It depends on the original motherboard whether it will support the new CPU or not. If you have an old motherboard like 4 years old or somethign like that, chances are you will need a new motherboard to go with a new CPU. CPU are easy to install if you are patient. They come "literally" poster sized instructions on how to install a CPU. You open up the package, install the CPU into it's socket on the motherboard, push down the lever to lock itin place, peel off the paper on the thermal pad (which is usually attached to the bottom of the heatsink, then mount the heatsink on there so that it's snug within the heatsink brackets. Then there's all these metal or plastic clips you have to push down into its supporting brackets that's on the motherboard.