Question about booting after replacing hardware components with new ones

[blazing plank]

Assuming I have a fallback image of the Linux kernel, my PC should boot after replacing any number of hardware components when using it to boot, like a CPU or GPU or Memory sticks, right?

Or, is there a limitation to this?
I know that Hard drives are a special case as they have a specific relationship to how the bootloader operates, but I'm assuming that replacing nearly any other component should be fine- so long as I boot from the fallback linux image rather than the normal linux image.

[last relic]

You mean the fallback initramfs? Also what hardware component are you changing? Why deal with hypotheticals, just say straight up.

When changing hardware it's best to prepare your system before changing it.

Going from intel to amd or vice versa? get the microcode for the other manufacturer. Swapping gpus? Install the proper driver.

Also keep a usb with the arch iso on it prepred in case of problems.

Relevant arch wiki article:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Migrate_installation_to_new_hardware

I recommend you read this article

[blazing plank]

Fallback initramfs, yes

[blazing plank]

Thanks, I hadn't known this article existed until now

[hot nacelle]

0fficerk received a thank you cookie!

[blazing plank]

I wanted to know if there was a general procedure or precautions for it.

But in the specific case I'm pondering, mainly just a GPU upgrade (amd to amd) and a CPU upgrade (AMD Ryzen to AMD Ryzen)

[last relic]

I doubt you would need to do much in this case, perhaps maybe if you're going from an old amd gpu to a new one you'd need to modify some driver stuff. But otherwise I don't think you need to do anything