Upgrading my CPU

[ualdriver]

Hi all-

I have a Asus P5W DH Deluxe motherboard with an E6600 processor. I used the search function on this forum to figure out what my motherboard is compatible with and read the sticky about quad-core vs. dual-core- thanks to the forum for posting that info. I think I'm going to go with an upgrade to a Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550.

I do have a couple of more questions though that I had difficulty finding an exact answer to. After I upgrade my mobo's BIOS and purchase this Q9550, is there anything I need to do further other than simply remove the old heatsink/fan, remove the old processor, drop the new processor and heatsink/fan in, and then just boot it up? Is there anything else I should be considering? (I'm not overclocking or water cooling or anything like that)

This computer that I am upgrading was my first build so I just want to make sure there isn't anything else I should be considering before making the processor swap.

Thanks for your time,
ualdriver

 

[swanysto]

I would backup my hard drive and stuff, but no, you shouldn't have to do anything outside of flashing the BIOS. I think you also have to reset the CMOS, which I do by taking out the little round battery at the bottom of the board and putting it back in.

 

[yh125d]

Outside of flashing bios, that's it. Even though you're not planning to overclock I'd recommend buying an aftermarket heatsink. Quads run quite a bit hotter than their dual core counterparts even at stock speeds, and the boxed cooler Intel sends out these days is a paperweight.

Heres a few cheap options that will cool loads better than intel's cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835207004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835202007

 

[ualdriver]

Originally posted by: yh125d
Outside of flashing bios, that's it. Even though you're not planning to overclock I'd recommend buying an aftermarket heatsink. Quads run quite a bit hotter than their dual core counterparts even at stock speeds, and the boxed cooler Intel sends out these days is a paperweight.

Heres a few cheap options that will cool loads better than intel's cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835207004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835202007

Thanks yh & swan!