Is it safe to upgrade CPUs without reinstalling Windows?

[426Hemi]

My desktop system has a AMD X2 5000+ and I have an AMD X2 6000+ laying around and was wondering if its (a) safe to upgrade CPUs without reinstalling Windows and (b) is it worth even upgrading in terms of power consumption and performance?

[JAC]

a) yes
b) why not? you might even be able to OC it to 3225MHz (215x15.0) .

[Oversized Rooster]

Yes and yes.

[mlc2000]

Windows hates hardware upgrades.

FOr the hassles, I would just recommend a re-install.

[terrybear]

only time you would need to is if ya installed the dual core optimizer driver & where moving to a phenom cpu then you'd have to remove it. Otherwise its all good. :)

[Hybrid88]

You should first verify that your motherboard can accept the new or upgraded cpu chip. If not, check for a bios update.

[Desolatax]

Windows hates hardware upgrades.

FOr the hassles, I would just recommend a re-install.

CPU upgrades don't matter to windows, only chipset upgrades (you can get away sometimes with the same chipset family)

[426Hemi]

OK, I guess its gonna be upgraded! Anyone know how much I should sell the AMD X2 5000+ cpu for?

[Oversized Rooster]

OK, I guess its gonna be upgraded! Anyone know how much I should sell the AMD X2 5000+ cpu for?

Around $50.

[coolspot]

My desktop system has a AMD X2 5000+ and I have an AMD X2 6000+ laying around and was wondering if its (a) safe to upgrade CPUs without reinstalling Windows and (b) is it worth even upgrading in terms of power consumption and performance?

Only time it matters is when you upgrade single core to dual/multi-core.

[terrybear]

Around $50.

+1

as I was only able to sell my 5600+ for $65 & that was with a freebie !!:(

[h2o-]

Windows hates hardware upgrades.

FOr the hassles, I would just recommend a re-install.

Not 100% true to me... from what my experience told, I had to reinstall Windows if there is a motherboard changed on the system.

[board123]

You only need to re-install if you need to re-install.

I know it sounds stupid, but it's the only thing that makes sense. Install your new hardware, boot into Windows and see if everything plays nicely. If no, then you need to re-install.

For CPU upgrades, you do not need to re-install.

[terrybear]

For CPU upgrades, you do not need to re-install.
+1

Cpus, videocards, ram, soundcard, ethernet ususaly ya don't need to re install. Harddrives & motherboards you'll probly quite have to do a fresh install.

[coolspot]

+1
Harddrives

You don't need a fresh install for a hard drive - just image the data over.

[terrybear]

You don't need a fresh install for a hard drive - just image the data over.

maybe so but that doesn't always work not do most users know how to do so.

[matkun]

maybe so but that doesn't always work not do most users know how to do so.

I'd disagree. You can easily download a trial version of something like Acronis Migrate Easy. All you do is run it, tell it to copy data over to the new drive you put in. Once it finishes copying, you remove the old drive and your done.

[gche_99]

maybe so but that doesn't always work not do most users know how to do so.

This is why Acronis is the recommended ghosting image tool. Easy to use and almost foolproof. Step by step instructions and even reminds you to swap the harddrive when the imaging is done.

As to motherboard changes, technically you can get by with a just a repair.

Check out
http://www.theeldergeek.com/replace_motherboard.htm

[ShadowVlican]

You only need to re-install if you need to re-install.

I know it sounds stupid, but it's the only thing that makes sense. Install your new hardware, boot into Windows and see if everything plays nicely. If no, then you need to re-install.

For CPU upgrades, you do not need to re-install.
+1 to that...

i got lucky when i switched motherboards with my friend (my A8N-E for his DFI Ultra-D... both utilize NF4 Ultra chipsets)... he had to reinstall drivers but mine worked just fine :cheesygri