Upgrading Optiplex 745

deepinside · Jun 25, 2013

Hello There Tom's Hardware Community.
Well ill Just give a brief intro about me .
My Name is Hussam
Im a moderator on other website . I will not discuss it here . I know that is called Advertisement.

Ok Coming to my point.

I have a dell Optiplex 745 950 @ 3.4 GHz ; Pentium D { I know a bit old }. Recently i was checking threads about up-gradation of Optiplex 745 and was excited to see that some people suggested Q6600-6700 Quad Core .
Therefore , My question is can we really up-grade it to Core 2 Quad Processor ? (Q6600-6700).My PC FSB max Speed is 1066 MHz

If that is Possible , tell me the requirments . of placing Quad Core Chip

C12Friedman · Jun 25, 2013

It would seem that there are Core 2 Duo (I found no reference to Core 2 quads though) CPU's supported by Dell for that model which Dell lists here http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/opti_745techspecs.pdf (direct PDF link). But, there also seems to be a modded BIOS to run a Core 2 Quad and a search may be enlightening. As you say, it has been done, I would think simply with the BIOS mod you would be set for the swap - the trick I think is to find a modded BIOS you're comfortable using

deepinside · Jun 26, 2013

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/333836-28-dell-optiplex-upgrade

Then what is that ?

Please i need more answers , to make sure that it is possible to upgrade this 745 to a quad core

C12Friedman · Jun 26, 2013

Yes it is possible, reference here; http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1273644 and here, http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/1111369 the list goes on... some even go as far as to say using the latest BIOS from Dell will allow the Quad CPU's to work - no modding of BIOS needed. I'm not sure of that though

Kisianik · Jun 26, 2013

deepinside :

Yes, Q6600 will work, Q6700 as well. Let me add one more link to the mix http://en.community.dell.com/what-do-i-buy/for_enterprise/f/4516/t/18666624.aspx

Now, what you mean by

Please i need more answers , to make sure that it is possible to upgrade this 745 to a quad core

There could be some problems with cooling this CPU, do you need any help in this direction?
And this Q6600 can be overclocked to 3GHz in this Dell, cooling would be huge headache, so?

Anything else, I can help you with? Video Card, PSU?

deepinside · Jun 26, 2013

Im sorry for disturbing you again

.

I have one more question to ask :

Do i need to change a PSU if i overlock my PC to Quad Core [6600-6700]

deepinside · Jun 26, 2013

By the Way . Thanks For Helping and Giving Such a Great Start [ I love this Community ]

One thing More ?
Can i have any tutorial link on how to add Q6600/6700 in optiplex 745 ?

Kisianik · Jun 26, 2013

deepinside :

Unfortunately there is no such thing as tutorial, only forum users advices.

Do i need to change a PSU if i overlock my PC to Quad Core [6600-6700]

Dell usually uses 350 watt PSU for quads. You currently have 300 watt if you have Mini Tower.

So, here are a few questions to start with.
1. Which Optiplex 745 form factor you have look at the picture below and choose the most appropriate.

2. What is your geographical location, generally most users here located in English speaking countries, so links to parts will be in USA. I, personally, can link all parts in USA easily, in England using Amazon, if used parts needed, eBay USA or eBay UK, and if it comes to Asia - there are difficulties.

3. This question is continuation of number 2. If you located in Asia, I can provide you with advices, provide links to USA products so you know what are you looking for, but you would have to search for actual products by yourself in your country, or you would have to provide online retailers, so we can help you to search.

What else are you planning to upgrade.

4. GPU? Not so easy in this case.

5. PSU? It is OK to use 300 watt with Q6600 only if you not planning to add any extra components to your original configuration. But, at least 350 watt is recommended.

6. RAM?

7. If you are interested in overclock, cooling will be headache, more for you than for us, so are you interested?

8. Case cannot be upgraded/changed due to the fact that currently we are using ATX format, and most old Optiplexes and many other old Dell models are using BTX format, and there are no BTX cases available anymore.

And finally, users here are helping on their own free time, so at times there would be delays between answers.

So, now it is your turn.

deepinside · Jun 26, 2013

Answers :
1- MT [ Minitower ]
2-N/A
3- Yes I am From Asia [ Pakistan]
4- I already have a 512 mb video card
5- I dont know about the Power of my Power Supply

6- 4GB DDr2 800 mhz
7- Not Yet
8- Not interested

deepinside · Jun 27, 2013

Onething more ?
I can buy a new mother board ?

Kisianik · Jun 28, 2013

deepinside :

Thank you. Mini Tower saved you.

FIrst of all I need to know which CPU cooler you have Aluminum (for Core 2 Duo only) or Copper (for Quads), below is approximate picture of how they looks like

Power supply - open your side panel and look at label, should be around 300 watt.

Strongest video card can be used with power supply upgrade - AMD 7770.

