I'm upgrading a PC built around an older Gigabyte GA-H110-D3A motherboard. The original Core i5-6500 works normally, but installing a Core i7-7700K makes the system repeatedly restart before it can even reach the BIOS. I installed the newest BIOS available from Gigabyte, but that didn't change anything. Reinstalling the i5 immediately restores normal operation. What else should I check?
1 Answer
Start by checking the CPU socket very carefully for even slightly bent pins and inspect the contact pads on the processor. Also clear the CMOS after changing CPUs and confirm that the installed BIOS version specifically supports the i7-7700K. The 7700K has a higher 91 W TDP than the i5-6500’s 65 W, so power delivery could be worth investigating, although the motherboard, CPU, and socket compatibility are more likely concerns here.
The socket pins and CPU pads look fine. My power supply is rated roughly 100 W above what online calculators recommend, so I don’t think the PSU is underpowered.