Can I upgrade from Core2 to Q6600 Without WinXP Reinstall?

[gswilder]

I have an Intel D975XBX2 motherboard with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU processor. I am thinking about upgrading the processor to a Quad Q6600 CPU.

According to Intel, the BX2 with latest firmware supports the Q6600 Quad.

If I pop in a Q6600, will Windows XP Pro SP2 run without a reinstall or going through the "repair" mode???

I have installed faster CPU's over the years with no issues. However, I was a little concerned since this is going from a 2 CPU to 4 CPU processor. Or does WinXP not know the difference?

Thanks in advance......

Greg

 

[MichaelD]

You should have no problems with a drop-in upgrade at all. You are not changing motherboards or chipsets (on the motherboard) so Windows won't have any driver problems.

However, you need to prep your motherboard for the change. You should do these steps.

- Make sure your motherboard's BIOS can support Quad Core
- Before swapping CPUs, go into the BIOS and select the Enable Basic Settings (or Default Settings or Safe Settings...you'll see it)
- Reboot
- Shutdown
- Swap the CPUs (be sure to use NEW thermal paste and to clean the heatsink first)
- Boot up
- In BIOS select Enable Basic Settings
- Boot into Windows and play around for awhile to ensure everything works
- In BiOS, change your settings to whatever you want or had before

I'd wait a few days before overclocking though to let the thermal paste break in

BTW: Your post caught my eye b/c I'll be doing the exact same thing in just a few days. Going from a E6400 @3.2GHz to a Q6600 @ who knows?

 

[teclis1023]

shouldn't have an issue, just do what Mike said:

- Flash BIOS to newest version and use Default Settings

 

[runestone]

Please post back with results- I have a BX2KR with a dual core 6600 and I'd like to hear how it goes.

 

[gswilder]

I have already upgraded to the latest BIOS and drivers for WinXP, which the Intel site says supports the Q6600. I haven't overclocked the current CPU, but will make sure I reset the bios to defaults. I do have an 2 drive RAID0 array; will resetting the BIOS mess up my RAID array or anything?

ALSO ---- Once I get it setup and burned in, I do plan to overclock. Is there a good website on overclocking the Intel BX2? Or some threads here?


Thanks again for all the replies. I will let you know how it goes.

Greg