Upgrading CPU, is it worth it?

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vascobrissos14

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Hello, I have a Dell Optiplex 745 with a E6300 series CPU. Now, I was thinking on putting a low profile GPU (Asus Radeon HD5450 1GB DDR3 PCI-E) but the cpu is getting really slow so I looked on ebay and I found this Intel E8400 3GHz (http://www.ebay.com/itm/281702804346) and I think it's worth speding 50$ to revive this PC, isn't it?
Well, my question now is, is everything supported and compatible? And can it run CS:GO and Rocket League after the upgrade?
Thank you in advance

EDIT: The pc is the desktop version of the 745 series and has 4 GB of ram (2+1+1)
 
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SoNic67
Just get a Quad CPU in that MoBo, add a GPU like GT730, GT740 and don't look back. Just check the MoBo CPU support and install the latest firmware before swap.
Q6600, Q6700, QX6700, QX6800...
System Requirements for Rocket League (and similar online games) are really not that big, so it would work fine:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/252950/
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Calculagator

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I don't think it's worth it. You can pick up complete systems on ebay for ~$100 that would be much better. The entire machine as it is is worth less than $50.
If you want to do it just for fun/education, go ahead, but it isn't worth the expense and effort if you want to stretch your dollar.
 
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vascobrissos14

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Ye I'm kinda doing it for education and fun, and this was my very "good" pc long time ago so I wanted to give it a chance :)
My real question is if it can run CS and Rocket League after the upgrade
 
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SoNic67

SoNic67

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Just get a Quad CPU in that MoBo, add a GPU like GT730, GT740 and don't look back. Just check the MoBo CPU support and install the latest firmware before swap.
Q6600, Q6700, QX6700, QX6800...
System Requirements for Rocket League (and similar online games) are really not that big, so it would work fine:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/252950/
 
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vascobrissos14

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Which quad CPU would you recommend? I don't want to spend a lot of money on this pc, since I got a new one which is a beast compared to the Dell on xD. The mobo socket it LGA 775
Thank you

 
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vascobrissos14

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Can you send me the CPU you bought (link)? I searched on ebay for the Q6700 and it's 20€ more. I think the E8400 is good for 10€. Would be thankful if you sent me your cheaper CPU :)
 
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vascobrissos14

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Just checked CS:GO specs and it only requires a Core Duo E6600

Sistema Operativo: Windows® 7/Vista/XP
Processador: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6600 or AMD Phenom™ X3 8750 processor or better
Memória: 2 GB de RAM
Placa gráfica: Video card must be 256 MB or more and should be a DirectX 9-compatible with support for Pixel Shader 3.0

So the E8400+AMD HD5450 1GB DDR3 is enough, am I right? And it costs me 48€
 
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Martell1977

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From what I see on that Dell thread, you have to stick to CPU's with 800/1066mhz FSB and on the 65nm lithography. The e8400 will not work, it's 1333mhz FSB and 45nm. This is likely why the QX6700 is said to have worked, it fits these criteria. The performance from your current dual core to the quad should justify the little extra cost. Especially when multitasking.

e8400 specs:
http://ark.intel.com/products/33910/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-E8400-6M-Cache-3_00-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB

qx6700 specs:
http://ark.intel.com/products/28028/Intel-Core2-Extreme-Processor-QX6700-8M-Cache-2_66-GHz-1066-MHz-FSB

You could go for cheaper CPU's, as long as the FSB and nm lithography are correct, like the q6600, which was a superb CPU.
 
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vascobrissos14

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Just found this thread http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/259991-28-core-e8400-compatability-issue
They said I can put a E7400 which is still way better than my E6000 series :)
I found a E7400 in spain (my neighbour country, so fast shipping) for less money :D http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-2-Duo-E7400-2x2-8GHz-LGA775-/121997179419?hash=item1c67993a1b:g:z3UAAOSwQaJXRdMu
Will that ebay CPU work? I hope it does!
From what I saw, nanometer or something like that doesnt affect, only the FSB :) Hope you can help me!
 
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jn77

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I am in a similar issue with a client of mine..... They want me to "upgrade a Dell T3400 with an E8300 in it..... I put an SSD in it, but is it worth a CPU and ram upgrade (It has ECC ram in it).... DDR2 infact. I wanted to laugh at them and tell them to just spend $500 on a new I5 or $700 on a low end I7...... they said that their budget was zero or free..... I would personally donate the computer to a non-profit and buy a new modern machine.

I guess to each their own sometimes.... The upgrades would cost enough to buy a new machine.
 
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vascobrissos14

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Mines just getting dust but I don't want to donate it since this was my first gaming pc (shitty games but had fun) and it fills something in my heart xD :p
 
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Martell1977

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No, it wont work. Did you read through that thread you linked? The poster tried a e7400 and it didn't work and couldn't get it working. For the same reason I mentioned you need 1066mhz AND 65nm. The motherboard you have is not compatible with a 45nm CPU. I wish the lithography didn't matter, I would have been able to upgrade my laptop to a faster CPU.

here is the link you listed and I'm referencing:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/259991-28-core-e8400-compatability-issue
 
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vascobrissos14

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Hmm I see... Ok then, which CPU do you recommend? It has to be 15€ MAX OF MAXES, don't want to spend much money on this
 
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Martell1977

Martell1977

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With that budget, the only CPU I'm seeing is the e6420, which is a small upgrade, but might make your usage smoother:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-2-Duo-SLA4T-2-13Ghz-4M-1066Fsb-PC-Computer-CPU-Socket-775-Processor-/381252171009?hash=item58c4667501:g:G~UAAOSwu4BVl9Hb

The best upgrade I see that is close but a little over is the q6600:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/INTEL-CORE-2-QUAD-Q6600-CPU-2-4GHz-1066FSB-8MB-L2-CACHE-CPU-SKT-775-PROCESSOR-/252406640876?hash=item3ac49bb0ec:g:hoQAAOSwgApXDBjm
But it is 4 over budget when shipping included.

The e6420 is a small upgrade, the q6600 is a much bigger upgrade. The choice is obviously yours.With the q6600, you will need to watch your temps to be sure it doesn't overheat with your Dell cooler, as it's a higher wattage CPU.
 
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vascobrissos14

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Well, I can put 20€ on this one (use 172186720755 on ebay)
Are you sure it will work? And if I put this GPU http://www.chiptec.net/componentes-para-computadores/placas-graficas/placas-graficas-pci-e/asus-radeon-hd5450-1gb-ddr3-pci-e.html
Will it run games smoothly? I don't want to spend money on a thing that won't work you know
 
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Martell1977

Martell1977

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It should work, if someone was able to use a QX6700 in that same system, then a Q6600 should be fine. The Q6600 is right between those processors and by all indications, it should work. Working with used parts there are no guarantees, but there are no red flags against it working.

The CPU you mention is the same as I linked, so either should be fine.

As for the GPU, it's not great, but better than onboard graphics (assuming that's what you have now). I think that with the 2 upgrades, Q6600 + 5450 will make a significant difference. Your performance will vary by program, but with everything working, I think you will be happier.


NOTE: Make sure you are running the latest BIOS version from Dell, before changing anything. And use a quality thermal paste like Arctic MX-4.
 
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vascobrissos14

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Ok I will buy the CPU right now! I think the GPU is enough, since CSGO only needs a 256MB one and Rocket League needs a ATI 4850 so a 5450 is more than enough, and it won't bootleneck with this CPU haha
 
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Martell1977

Martell1977

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With the 5450, you will probably have to turn the settings down in Rocket League, the CPU will be plenty, but the GPU might struggle with higher settings.
 
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