i3-2300 to i7-2600

[schmoopy1]

I have a p7-1120 HP PC with an i3-2300 stated on the label as the installed processor.
I looked in the following document and picked the i7-2600 at the top  of the list as a valid processor upgrade. I noticed that the difference in wattage is 65W vs 95W.
 https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03012519/
 
 I have not opened the case yet but I thought I should ask about if I can simply swap them, and use the fan/heatsink that is there or am I  missing something?

Do I also need to update the BIOS?

I purchased and i7-2600 and MX-4 thermal compound.

 Thanks for your help, Bob

[Huffer]

A good technician will always flash the BIOS to the latest version before upgrading the CPU just as a best practice but it is not strictly necessary. And yes the i7-2600 is listed as compatible which means it is designed to work using the same heatsink. 

[schmoopy1]

Thanks for the fast reply!! Regarding the BIOS flash...when you say it's not strictly necessary do you mean it should recognized and support the chip?

From what research I've done I believe I can download the software from HP Support site and it will step me through the process...but if it's not neccessary then I am on the fence.

Thanks, Bob

[Huffer]

If you can do the BIOS flash do it. As I said best practice but since the computer was offered new from the factory with the i7 then any BIOS level will support it. 

[schmoopy1]

Again, thanks for the quick replay. Ok so the fact that it states that it is i7-2600 compatable in the document regarding processor upgrade means it was offered with that processor as well.

Thank You, I will give it a go.

Bob

[Huffer]

Yes the spec sheet is just a list of the configurations offered by HP from the factory.