Can an Intel Xeon CPU handle gaming with an old graphics card?

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Elf_Knight

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Nov 9, 2013
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Hi guys!
I want to revive an old PC and I have the following specs:

Case: Fractal Design Core 2300
RAM: 2gb DDR2 ram
GPU: Nvidia GT210
PSU: 300 watt atx PSU

All I need is a CPU and mobo.

I found a cheap Intel Xeon E5440 on Ebay and a Micro-ATX LGA 775 motherboard on Ebay as well. I wanted to wrap this up into one build for really low end gaming when I am away from my primary PC.

The CPU is quad core so it should work. I would probably just use Linux or the Steam OS since this is just for temporary use for the holidays.

Any thoughts?

I can get the CPU+Mobo for about 30 quid which is pretty good.

Many thanks in advance!
 
Solution
BFG-9000
X3330 is S775 so it will fit directly, while E5440 will require both the sticker and modding either the CPU or the socket so it can be installed rotated 90 degrees.

There's also the issue of the microcode for the Xeons--OEM boards usually won't even boot while retail boards will show an annoying message until you mod the BIOS with the microcodes. That's why it's best to select a motherboard on a compatibility list.
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antoine21839

antoine21839

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Jan 4, 2017
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That's a good idea, but remember that you will have to apply some unconventional modifications to both the motherboard and the CPU to make it work
 
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Elf_Knight

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Nov 9, 2013
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Why would I have to mod the motherboard for the CPU to fit? Also how do I do that? Excuse the noob question, I just saw that they were from the same socket and thought that would work. I found a cheap Intel Pentium G3258 CPU and I already have an extra LGA 1150 motherboard I can use so I might get that instead and will just pull out the ram from my PC when I am away. But then I don't get 4 cores and only get 2. A pentium should suffice for most games, no? I just wanna play Elder Scrolls Online really and possibly For Honor. Though I might wait till I get back to my main PC.
 
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antoine21839

antoine21839

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Xeons are made for LGA771 sockets (server/workstation grade), not for LGA775 sockets (consumer grade). But people found ways to actually put a xeon on LGA775 motherboard. It's a bit tricky but it's a very good solution, because quad core xeons are cheap and very powerful.
 
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antoine21839

antoine21839

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Jan 4, 2017
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It's not only about applying a sticker, it's a bit harder than that, but yes it is worth the effort, because price/performance is insanely high on old Xeons. Just do it, it's interesting and fun to do !
 
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Elf_Knight

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Nov 9, 2013
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I bought the motherboard and it should come between the 14th and the 16th! Now which Xeon CPU should I get? I was thinking of the one I mentioned but would the X3330 fit or is there a difference? Many thanks for the help!
 
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BFG-9000

BFG-9000

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Sep 17, 2016
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X3330 is S775 so it will fit directly, while E5440 will require both the sticker and modding either the CPU or the socket so it can be installed rotated 90 degrees.

There's also the issue of the microcode for the Xeons--OEM boards usually won't even boot while retail boards will show an annoying message until you mod the BIOS with the microcodes. That's why it's best to select a motherboard on a compatibility list.
 
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