Question about upgrading 6420 to 8400

[vkw104]

Hi everyone,
I currently have an E6420 installed on an Asus P5k, overclocked to 2.6. I'm on the verge of buying an E8400 since it appears the P5k supports the 45nm CPUs.
I was just wondering what steps I would need to take to install the CPU beyond the normal hardware stuff? Like, would I need to tweak any settings in the BIOS or Windows, or are there any risks associated with swapping out CPUs?

Thanks!

 

[21]

Given that the installation is flawless then I don't think there should be any further steps to take other than the "normal hardware stuff." The only risks associated with swapping out CPUs is the process itself as long as the motherboard supports it. If you're not careful you could bend pins and things like that.

 

[vkw104]

Yeah, I never had trouble installing CPUs..just found the golden triangle.

So the motherboard will automatically recognize the new CPU and configure itself as necessary?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: vkw104
Yeah, I never had trouble installing CPUs..just found the golden triangle.

So the motherboard will automatically recognize the new CPU and configure itself as necessary?

That's hard to say. Yes is usually the answer but you'd be better off making sure things are correct by going into the bios and having a look.

EDIT: and make sure before you install the chip to update to the latest bios from the manufacturer.

 

[Denithor]

It's unlikely you'll see any difference going from an e6420 to an e8400.

I had my e6400 (2MB cache, your e6420 has 4MB) at 3GHz, swapped for an e8400 that I have run as high as 3.6GHz with no problems but also no noticeable differences. I mean, encoding videos may go slightly faster but it's certainly not worth the $200 I spent on the upgrade. No difference in games that I can see, which is what I mainly do with my rig. I'd say just OC your processor a bit higher and keep the $200 in your pocket (or spend it on a better video card or something).

 

[vkw104]

Hmm, thanks for the heads up! I was worried a little about futureproofing, but I'll take your word for it that there isn't much of a difference. It would have been as much of an impulse buy as you can get with $200.

 

[MyLeftNut]

I still got my e6400 from early release running. It's overclocked high enough that I can probably keep it for at least another year. Bring the overclock to around 3.4 and it should be adequate for quite some time.

 

[Denithor]

If you're a gamer, depending on what card you have now that $200 could buy a significant improvement in performance. The Radeon 4850s are selling for $170AR these days which would be a nice upgrade unless you already have an 8-series or newer GTX-class card.

And there's no need for an extreme overclock, see how high it will go without having to adjust your voltage and leave it there. Mine at 3GHz was fast enough that I really couldn't slow it down no matter what I threw at it.

 

[vkw104]

Oh, I had an 8800GT which I flipped for a HD 4850. I think the upgrade cost me ~$20 after selling off the 8800GT. The thing runs super hot, unfortunately.

 

[imported_sandman]

I have a P5K with bios 0902 and the E8400 installed no problem. It was the ver fancy blue and gold box my P5K came in its newer than my old one running a e6750 but they all support the E8400 as far as I can tell good luck mine is fast and cool running a X-1283 on mine idles at 32c full load it hits 42c.

 

[Mustanggt]

Originally posted by: Denithor
It's unlikely you'll see any difference going from an e6420 to an e8400.

I had my e6400 (2MB cache, your e6420 has 4MB) at 3GHz, swapped for an e8400 that I have run as high as 3.6GHz with no problems but also no noticeable differences. I mean, encoding videos may go slightly faster but it's certainly not worth the $200 I spent on the upgrade. No difference in games that I can see, which is what I mainly do with my rig. I'd say just OC your processor a bit higher and keep the $200 in your pocket (or spend it on a better video card or something).

I read a review somewhere comparing a 6300@3.5 Ghz and performance was the same as a stock E8500, Intel will be dropping prices the end of this month. going from a 8800GT to 4850 is not a big improvment also.

 

[Denithor]

And there is a hotfix for the 4850 as well as a "bandaid" for the high temperatures, look around the video forum for advice.

Or just get a Zalman VF900 to push the temps down nicely.