topic Re: Upgrade Older Processor? I7-4770-4TH-GEN 3.4Ghz in Mobile and Desktop Processors

Upgrade Older Processor? I7-4770-4TH-GEN 3.4Ghz

marcrobert9 — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 18:32:31 GMT

So.... With Fry's no longer my go-to store, I need to upgrade my PC as my new mirrorless camera is really taxing my current build when using Adobe Photoshop / Premier, etc.....

My ASUS Maximus IX Hero / I7-4770-4TH-GEN 3.4Ghz / 32 GB Memory with multiple SSD's and HDD....

Just painfully slow at times....

I was thinking about simply installing a faster processor that is compatible with the Board... if they are still available.

https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-maximus/rog-maximus-ix-hero-model/helpdesk_cpu/

I'm useless trying to choose a "faster Processor / More threads, etc. from the list..... and a call to Intel Customer Service failed to provide the needed info....

Hopefully this is a possibility with your suggestions....

Thanks!

Re: Upgrade Older Processor? I7-4770-4TH-GEN 3.4Ghz

pressed_for_time — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:41:38 GMT

Are you sure the details about the CPU/motherboard are correct? The 4770 fitted the ASUS Maximum Hero VI not the IX.

Re: Upgrade Older Processor? I7-4770-4TH-GEN 3.4Ghz

marcrobert9 — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:59:13 GMT

Many thanks for replying!

Just confirmed that the Maximus IX Hero / I7-4770-4TH-GEN 3.4Ghz combo is what was purchased in (Gulp!) 2013.... as this combo was shown to be acceptable.. again at the time in the store as I was choosing the parts, and confirming with the "knowledgeable" staff...

This is the combo used since then... but never experienced any incompatibility issues.... know that its never been used for Gaming...... or has been Overclocked....

If indeed this Processor is not correct from the get go, but it does work on this Board... is it possible its never been working to its designed abilities?

With this new info in mind.... I'm open to suggestions on how to move forward.....

Wow.....

Re: Upgrade Older Processor? I7-4770-4TH-GEN 3.4Ghz

AlHill — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 20:26:11 GMT

Before you can think about upgrades, you need to know what processors your bios supports.

Ask your motherboard manufacturer.

Where can you get these processors? that auction site is a fair place to start.

Or, you could use the asus website for what it is intended:

https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-maximus/rog-maximus-ix-hero-model/helpdesk_cpu/

Painfully slow usually indicates a lack of proper maintenance, both hardware and software.

If an incorrect processor (gulb) it may work some, it may not work at all.

Doc (not an Intel employee or contractor)
[W10 is this generation's XP]

Re: Upgrade Older Processor? I7-4770-4TH-GEN 3.4Ghz

marcrobert9 — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 20:32:16 GMT

The Processor was to the best of my knowledge listed for this MB at the time... yes.. so long ago.... but as was just pointed out is no longer listed.... No need to ask Asus.. the long list of compatible Processor's is right there on the link above.

Amazon also lists many of them..... Painfully slow is only when using Photoshop RAW's Noise Reduction and similar.... No doubt a current rig would be faster, but its snappy for simple tasks that don't strain it otherwise.

Proper Maintenance? If only it was that easy! The internals are cleaned regularly, and I typically reinstall Windows parodically at the first sign of bugs....

Now as I mentioned I wonder if indeed the Processor that's been in there is dragging its down its full capability......

Re: Upgrade Older Processor? I7-4770-4TH-GEN 3.4Ghz

AlHill — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 20:45:39 GMT

I would doubt ythat the processor was supported, and then removed. Manufacturers typically do not add bios support for a processsor and then remove it.

Did you check the required hardware and software support requited by Photoshop? Most user do not and have the same complaint.

Maintenance? You have a 12-year-old processor. Have you replaced the thermal paste? Have you cleaned cpu and case fans? Are the fans working? Have you provided proper ventilation? I have twenty machines that I keep operational.

For the software, what AV are you using? How many startup apps do you have? What do you have running that you do not need?

After 12 -years, I am skeptical regarding this hardware. Sorry, but I maintain enough machines and have been in the business for a long time. When something smells, I say it smells.

Doc (not an Intel employee or contractor)
[W10 is this generation's XP]

Re: Upgrade Older Processor? I7-4770-4TH-GEN 3.4Ghz

marcrobert9 — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 21:33:13 GMT

Doc....

I hear you that it's unlikely the processor was removed and at the time it was simply the fact that I was advised incorrectly that this was a compatible processor..... The weird part is it worked with no indicators of problems.... then and now, but the how well is it working?

And would an "approved" chip provide a noticeable improvement?

Adobe says ""Intel 6th Generation or newer processor or AMD equivalent with SSE4.2 support"

Maintenance?.... I should have added I clean the intake filters monthly and that not only does the case get an Air enema twice a year or when I see any accumulated Dust through the window I installed, I use a painters brush to remove stubborn dust on ALLL the Fan Blades through-out.

Just last year I again checked and replaced the Thermal Compound and have the Corsair Power Supply APP monitoring all the various temps & voltages....

I'm using the Windows Defender only as we know that multiple AV's will seriously bog down ops... and the only running apps are Outlook and the standard stuff......

All my SSD's + HD's are in Mobile Docks so I can play with different WIN Flavors and easily upgrade when need if I think anything is wrong.. or just testing new Software.

Your suggestions are of course spot -on and I cringe when I see others with dust clogged PC's and Laptops..... knowing what it is cooking in them.... not to mention the unknown stuff they've innocently downloaded.

But now that I know that this was not an approved Processor, I wonder how it's worked so well for so long, and if I should spend the 100-200 bucks for a new one:

Core i7-7700K (4.2GHz, 4C, HT, L3:8M,Intel HD 600 series , 91W, rev.B0)

If indeed this is the fastest still available.... from the list:

https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-maximus/rog-maximus-ix-hero-model/helpdesk_cpu/

And I hadn't thought about E-Bay till you mentioned it.... THX for that as they are under $100.....

Re: Upgrade Older Processor? I7-4770-4TH-GEN 3.4Ghz

marcrobert9 — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 22:50:14 GMT

PFT and all who responded....

It's only been 12 years... but PFT revealed something I never realized before.....

This is what I discovered..... The CORRECT Model of my CPU is:

Core i7-7700 (3.6GHz, 4C, HT, L3:8M, Intel HD 600 series, 65W, rev.B0)

It is NOT the i7-4770 as is documented on the Sales Receipt....

I also confirmed the i7-7700 and Serial number via the OEM Intel Box (yes... I still have it) along with the System Report from Windows and CPU-Z report.

Even the Intel OEM Model Number is Correct for the 7700....

I never noticed this prior and am still not sure why the two do not match.

And just checked and this CPU is listed for this motherboard.....

And it appears this CPU was the fastest available at the time for this Board... and still is.

Weird!

Re: Upgrade Older Processor? I7-4770-4TH-GEN 3.4Ghz

AlHill — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 23:04:45 GMT

Windows 10 settings, system, about will reveal your processor model number. Or, the next time you clean and replace your thermal paste. And your processor is only 8 years old, and discontinued and no longer serviced:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/97128/intel-core-i77700-processor-8m-cache-up-to-4-20-ghz/specifications.html?wapkw=i7-7700

How did an 8-year old processor, get into a 12-year-old machine?

Whatever the case, there is nothing that be done for you here.

Doc (not an Intel employee or contractor)
[W10 is this generation's XP]