Determine which replacement CPUs your system’s motherboard can use by running the Intel Chipset Identification Utility.

Turn off machine and when removing processor, once HS is disengaged from motherboard, twist the heatsink in place to kind of loosen it instead of directly trying to pull it off the motherboard.

I'm looking at the possibility of replacing my existing motherboard and processor I have around £200 saved up but I can maybe push that to £300-400 in the coming months.

His question: where to find a replacement, or, better yet, an upgrade? A quick Google search (ahem) revealed a motherboard replacement, complete with CPU and fan, for $109.95.

If your CPU goes bad, or the socket on your motherboard supports a faster processor than what's installed in your computer, you might need to remove the current CPU to make room for a replacement.

Processor Compatibility Every processor has a socket type that must match the motherboard's CPU socket -- mismatched processors will not fit into an incompatible motherboard.