JL Sargent Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 My main computer is a Dell and has an i3 processor. Can I simply buy an i7 and drop it in my existing motherboard or is it more complicated than that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 No. Different socket and some other things as well. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 But Dave, do all i7 chips have same socket? Might it be that an i7 will fit the existing socket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason str Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Everything depends on mainboard support & socket type, more information is needed for an answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 OK, Computer is an Dell Inspiron 620 that has a LGA 1155 socket. http://www.findlaptopdriver.com/dell-inspiron-620-specs/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 Looking on Ebay and this is out here. Wonder if this would be compatible? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i7-2600K-3-4GHz-Quad-Core-Processor-LGA1155-Includes-Fan-and-Heatsink-/111600814861?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19fbed4b0d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) But Dave, do all i7 chips have same socket? Might it be that an i7 will fit the existing socket? There are a variety of socket types even within a given type of CPU. I7 most common is 1155. But there is 1166, 1366, 2011 (in three varieties) and the same is true for I3 and I5. You may be able to install a higher clock speed I3, but make sure you know your socket type! While the I7 1155 will go into the I3 1155 socket the likelihood that the rest of the MB won't woof on it somewhere is very, very high. CPUs are expensive, MBs relatively cheap. Best route is to replace both. Dave Edited February 23, 2015 by Mallette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason str Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 According to your link you provided your mainboard does not support the 7 series processor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Well, I wanted to just leave it at "no," but it IS possible on some I3 boards. But I sure as heck wouldn't try it and my IT guy wouldn't either. Not prudent... Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 Thanks guys for the info. If I change out MB and processor, how does software react to that? Windows, word, etc.? I mean is it a new computer then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason str Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Yoy will need to reinstall all your software if you change your motherboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 I guess that's why folks buy new computers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) I guess that's why folks buy new computers. While I still have to build mine due to the special needs I have, fact is a pretty hot machine with OS good to go is hard to beat with DIY these days. Dave Edited February 24, 2015 by Mallette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I just went through all this building a new one; If you want to know if new (or recent) parts are compatible use this http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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