Alienware Aurora R2 upgrade CPU to i7 870 w/o replacing liquid cooling heatsink?

Mardanos · Oct 31, 2015

I have a question about upgrading my current CPU (which is a i5 650) to a slightly more updated i7 870 CPU. I chose this CPU because I have an older motherboard that has the same chip socket (1156 socket) and is compatible.

The main thing I'm worried about is the Alienware Aurora R2 heatsink which is this fan attached to a pump that apparently is a proprietary liquid cooling pump/fan system.

This is the link to the cooling system:

http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Dell-Alienware-Aurora-R2-Cooling-System-CPU-PP749-HRGD5/263418341?gpid=76984044061&gpkwd=&goog_pla=1&gclid=CMOPocP17MgCFYkXHwod_3kEPA

I'd like to know if I can upgrade the processor to the i7 870 CPU and NOT have to replace the heatsink/cooler/pump system.

If anyone is interested here is my computer info:

Motherboard: Alienware Model 0RV30W with CPU socket 1156 LGA.
CPU: i5 650 3.20 GHz
Graphics card: Radeon R9 270 (I upgraded from an old HD 5670 a year ago).
RAM: 12 GB (also upgraded from 4 GB)
Alienware BIOS: A04

I mostly want a quad core processor to play Witcher 3 and Fallout 4 at medium to high settings.

Y0GI · Oct 31, 2015

Mardanos :

The cooling system should work just fine.

However, the MOBO BIOS may not support the new CPU. Check the Alienware site to see if any BIOS updates are listed which support the new CPU. They may not list CPU/BIOS compatibility, if so, you'll have to contact Alienware Tech Support for the answer.

Yogi

Mardanos · Oct 31, 2015

Ah, that was something I read about as well. The lastest BIOS update is the A04 which is some years old now. I will try and contact Alienware and see if this CPU is supported.

I will update this post when I have an answer.

I appreciate the quick reply as well.

RobCrezz · Oct 31, 2015

Yeah that cooler will work just fine with the i7 870. Its jsut another Asetek cooler (same ones who make for corsair, NZXT etc), but it has a weird power connector.

That cpu should work just fine. I would suggest overclocking it some to get the most out of it if alienware give you that option.

Mardanos · Oct 31, 2015

I think using an i7 870 would be good too since I'm looking at the official bios page and it says that my current bios A04 has the following info:

Fixes & Enhancements
Added support for Intel Core i7 920 processor overclocking

If it supports i7 920 it should support i7 870 since the 920 is newer.

Alright, I'm getting it then. Thanks for the help Y0GI and RobCreez.

Y0GI · Oct 31, 2015

Mardanos :

You're welcome, Mardanos.

Yogi

RobCrezz · Nov 2, 2015

Mardanos :

Check its the right bios, as that board shouldnt support he i7 920 as its a different socket type! (your current cpu and the i7 870 are 1156, the 920 is socket 1366)

Mardanos · Nov 4, 2015

RobCrezz :

Yes I know the i7 920 won't fit with my motherboard but I was using that as an example. Since the A04 alienware BIOS update even mentions the i7 920 means that it has to support the i7 870 since the 920 is newer than that one.

RobCrezz · Nov 4, 2015

Mardanos :

RobCrezz :

Yes I know the i7 920 won't fit with my motherboard but I was using that as an example. Since the A04 alienware BIOS update even mentions the i7 920 means that it has to support the i7 870 since the 920 is newer than that one.

Yeah but its not though, the 870 is newer than the 920.

920 released: Q4 2008
870 released: Q3 2009

Mardanos · Nov 4, 2015

RobCrezz :

Mardanos :

Yeah but its not though, the 870 is newer than the 920.

920 released: Q4 2008
870 released: Q3 2009

Oh didn't know that. Thanks for the clarification.

I did get an i7 870 though and installed it and it seems to be working fine.

I may update this if it ends up screwing up but so far so good.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

Search

Alienware Aurora R2 upgrade CPU to i7 870 w/o replacing liquid cooling heatsink?

Mardanos

Reputable

Y0GI

Y0GI

Splendid

Mardanos

Reputable

RobCrezz

Expert

Mardanos

Reputable

Y0GI

Splendid

RobCrezz

Expert

Mardanos

Reputable

RobCrezz

Expert

Mardanos

Reputable

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page