Changing out a computer processor

[jkhonea]

Well, might as well be the first to break this part of the board in. First, thanks y'all, for the advice on upgrading the hard drive on the desktop. Went PERFECT! Installed the new 1 TB Barracuda hard drive and had Windows 7 completely up and running in less than thirty minutes. I've never seen Windows 7 install that fast. Then actually went a step further and shifted my old drive to a secondary slave. I have to admit, the interior of the Dell XPS 420 is VERY upgrade friendly, I was floored!

Sooooo, next possible project. :D

Since I've gotten bitten by the tech bug slowly, I'm tinkering again. Turns out the processor is VERY easy to get to and replace in the Dell. Actually designed to be upgraded. Anyway, it currently has a 2.4 gHz Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor. Runs pretty good but I'm thinking about more.

So now I've started looking and it seems Microcenter has a screaming deal on a Q9550 Processor, 2.83 gHz Core 2 Quad for $179.00. That's about $50 to $60 cheaper than most anywhere else on the web.

Question is, should it simply be a matter of unplugging the old chip and plugging the new one in and it will figure everything out on its own or will I need to go into BIOS and such to adjust things? Also, would there be enough difference in the speed of the chip to warrant the cost?

To give you an idea of my use, my primary is architecture and Adobe. When I'm drawing I typically have three windows open for the CAD program, two being renderings, one floor plan, also Microsoft Word and Adobe Writer Professional. With the internet and Outlook also running.

Thoughts? Would it be worth it?

[MX Tuner]

Have you been to Fry's Electronics?

[jkhonea]

Yup, checked there on the pricing along with Newegg and TigerDirect. Running about $273 everywhere else. That's why I was so amazed at the Microcenter pricing.

[TroyBoy30]

depends on chip type. may have to purchase a new heat sync with the chip and install new thermal paste or you may be able to purchase a pair already joined

if I was you i'd skip core 2 and go directly to i7 or even wait a month for the i9

[jkhonea]

Thought about that but would have to change my entire motherboard. Don't feel like getting into that kind of project. I'm on a 45nm socket 775. i5, i7, and i9 all were showing a different socket setup than what I currently have.

[Gmoney]

yeah you can't go to the I series - but I would really look at the I7 for the rendering you do - make a HUGE differnce - I just setup a company who does 3d rendering with I7's and it was amazing improvment on the quid cores they were running.

[Ride4Life]

Other have done so before you ... try this link:
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19242670.aspx

Summary: Pretty much plug-n-play going from Q6600 to Q9550
and you can use same heat sink - just re-apply thermal compund.
Make sure to have the most current BIOS first.

The new "I"-series processors are not socket type of LGA775.

[Gmoney]

make sure you use a good etcher/cleaner to get the old thermal compound out before apply new - it comes in a 2 part process.

[jkhonea]

I was wondering about the thermal compound part. Cool, doesn't sound like anything terrible. I'll probably build a new computer next time around, but for right now, jumping for the 9550 should do. Now that I'm slowly seeing what and how to do things again, I'm actually getting brave enough to build one. But this one ain't dead yet, so we're gonna let it ride for the moment. But probably will pick up the chip, sounds like it would be a good idea.

[Gmoney]

http://pcdirect.com/arsiarthmacl.html

[Gmoney]

by the way - pcdirect is another decent place to get stuff - free shipping and good deals... i do a lot of work for them.

[jkhonea]

They're actually $317 for the same processor. Microcenter is looking better and better.

[impalanar]

They're actually $317 for the same processor. Microcenter is looking better and better.

That is a good price for that processor. The only reason I don't do that upgrade is that it would require me to take my MoBo out. I use a big copper heatsink that has a mounting plate on the back of the MoBo.

Edit: CPU performance charts from Tom's Hardware. http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2009-desktop-cpu-charts-update-1/benchmarks,60.html

[jkhonea]

I think I will see about making that jump. Waiting for a couple more checks to come in but Dell's how to on their site actually shows the step by step and its actually very upgrade friendly. Any idea about adjusting the BIOS or do you think it would pick it up automatically?

[jkhonea]

David that link is VERY helpful. Thanks so much. Looking at the charts, I would see a pretty good increase by jumping the processor. All the scores looked pretty damn good.

[impalanar]

I think I will see about making that jump. Waiting for a couple more checks to come in but Dell's how to on their site actually shows the step by step and its actually very upgrade friendly. Any idea about adjusting the BIOS or do you think it would pick it up automatically?

I would update the BIOS to the latest prior to making a change like a processor.

[jkhonea]

I would update the BIOS to the latest prior to making a change like a processor.

Stupid question, but where would be the best place to pull the latest BIOS? Dell's website?

[jkhonea]

Actually, nevermind. Went back to the Dell website and pulled it from them. Went from A03 to version A07. Believe I saw A07 was from middle of latter half of 2009, so that should be perfect. Probably going to see about grabbing that processor this weekend and tinker again. At least I'll be caught up on the computer for a good while again. Think I will start studying upgrades and building again for my personal knowledge. Would be good to remember enough to start consulting a little again. This is pathetic I have a damn IT degree and have to relearn so much of this stuff.

[Gmoney]

bios will pick up the new processor...

