In case your processor and motherboard are not compatible with each other, either of the following scenarios may take place.
- First, your new processor might not fit into the socket of the motherboard. This option is the better of the two, because it will not damage any component of your system. The only solution is to buy either a new processor or a new motherboard.
- Second, and you better hope this does not happen. The second case, which rarely happens is the time when your incompatible processor gets seated firmly in the motherboard but, does not get recognized by the motherboard and/or perform normally. This may damage either/or both of the components.
So it is extremely necessary that you know if the processor and the motherboard are compatible with each other or not before you go shopping.