Three questions regarding CPUs from a noob. Help appreciated

[Gorganoth]

Hello everyone.

I've never upgraded a CPU before, but I'm considering doing that now.

From what I'm reading there are differences in the physical design between Intel CPUs and AMD CPUs, so if I currently have an Intel CPU on my computer, does that mean I need to change my motherboard before I can install an AMD CPU?

Do I need to reinstall Windows or other major software on my computer after upgrading a CPU, like I do after upgrading harddrive? Or does it just work like when I upgrade a graphics card?

Lastly, can I expect a CPU I buy to fit into my motherboard, or do I have to check compatibility somewhere? If so, where?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[razamatraz]

Perfect. This means you can buy a new motherboard, CPU, memory, etc and replace them and transfer your license to your new hardware.

If you have an OEM copy of Windows 10, or upgraded from an OEM copy of Windows 7 , 8 or 8.1 transferring it to a new motherboard might be difficult. OEM copies are tied to the motherboard requiring you to buy a new copy whenever you change motherboards. You might get around this by phoning MS support and saying the old board broke but that's hit or miss at best.

OEM generally means it came with the computer (Original Equipment Manufacturer) .

If you have a retail copy you can do what Rogue Leader suggested and use your MS account to move it to a new board.

You are running an i3 from the 1156 platform which is getting pretty old so while you could upgrade to an i5 or i7 from that platform/socket and it would be much faster, it would still be pretty outdated. I would say you need a fully new system, and would probably recommend entry level kaby lake (G4560; almost as fast as i3-6100 and much cheaper, and a B250 mainboard or even H110 mainboard with a BIOS that supports Kaby and 8GB of 2400MHz DDR4). That means new board, new CPU and new RAM since Kaby Lake (and Skylake before it) uses DDR4. You should be able to get that for about $220 US (assuming you live in the US).

If you do have to buy new windows it retails around $100 for OEM, more for Retail, but there are sources (not sure if discussable here) that sell for $40 or less with the risk of being greyish market.

 

[Rogue Leader]

Perfect. This means you can buy a new motherboard, CPU, memory, etc and replace them and transfer your license to your new hardware.

If you have an OEM copy of Windows 10, or upgraded from an OEM copy of Windows 7 , 8 or 8.1 transferring it to a new motherboard might be difficult. OEM copies are tied to the motherboard requiring you to buy a new copy whenever you change motherboards. You might get around this by phoning MS support and saying the old board broke but that's hit or miss at best.

OEM generally means it came with the computer (Original Equipment Manufacturer) .

If you have a retail copy you can do what Rogue Leader suggested and use your MS account to move it to a new board.

You are running an i3 from the 1156 platform which is getting pretty old so while you could upgrade to an i5 or i7 from that platform/socket and it would be much faster, it would still be pretty outdated. I would say you need a fully new system, and would probably recommend entry level kaby lake (G4560; almost as fast as i3-6100 and much cheaper, and a B250 mainboard or even H110 mainboard with a BIOS that supports Kaby and 8GB of 2400MHz DDR4). That means new board, new CPU and new RAM since Kaby Lake (and Skylake before it) uses DDR4. You should be able to get that for about $220 US (assuming you live in the US).

If you do have to buy new windows it retails around $100 for OEM, more for Retail, but there are sources (not sure if discussable here) that sell for $40 or less with the risk of being greyish market.

This information is incorrect regarding Windows 10. As of the anniversary update OEM, Retail, etc are attached to your Microsoft account. You can install Win 10 on the new board, deactivate the old system and activate the new one you built in its place.

https://www.extremetech.com/computing/230696-microsofts-windows-10-build-can-tie-licenses-to-your-online-account

 

[little_me]

But according to license terms, doing so on OEM copy of windows will NOT mean it is a valid license anymore.

Spoiler

5. Authorized Software and Activation. You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method. When you connect to the Internet while using the software, the software will automatically contact Microsoft or its affiliate to conduct activation to associate it with a certain device. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone. In either case, transmission of certain information will occur, and Internet, telephone and SMS service charges may apply. During activation (or reactivation that may be triggered by changes to your device’s components), the software may determine that the installed instance of the software is counterfeit, improperly licensed or includes unauthorized changes. If activation fails, the software will attempt to repair itself by replacing any tampered Microsoft software with genuine Microsoft software. You may also receive reminders to obtain a proper license for the software. Successful activation does not confirm that the software is genuine or properly licensed. You may not bypass or circumvent activation. To help determine if your software is genuine and whether you are properly licensed, see (aka.ms/genuine). Certain updates, support, and other services might only be offered to users of genuine Microsoft software.

