Dell Optiplex 755 CPU Upgrade

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mailliWilliam

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Jul 25, 2015
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I've been reading into different forums and what not, and the Optiplex 755 supports a Q9650 which is a pretty decent upgrade from the current Core 2 Duo (I think E6600). I had to sell my main PC (curse you bills and life!) and I'm currently using my HTPC as my main. I don't really feel like dropping $60 on a Q9650 to out in my $10 PC, however, and saw a few Xeon E5450 and Xeon X5460's hovering between $35-45 on eBay.

So the question: with a BIOS update, will the Xeon's be compatible, or am I better off just picking up the Q9650?
 
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OfficialG3

the Q6600 with bsel mod makes it force to 3.0ghz in 1333mhz instead of 1066 which is miles better than the X3323 (didnt see the downside) the X3323 runs at 1333mhz natively which makes the setfsb overclocking headroom smaller, however for the extra few dollars the Q6600 with the bsel mod can be pushed a bit more with setfsb, getting higher performance

TL;DR
save couple of bucks with lower oc headroom - X3323 default 2.5ghz (just edges the athlon 750K on 2.67ghz in MT, trails in ST)
decent performance boost with spending a bit more - Q6600 default 2.4ghz, bsel up to 3 + ghz (edges the athlon 750K in ST and more in MT)
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MrWillyP

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you would have to mod the socket for most xeon cpus. Here's a link to a video on how to do it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUqBW-kq1_0
keep in mind that this is a risky process, and you shouldn't do it if you are worried about breaking it.
Personally I'd go with a q6600, it's a little cheaper, but performs admirably for it's age.


If you're curious of how I'd upgrade the machine here's what id do. (there's multiple versions of the motherboard that come with the 755, I'll try to correct for that)

CPU: Core 2 Quad Q6600 (decent performance, cheap on ebay)
GPU: MSI GTX 750TI Low Profile
RAM: (if the motherboard has 4 slots and is ddr2) 4x2GB DDR2
(if the motherboard has 2 slots and is ddr2) 2x4GB DDR2 (these are hard to find, good luck)
(if the motherboard has 4 slots and is ddr3) 2x4GB DDR3 (cheap on ebay)
(if the motherboard has 2 slots and is ddr3) 2x4GB DDR3 (same as last)
I'd also recommend updating the power supply, old ones in oem pcs can be bad, try and find out what the form factor for the psu is, and then buy a cheap 400-500w psu (make sure it is 80+ certified, I recommend evga)
 
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OfficialG3

OfficialG3

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TL;DR DONT get the xeon E5 / X5 series, they wont work,but get the X3xxx series, they WILL work

proof is my pc, personally i got myself the X3323 which is at 2.5 ghz, use setfsb and if you're lucky you could get 2.8ghz stable, but i settled at 2.67,
you can find the X33xx series as they are compatible but make sure its the one thats modded (lga 771-775 and if possible already pre-cutted to fit the 775) , i used the A22 bios (the latest)
(proof of the X3323 working (identified as a 5420 by the pc) https://valid.x86.fr/fxwdkj)
the X3363 is a good choice if you can find one
however the Q6600 with pin mods forcing it to 1333 fsb is a good choice too
 
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OfficialG3

OfficialG3

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Sep 7, 2014
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the Q6600 with bsel mod makes it force to 3.0ghz in 1333mhz instead of 1066 which is miles better than the X3323 (didnt see the downside) the X3323 runs at 1333mhz natively which makes the setfsb overclocking headroom smaller, however for the extra few dollars the Q6600 with the bsel mod can be pushed a bit more with setfsb, getting higher performance

TL;DR
save couple of bucks with lower oc headroom - X3323 default 2.5ghz (just edges the athlon 750K on 2.67ghz in MT, trails in ST)
decent performance boost with spending a bit more - Q6600 default 2.4ghz, bsel up to 3 + ghz (edges the athlon 750K in ST and more in MT)
 
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