CPU/Mobo Will my RAM be compatible after this minor upgrade.

[Argus]

Current config :

CPU : Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 (bus speed 800 MHz)
Motherboard : Biostar P35 socket LGA775
RAM : 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 MHz


Now, I want to swap my E4400 with a Q9400. Both processors are LGA775 and my motherboard supports both.

My question is : will my 800 MHz RAM be compatible with the 1333 MHz Q9400 processor or do i have to buy new 1333 MHz ram sticks.
So, can I swap the processors and be good to go or can there be some compatibility/hardware issue.


Second question : After swapping processors, would I be able to use my existing Win 7 64 bit installation or will I need a fresh Install.

Thanks in advance

 

[madara_uchiha]

firstly ,forget about 1333mhz,its not relevant to your questions and doesnt factor in your ram compatibility.just remember q9400 processor is supported by your mobo.so if you do indeed install q9400,there wont be any hardware complication and you wont have to buy any new dimm(ram)sticks.

second :your mobo supports this proccy however it should also support enough tdp ,to know if your mobo can run this proccy ,look at its max tdp,if its 95w+ you are in the clear.simply swap out ur proccy if this condition is met.

thirdly: yes,after swapping processors you will be able to use your existing win 7 64 bit installation.

also to be on the safe side do a bios update.

 

[Jakob]

Can you give us the link to the motherboard,Looks like Biostar P35 only supports DDR2 800mhz,Saying that the Biostar P35D2-A7 doesn't have Q9400 on it's support list that's why it'd be better if you confirm the mobo with a link.

Current config :

CPU : Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 (bus speed 800 MHz)
Motherboard : Biostar P35 socket LGA775
RAM : 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 MHz


Now, I want to swap my E4400 with a Q9400. Both processors are LGA775 and my motherboard supports both.

My question is : will my 800 MHz RAM be compatible with the 1333 MHz Q9400 processor or do i have to buy new 1333 MHz ram sticks.
So, can I swap the processors and be good to go or can there be some compatibility/hardware issue.


Second question : After swapping processors, would I be able to use my existing Win 7 64 bit installation or will I need a fresh Install.

Thanks in advance

 

[Argus]

firstly, forget about 1333mhz,its not relevant to your questions and doesnt factor in your ram compatibility.just remember q9400 processor is supported by your mobo.so if you do indeed install q9400,there wont be any hardware complication and you wont have to buy any new dimm(ram)sticks.

second :your mobo supports this proccy however it should also support enough tdp ,to know if your mobo can run this proccy ,look at its max tdp,if its 95w+ you are in the clear.simply swap out ur proccy if this condition is met.

thirdly: yes,after swapping processors you will be able to use your existing win 7 64 bit installation.

also to be on the safe side do a bios update.

Thanks, for your helpful reply

Can you give us the link to the motherboard,Looks like Biostar P35 only supports DDR2 800mhz,Saying that the Biostar P35D2-A7 doesn't have Q9400 on it's support list that's why it'd be better if you confirm the mobo with a link.

Link : TP35D2-A7 :: Motherboard :: BIOSTAR

The motherboard supports FSB of 1333 MHz and the specs show that it supports Q9550 which has the same TDP and FSB as Q9400 so there shouldn't be any problem.

 

[Argus]

Status update :
Today I changed the processor to Q9400 and it worked out of the box.
I was concerned about having to reinstall but my old Windows 7 64 bit is working fine.