Yes, it could activate
and yes, Microsoft could deactivate it whenever they want. See the part "Successful activation does not confirm that the software is genuine or properly licensed."
And according to said license, OEM is still tied to the original hardware license wise. (retail you are allowed to move)

So yes, it works but how long until they change it and will they change it, retroactively forcing people to buy new licenses? who knows.

 

[Rogue Leader]

But according to license terms, doing so on OEM copy of windows will NOT mean it is a valid license anymore.

Spoiler

5. Authorized Software and Activation. You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method. When you connect to the Internet while using the software, the software will automatically contact Microsoft or its affiliate to conduct activation to associate it with a certain device. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone. In either case, transmission of certain information will occur, and Internet, telephone and SMS service charges may apply. During activation (or reactivation that may be triggered by changes to your device’s components), the software may determine that the installed instance of the software is counterfeit, improperly licensed or includes unauthorized changes. If activation fails, the software will attempt to repair itself by replacing any tampered Microsoft software with genuine Microsoft software. You may also receive reminders to obtain a proper license for the software. Successful activation does not confirm that the software is genuine or properly licensed. You may not bypass or circumvent activation. To help determine if your software is genuine and whether you are properly licensed, see (aka.ms/genuine). Certain updates, support, and other services might only be offered to users of genuine Microsoft software.

Yes, it could activate
and yes, Microsoft could deactivate it whenever they want. See the part "Successful activation does not confirm that the software is genuine or properly licensed."
And according to said license, OEM is still tied to the original hardware license wise. (retail you are allowed to move)

So yes, it works but how long until they change it and will they change it, retroactively forcing people to buy new licenses? who knows.

Except they aren't.

Of course I can't find the article right now but Microsoft basically said they are fine with the use of this feature. I have provided below the link to Microsofts own support site that tells you how to do it. They want people on Windows 10 (which is why they gave it away for "free") because its far cheaper for them to have full support for 1 OS than continuing major support for 4 different versions.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

This has been clearly established as perfect fine for months now.

 

[DRagor]

But according to license terms, doing so on OEM copy of windows will NOT mean it is a valid license anymore.

Spoiler

5. Authorized Software and Activation. You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method. When you connect to the Internet while using the software, the software will automatically contact Microsoft or its affiliate to conduct activation to associate it with a certain device. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone. In either case, transmission of certain information will occur, and Internet, telephone and SMS service charges may apply. During activation (or reactivation that may be triggered by changes to your device’s components), the software may determine that the installed instance of the software is counterfeit, improperly licensed or includes unauthorized changes. If activation fails, the software will attempt to repair itself by replacing any tampered Microsoft software with genuine Microsoft software. You may also receive reminders to obtain a proper license for the software. Successful activation does not confirm that the software is genuine or properly licensed. You may not bypass or circumvent activation. To help determine if your software is genuine and whether you are properly licensed, see (aka.ms/genuine). Certain updates, support, and other services might only be offered to users of genuine Microsoft software.

Yes, it could activate
and yes, Microsoft could deactivate it whenever they want. See the part "Successful activation does not confirm that the software is genuine or properly licensed."
And according to said license, OEM is still tied to the original hardware license wise. (retail you are allowed to move)

So yes, it works but how long until they change it and will they change it, retroactively forcing people to buy new licenses? who knows.

Rules lawyer
But you could be quite right here.

 

[razamatraz]

But according to license terms, doing so on OEM copy of windows will NOT mean it is a valid license anymore.

Spoiler

5. Authorized Software and Activation. You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method. When you connect to the Internet while using the software, the software will automatically contact Microsoft or its affiliate to conduct activation to associate it with a certain device. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone. In either case, transmission of certain information will occur, and Internet, telephone and SMS service charges may apply. During activation (or reactivation that may be triggered by changes to your device’s components), the software may determine that the installed instance of the software is counterfeit, improperly licensed or includes unauthorized changes. If activation fails, the software will attempt to repair itself by replacing any tampered Microsoft software with genuine Microsoft software. You may also receive reminders to obtain a proper license for the software. Successful activation does not confirm that the software is genuine or properly licensed. You may not bypass or circumvent activation. To help determine if your software is genuine and whether you are properly licensed, see (aka.ms/genuine). Certain updates, support, and other services might only be offered to users of genuine Microsoft software.