And finally, users here are helping on their own free time, so at times there would be delays between answers.

I am not a mod here, just user like you, when I have extra time I am here, so patience is the virtue.

Pakistan. I have some experience with finding new parts, not used ones. CPU cooler is used only, this can be a problem!

You next.

LordHaHa · Jun 28, 2013

As far as I am aware, BTW, no consumer Dell motherboard supports BIOS based overclocking.

Also Dell usually (not always, but usually) uses proprietary motherboard mounting designs. So upgrading your motherboard could be difficult to impossible.

A quick question, since your current system can only go up to Wolfdale-based Core 2 parts, apparently, have you considered upgrading to a more modern motherboard and processor? Especially considering Core 2 quads are still fairly expensive.

Kisianik · Jun 28, 2013

@Lordhaha. Have you read all post, all links? I doubt, also how much you know about Dell, see I have Dell Inspiron 570 with officially not supported processor and overclocked?!
Q6600 overclock with BSEL tape mod, no BIOS required! So you know.
Also, I pointed out on my picture Dell proprietary Copper cooler which is used for Dells with Quads.

?

LordHaHa · Jun 29, 2013

I work with Dells regularly at home, at my place of employment, and with "pro-bono" computer work for others. Mainly the terminals I work with are Socket 478 and Socket 775 legacy systems.

Of course a physical modification like BSEL could work, I was referring to adjustments via firmware. I also realize this is a little off-topic in regards to what the original poster mentioned, but there seemed to be a drift into "Dell + OC" and decided to offer some thoughts about that particular subject.

Kisianik · Jun 29, 2013

LordHaHa :

As far as I am aware, BTW, no consumer Dell motherboard supports BIOS based overclocking.
As far as I remember certain XPS models of pre Alienware past, and most ALienware PCs of today support BIOS overclock, in fact BIOS has preset OC settings, it is not as open BIOS, but still there are consumer Dell models with BIOS supported overclock.

Also Dell usually (not always, but usually) uses proprietary motherboard mounting designs. So upgrading your motherboard could be difficult to impossible.
You mean motherboard mounting in the case, or mounting of CPU cooler to motherboard? Old Optiplex models, Dimension and some very old XPS are using BTX format, here you would be correct, but newer models, like the whole Inspiron line are using ATX format, very standard from my point of view. If you are talking about cooling, situation is about the same - BTX motherboards have proprietary coolers and majority of ATX motherboards have LGA related CPU cooler mountings, I used in my example, and I pointed out this, proprietary Dell made, CPU coolers. in Optiplex 745 the hottest officially supported CPU is Pentium D, Q6600 is about the same TDP, so copper cooler will work

A quick question, since your current system can only go up to Wolfdale-based Core 2 parts,
This is according to the official Dell. However people tested Q6600 (in this particular model) and it is working fine. I provided my example of Inspiron 570 for the same reason - maximum officially supported CPU is Athlon II x4 640, I think, and Phenom II x4 945, I was the first one, who documented installing Phenom II x4 965 BE, I think it happened in February 2012, and I was the second one who overclocked this Phenom using software, not hardware. So you can see that things are possible, you have to just try to do something insane and it might work.

Comments? I hope I clarified my previous statement.

LordHaHa · Jun 30, 2013

Kisianik :

I hate hijacking this thread a bit, but I guess I will make an additional statement since its become a point. I've mainly worked with the Dimension and Optiplex lines. Overclocking options outside of hard modifications are not an option there.

I would not be surprised though if Dell did have OC/UVolt settings in at least some of their pre-Alienware systems however, and certainly I would expect those features in an Alienware-branded system.

Kisianik :

If Dell has been moving (or has since moved) to standard ATX mounts, so much the better. Mainly I have been working with Optiplex 2## (varying releases of the 200 series) and the 620 (which is BTX) so obviously in my case non-standard is the order of the day. I have switched out the cooler for a 620 so the cooler specifications are very familiar.

Oddly enough, the only ATX/mATX form-factored case from Dell that I can recall seeing in recent memory was one for the Dimension 4300 (or was it the 4700?). Obviously a bit older than what we are talking about here, but I could certainly refurbish the thing if necessary.

Kisianik :

Congrats on your achievement. I don't necessarily do orthodox builds myself, so I can appreciate the feeling.

In any event, I'd like to see the OP have his issue resolved, so unless something significant needs to be commented upon here I will bow out for now.

deepinside · Jul 1, 2013

Well i am having Almunium One

Kisianik · Jul 8, 2013

deepinside :

Sorry for long delay, I was out from any forums for about 10 days.

Your problem is with Aluminum cooler, if you can find Copper one (if you know used parts retailer in your place), you can upgrade, if not - not recommended, considering that you don't have Mini Tower and adding extra cooling fans will be huge headache.

Just respond if you can find Copper cooler.

Upgrading Optiplex 745

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