[Gmoney]

and when u get caught up with learning - you can fix this damn 2008 server that dumped all its permisions... lot of pissed off mcdonald managers right now :D

[Eandrews]

^^Yep your current bios will pick it up. we just did an i5 on a MSI Mainboard for Powerspec server - Micro Center has the sweetest deals on Gigabyte boards and processors in my opion. Depending on the chipsets your imaging should be easy... we use Acronis to image and have about 2000 in our package with XP Pro. Vista downgrades are the biggest challenge with the SATA drivers

[Eandrews]

and when u get caught up with learning - you can fix this damn 2008 server that dumped all its permisions... lot of pissed off mcdonald managers right now :D

PHYSICAL MEMORY DUMP coming in 3...............2.....................1........... ............. the screen of death...

[jkhonea]

Upgraded the hard drive last week to a SATA 1 TB and have a second 450 MB running also. Did a fresh Windows 7 install when I put the new hard drive in with no problems. Just found the latest BIOS drivers from Dell and reflashed the motherboard a little while ago so it all should be good to go. Just switch the chip out and power back up, sounds like.

Cool.

[everyday3]

Yep its pretty easy to do. Just make sure you get some silicone heat stuff to put on the top of the chip before you add the fan and ground yourself. Static electricity is bad.

[jkhonea]

Yeah, I can see where the static might be kinda a bad thing. :lol:

[jkhonea]

Check out the online directions directly from Dell to replace the processor. This is what I was saying about how surprisingly user friendly this machine is, much moreso than any other I've had. The fan is actually attached on a hinged shroud over the chip. Undo two screws and the whole thing hinges up and out of the way. Then a quick release clip for the processor. I'm pretty impressed.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps420/en/OM/HTML/parts.htm#wp1490496

[Back Marker]

recommendation: purchase a smaller HDD for your system drive and use an internal green HDD for system images and regular file backups. green drives makes use of low power mode for backup drives.

-a|ex

[chris948]

generally you want to replace the processor before reinstalling the OS. There are variables that the OS sets at the time of installation depending on the installed processor. Not a huge issue just fyi.

[SpeedGeek]

BTW, John, if you need thermal paste and/or cleaner to take the old stuff off the heatsink before applying new, give me a call and swing by the house... I have both that you're welcome to use (just bring back the leftovers, there's NO WAY you'll use it all up)...

And when applying thermal paste, remember, don't GLOB it on!!!! the idea of the paste is ONLY to fill in imprefections in the surfaces of the top of the CPU and bottom of the HSF. So you want it on there pretty much paper thin. If you put too much, you'll actually REDUCE the amount of heat transfer between the two....


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^ PASTE HERE to fill in all those bumps ^
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[2ToeRacing]

Your not going to see a big different between the 6600 and the 9550 in everyday workings. If I was you I'd save your money and build a computer on the next up and cumming chip.

[Sanchez]

Awesome. I picked one up over the weekend and put it in tonight. At first, it was actually a bit slower than my Q6600. I had to update the bios. Now it's kicking along nicely. It reduced a 5+ minute video render down to 3:45, which is even better than I expected. :up:

[Sanchez]

Oh, and DDR2 ram is pretty cheap now too. I snagged 4 x 2GB sticks for $150 on eBay the other day. That made a huge difference in Lightroom even before the CPU upgrade.

[jkhonea]

Awesome. I picked one up over the weekend and put it in tonight. At first, it was actually a bit slower than my Q6600. I had to update the bios. Now it's kicking along nicely. It reduced a 5+ minute video render down to 3:45, which is even better than I expected. :up:

Yup, had very similar results on mine. Definitely runs great when you bring the bios up. I'm loving the chip. Plus tying it to a new videocard, its humming along nicely.

[jkhonea]

Your not going to see a big different between the 6600 and the 9550 in everyday workings. If I was you I'd save your money and build a computer on the next up and cumming chip.

Really? Sped my renderings up pretty heavily. Very cheap upgrade for the performance.

[wallypiper]

I would say that renderings are not what most people consider everyday workings. Very processor intensive compared to the usual Word/Excel/Outlook/PP/browser routine.

My homebuilt has finally become rock solid after a BIOS update from Gigabyte (about the third one I've tried). 20 hours of Prime95 with no errors and 10 passes through Memtest86+ with no errors.

:handclap:

Q9550 at 2.83 (stock speed) and 2 x 2 GB of Corsair Dominator DDR2 at 1066/5-5-5-15 (EPP rating).

Prior to the current BIOS, no timings seemed to work with the RAM. Latest BIOS cleaned it up.

[jkhonea]

I would say that renderings are not what most people consider everyday workings. Very processor intensive compared to the usual Word/Excel/Outlook/PP/browser routine.


Very good point. I would say there are some very specific things I looks for with performance that a lot of others probably wouldn't see. The architecture programs definitely can put a hurting on a processor.

I have noticed all of my Adobe programs running better, it seems, also. Photoshot especially loading faster. This will definitely do it for me for awhile. At least until the next version of Softplan comes out, hopefully longer.

[KBlask]

If only I had gotten here sooner. Those Q6600's were some of the best overclocking chips intel ever produced. You could have likely gotten it up to 3.0-3.2ghz on stock voltage. Likely 3.6 with some extra voltage and some tinkering. I won't lie though, the Q9550 is a great chip as well. You should start getting your hands dirty in the bios, they're easily capable of 4ghz.