create-a-bootable-dos-usb-drive/

 

[Dan Dread]

Here's my CPU-Z details:

 

[Dan Dread]

Those steps seem to say I need to get into DOS to update my bios. According to the instructions in my Gigabyte manual I shouldn't have to do that. That's very strange. I might try this "Q Flash" method I read about in the manual first.

 

[GhislainG]

You haven't yet tried using QFlash which is the safest way to update the BIOS? Doing it from DOS also is secure and rather easy.

 

[Dan Dread]

I apologize, Q Flash was the process I did before that was giving me trouble. I suppose I'll try the DOS method now.

 

[Dan Dread]

I did it! Using Gigabyte's @BIOS utility... I am now at F9

Hey guys, am I correct in saying the i7-4790k is the strongest/best intel motherboard my GA-Z87X-UD4H will support? Judging from this site http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=4488 , it looks like it is.

 

[GhislainG]

It is.