Processor Upgrade Paths <Inquiry>
By
Father Xmas,
Posted on: 2010-02-11 18:49 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs
If you are worried about long in the tooth, you really need to upgrade to a core i7.
Thats a whole new system.. and Im not to that point yet. I like the machine, but it could stand a little boost, not a bullet to the head.
Tanker Tuesday #72 Oct 5 @Champion
"I am not sure if my portrayal of being insane is accurate, but damn its fun all the same."
Dude, you got a Dell.
First you need to make sure you have the latest BIOS.
Next is pray to whatever dark gods of the tech world that it'll will still work with the latest version of the Q9550. The BIOS is up to date for the C0 and C1 processor stepping but the current Q9550 is the E0 stepping. Don't ask, I don't know the difference, I just know that sometimes a BIOS upgrade is needed to support the quirks of a particular Stepping.
Then you have to disassemble the Dell BTX motherboard to get to the current CPU. I have no idea how the current heatsink is attached but you won't be able to use the stock Intel heatsink/fan because that's for an ATX motherboard. So you will have to clean the original heatsink and apply a new coat of thermal paste. The instructions for removing/attaching the heatsink/fan shroud is here and the processor instructions a little further down on the page.
This post will self-destruct in 5 seconds and good luck.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
According to http://processorfinder.intel.com/det...px?sSpec=SLAWQ the Q9550 is still C1 stepping.
Tanker Tuesday #72 Oct 5 @Champion
"I am not sure if my portrayal of being insane is accurate, but damn its fun all the same."
I see you and raise you http://processorfinder.intel.com/det...px?sSpec=SLB8V.
Sadly they use the same box part number.
Edit: the E0 stepping was released the 3rd week of August 2008.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
Swell, 2 chips with the same box number but are very different.... ugh.
I'd have to drop to the Q9450 to assure C1 stepping (only 1 version that chip, 2.6 vs 2.83 on speed... not too much of a step back).
Tanker Tuesday #72 Oct 5 @Champion
"I am not sure if my portrayal of being insane is accurate, but damn its fun all the same."
It's not that they are very different, just one is "new and improved but same great taste". You could post the question over at the Dell tech site about the E0 stepping and the XPS 420? Maybe the latest BIOS is compatible and it's just not in the notes.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
Okie, Ive got a E6850 core 2 duo on a Dell 0TP406 motherboard.
Its getting a little long in the tooth, I really like the machine, so I was thinking about going to a core 2 quad Q9550 (or close to.. but the same LGA 755 form factor). In theory I should be okay, but Im having one heck of a time finding if the board will support it. I know the board does support quad (it was an option when I got it Q6600 was the quad at the time), but is there someplace that has a great spread sheet of compatiabilities?
(Intel X38 chipset)
Tanker Tuesday #72 Oct 5 @Champion
"I am not sure if my portrayal of being insane is accurate, but damn its fun all the same."