Yes, it could activate
and yes, Microsoft could deactivate it whenever they want. See the part "Successful activation does not confirm that the software is genuine or properly licensed."
And according to said license, OEM is still tied to the original hardware license wise. (retail you are allowed to move)

So yes, it works but how long until they change it and will they change it, retroactively forcing people to buy new licenses? who knows.

Except they aren't.

Of course I can't find the article right now but Microsoft basically said they are fine with the use of this feature. I have provided below the link to Microsofts own support site that tells you how to do it. They want people on Windows 10 (which is why they gave it away for "free") because its far cheaper for them to have full support for 1 OS than continuing major support for 4 different versions.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

This has been clearly established as perfect fine for months now.

I've had one locked out 2 months ago, that was upgraded from an OEM Win 7 Home hard copy (actual disk, case, paper key etc) that I moved....so maybe non-upgrades do this, maybe I got unlucky...maybe it's a bug but it does happen.

I get your reasoning though, MS wants as many people on Win 10 as possible even if they make nothing on the OS. I'll actually be surprised if they don't go to a completely free for home users (or super cheap) model soon while selling OEM at the $30-$50 price point. They basically want to get into the micro-transaction market, buy apps, buy games from the MS store etc and not rely on selling OS's which are no longer a reliable income stream except on the business side where Pro and Enterprise editions are more common. I always use Pro unfortunately for me, need the networking features.

That said, they have not made that change yet to the legal language and cases of activation failure are still common. It seems more (probably far more) people are succeeding than failing but the failures do happen.

 

[Rogue Leader]

Yes but you can likely resolve the failure issue by calling Microsoft's activation hotline. I mean based on the process for it to work as long as you are no longer using the prior drive/PC it should allow it. You're not entering a product key anymore.

 

[undouble]

Hello everyone.

I've never upgraded a CPU before, but I'm considering doing that now.

From what I'm reading there are differences in the physical design between Intel CPUs and AMD CPUs, so if I currently have an Intel CPU on my computer, does that mean I need to change my motherboard before I can install an AMD CPU?

Do I need to reinstall Windows or other major software on my computer after upgrading a CPU, like I do after upgrading harddrive? Or does it just work like when I upgrade a graphics card?

Lastly, can I expect a CPU I buy to fit into my motherboard, or do I have to check compatibility somewhere? If so, where?

Many thanks in advance.

First-- Every Motherboard has a CPU socket that is DESIGNED for a specific CPU type------(either Intel or AMD)--there is NO interchangeability.

Second-- The CPU and the rest of the HARDWARE is controlled by the Motherboard's Operating System (OS)--Windows could "care less" about the hardware--it's concern is the other software (programs) you add to your system

Third-- Returning to point one-- the Motherboard determines which CPU can be used--------based on the SOCKET design for the CPU. For example - AMD currently utilizes (2) separate designs --------AM3+ and FX. The difference is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole--------WITHOUT ANY GAPS.

 

[Rogue Leader]

First-- Every Motherboard has a CPU socket that is DESIGNED for a specific CPU type------(either Intel or AMD)--there is NO interchangeability.

Second-- The CPU and the rest of the HARDWARE is controlled by the Motherboard's Operating System (OS)--Windows could "care less" about the hardware--it's concern is the other software (programs) you add to your system

Third-- Returning to point one-- the Motherboard determines which CPU can be used--------based on the SOCKET design for the CPU. For example - AMD currently utilizes (2) separate designs --------AM3+ and FX. The difference is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole--------WITHOUT ANY GAPS.

First off this question has been thoroughly answered in the future you may want to check that before posting like this. Its almost 2 weeks old.

But I thought I would clear up some fallacies in your post. Point 1 is very correct

Point 2 is incorrect. There is no such thing as a motherboard OS. The motherboard has a BIOS that does concern itself with your hardware but is rudimentary and does not control any hardware, it just identifies and activates it. While swapping your CPU won't cause Windows issues, Changing other hardware can, especially changing a motherboard. Windows absolutely does care what hardware you have in your system, and a large enough change does require a re-install of Windows. Windows runs the drivers that control your hardware.

Point 3. AMD's 2 sockets are AM3+ and FM2+. Shortly they will have AM4 as well. FX processors go into AM3+ sockets.

As I said, before responding to something like this it may help to read the post and realize we are well beyond the initial question. Having your facts correct helps as well.