Dell mobo... want to upgrade CPU...

T

ThecknoDecker

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Last time I bought a computer, I went for a Dell... after 3 computers custum built...

Well 3 years later, I'd like to upgraqde a few parts but according to Dell that is impossible.

I would like to find out if I can change my CPU on my mobo and what is available out there that would be compatible.

Any ideas how I should proceed?

Thanks.
 
My system is a XPS 630i, (tag is B69LPH1)
from the forums it seems that my mobo would be a nvidia 650i...

From the Bios i got the following:
I have a Phoenix AwardBios v 1.0.8 from 07/15/2008
my CPU is a Q9300 2.5 ghz
it says system type 630i...

A search for info on my mobo (with the maglite to shed some light) i don't see anything marked nvidia.
but I see some dell info:
ASSy: 411769600152
TT-PWA;TED-PP150. PWA-DRUID/MOTHERBOARD A00
PCB/PN: 316769600067
TF-PCB;TED-PP150, PWA-DRUID/MOTHERBOARD A01

Thanks for your help folks!
 
My other question would be is it worth to upgrading it? Or should I start replacing the mobo for a basic i7...
 
I agree with thecknodecker.

To answer your question though, your mobo is compatible with 45nm quads (what you have now) the only feasible upgrade would be to a Q9450, Q9550, or Q9650. luckily these use the same tech as your q9300, so you should be able to plug and play with any of those
 
I don't think it's worth the upgrade to a Q9X50 from a Q9300. I'd save your money and put it into a whole new system. You can get a used 2500k for the same price as a Q9X50 in some cases.
 
cj3waker said:
I agree with thecknodecker.

To answer your question though, your mobo is compatible with 45nm quads (what you have now) the only feasible upgrade would be to a Q9450, Q9550, or Q9650. luckily these use the same tech as your q9300, so you should be able to plug and play with any of those
Click to expand...

On the other hand, while this is technically true, such an upgrade is economically unfeasible (in terms of performance improvement for the buck): Even used, the least-expensive such upgraded CPU costs almost as much money as a new CPU and mobo combo that significantly outperforms that original Dell setup.
 
Not worth it for cpu upgrade.

Sell the puter and upgrade to sandy bridge.
 
E4g1e said:
On the other hand, while this is technically true, such an upgrade is economically unfeasible (in terms of performance improvement for the buck): Even used, the least-expensive such upgraded CPU costs almost as much money as a new CPU and mobo combo that significantly outperforms that original Dell setup.
Click to expand...

Well after putting a few numbers together, it would be a small investment but I think the OP would benefit from the die shrink and updated tech, moving off of the 775 socket and getting into the 1155 socket. Many people seem to forget that clock speed is NOT clock for clock between the different sockets. 3ghz on a 775 setup is NOT equal to or really close to 3ghz on an 1155 setup. Let's also not forget Ivy Bridge is around the corner so that's also another die shrink.. and with that comes some tiny perks such as native USB 3.0 and PCI Express 3.0 support.

Also, when IB comes out, you can probably expect a small reduction in the current Sandy Bridge processors price wise.. To make the move to an 1155 socket, it could be as cheap as this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078 $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.807002 $200

TOTAL $325


Or the suggestion in this thread of a 2500K setup:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072 $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.807002 $200

TOTAL $420

Certainly those $$$ numbers can be tweaked depending on where you buy your parts and also depending if you want a different motherboard or different ram. Right now, good 8gb's of RAM will cost you less than $50. A really decent Z68 motherboard with set you back maybe $150. Also, you may even want to consider if you even WANT the ability to overclock your CPU. On one of my little Core i3 2100 (3.1ghz) setups, I have a GTX 560 ti and 8gb's of ram. I am able to pull roughly 32 - 34 FPS on decent settings on the game called Rift. With the same settings on my 2600k (@ 4.8ghz), I had it paired with a GTX 580 and 16gb's of ram. I can only manage roughly 48 - 50 FPS. So, the price difference between my "budget" i3 2100 computer vs. my MUCH more expensive i7 2600k setup is very significant and I "only" gain about 16 more FPS on average.

So, my advise to the OP is, if you DO decide to transition from the 775 socket, the upgrade will definitely benefit you for a small cost. I have a pretty good setup on my 2600k and it is quite fast for my use, but for just a small difference in performance, my "budget" i3 setup can really perform. Having a Dell XPS, I can only surmise that you enjoy the gaming aspect of your rig? Curious, what GPU(s) are you using?
 
First, I would like to send my grateful appreciation to everyone who helped me here.

Well when this all started I wanted to upgrade my GPU (GeForce9800) which is doing acceptable in Rift with minimal settings.

I then realized that I was also CPU-bottleneck... Hence this thread.

Now I have decided to sell my rig to someone I know for a little price, and upgraded her rig (Mom). And I'll fully upgrade mine.

I'll be going for a Z68 mobo, a i7 2600K 8 gig of ram and a new GPU...
Since I'm canadian, well prices are a bit steeper but I should get by on my 1K$ budget.
z68 (160$): http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498
i7-2600K(320$) http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498
8gig (45$)
radeon6950 (300)
total 825+ 132 sales taxes... 957

that should be a nice rig.
 
You could save yourself $100 and get a 2500k instead. I doubt you'd notice a difference.
 
Dual sales tax: Canada is 5% and the province (Québec) is 9.5%

But that's nothing to my 48% income taxes... The Joy of living in Canada... A good health systems cost you an arm and a leg...


Ok So my upgrade as been purchase... just waiting on the delivery:
Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 ATX LGA1155 Z68 DDR3 1PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 2PCI HDMI SLI SATA3 USB3.0
Patriot G2 Series Division 2 8GB 2X4GB PC3-12800 DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24 1.65V Dual Channel
Intel Core i7 2600K Quad Core Unlocked Hyperthreading
Gigabyte Radeon HD 6970 900MHZ 2GB 5.5GHZ GDDR5
895$ including taxes shipping...
 
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