Do I need to reinstall windows after replacing the CPU

[Master_Oogway]

I have an old C707TU laptop with me. Still running good. I have read the manual and I think I can change the processor of the laptop (c707tu) from t2310 to intel t8300. 

 A. Do I need to reinstall windows (currently on windows 7 Enterprise 32 bit) after the upgrade.?

 B. Do I need to manually update or replace any drivers?

 C. Can I Install windows 7/10 64 bit after the upgrade?

 D. Should I really go for this upgrade?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

After installing the processor, you will not need to reinstall windows.

Since the PC can only take 2 x 2 GB of memory, there is no real advantage to switching to a 64 bit OS unless you can do it for free.

A 64 bit OS requires more disk space and memory to run than a 32 bit OS does.  Not double, but more.

You can upgrade to W7 32 or 64 bit, but W10 is a stretch, and there is a good chance some major components won't work on W10 such as the audio and wireless.

As for doing the upgrade...There is one thing that may be stopping you...If your notebook has a GL960 chipset, it will not support any processor upgrade beyond those processors with 533 MHz FSB's.

https://ark.intel.com/products/29830/Intel-82GL960-Graphics-and-Memory-Controller

So the first thing you need to do is to confirm what the chipset is in your PC's motherboard.

In order to upgrade to the T8300, the chipset has to be the Mobile Intel 965 chipset, not the GL960.

I have zipped up and attached a free utility that should report the chipset your motherboard has.

Here is a side by side comparison of what you have in there now and the T8300...

IMO, it would be a nice upgrade if your notebook has the right motherboard chipset.

http://ark.intel.com/compare/33099,32431

Check the memory your PC has.   If it is PC2-5300, then you are all set.  If it is PC2-4200 then you may want to change that out to PC2-5300 or PC2-6400 so the memory can run at 667 MHz instead of 533 MHz which is all it can run at with the T2310.

[Master_Oogway]

Thank you for the reply. And my motherboard is Intel GM965 Express. Now am I able to upgrade the CPU?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, you can proceed.

[Master_Oogway]

One more thing.. do I have to update/replace any drivers, after the CPU upgrade? Or windows 7 will take care of everything..

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Windows will take care of everything.

[Master_Oogway]

just found that T9300 is also compatible with the chipset. but according to service manual T8300 is the maximum supported CPU. Should i go for T9300 as it has double the cache size(6mb L2)? the price is not an issue here.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You can actually go for the T9500 on that chipset, but the service manual says otherwise (max is T8300).

Here's the problem...while the chipset may support the T9300/T9500, the BIOS may not.

The BIOS needs to have the microcode update for those processors, and if it doesn't, then there is a good chance they won't work.

If you look at the BIOS revision history link below, you will see that no support was added for additional processors such as the T9300.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/compaq-presario-c700-notebook-pc-series/3...

So, all I can say is that you can try the T9300 or T9500 at your own risk.

They'll fit in the socket and use the same voltage but will they work?

Unfortunately, that I do not know.