Core 2 duo to core 2 quad

pratsetu · Oct 18, 2017

I am building a budget hackintosh
I have a Ms 7525 motherboard
Which is a 775 socket one
I have a core 2 duo e7300 can I upgrade it to c2q e9550 or c2d e8500
Just to increase some performance

GhislainG · Oct 18, 2017

According to https://support.hp.com/ca-en/document/c01885656 the MS-7525 (Boston) motherboard supports the following processors:

Core 2 Duo E7xxx (Wolfdale-M)
Core 2 Duo E4x00 (Conroe)
Pentium series E2xxx (Conroe)
Celeron Dual Core series E1xx0 (Conroe)
Celeron series 4xx (Conroe)

Since you already have an E7300, there isn't much that you can do to improve CPU performance.

Chicano · Oct 21, 2017

The keyword is Express chipset. So, according to Intel, the G31 Express Chiset CPU supports some C2Q Quad CPUs. Up to 1066 Mhz and up to 105 TDP (Watt) CPUs:

Both C2 Quad E9550 or C2 Duo E8500 are 1333 Mhz

According to Intel G31 Express Chipset Product Brief [PDF]:
https://www.intel.com/assets/pdf/prodbrief/317838.pdf
Supports the Intel® Core™2 Duo and the Intel® Core™2 Quad processors. Note: 1333 FSB is supported with Intel® Core™2 Duo processors only. Intel®
Core™2 Quad processors are supported up to 1066MHz FSB speeds.

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel_(chipsets)/G31_Express.html
Intel Core 2 Quad
Q6600 - HH80562PH0568M / BX80562Q6600
Q6600, 2.4 GHz, FSB 1066 MHz, L2 8 MB
Q6700 - HH80562PH0678MK / BX80562Q6700
Q6700, 2.66 GHz, FSB 1066 MHz, L2 8 MB

MrN1ce9uy · Oct 21, 2017

I had a motherboard that did not state that it supported Core 2 Quads. But, I put a Q6600 in it anyway and it worked. I waited until they were so cheap that it wouldn't matter much if I wasted my money. ($11)

It was a G965 chipset and I tried to do a BSEL tape mod and the mobo quit working. :/ I shouldn't have pushed my luck.

GhislainG · Oct 21, 2017

Chicano :

Chipset support doesn't guarantee that HP included a VRM good enough for a Quad or the required microcode in the BIOS. The OP could try a non-supported CPU, but it probably won't work. A business motherboard usually has limited CPU support.

Chicano · Oct 21, 2017

GhislainG :

Is this good enough for Quad CPU support?
http://www.game-debate.com/motherboard/index.php?mot_id=1469&cpuList=MSI%20MS-7525

Chicano · Oct 21, 2017

MrN1ce9uy :

Was it the mobo that stopped working, or the CPU... and did you try it after removing the tape from the CPU contacts?.. Or after a BIOS reset or after a BIOS recovery?

MrN1ce9uy · Oct 21, 2017

Chicano :

MrN1ce9uy :

Is this good enough for Quad CPU support?
http://www.game-debate.com/motherboard/index.php?mot_id=1469&cpuList=MSI%20MS-7525

It says it supports Quads.

MrN1ce9uy · Oct 21, 2017

Chicano :

It was the motherboard. Still no POST after removing tape, swapping back to Core 2 Duo E6700, trying different RAM modules, or after resetting BIOS.

Chicano · Oct 22, 2017

MrN1ce9uy :

Sorry the question was for GhislainG... I got the quotes cofused.

Maybe Restoring the BIOS helps... I don't think doing the BSEL tape mod would ruin the motherboard but could corroupt the BIOS... so, do a BIOS reset with enough time for it to reset properly, and if it doesn't work, do a BIOS restore which does a better job.... do them as follows:

Option A) Bios reset:
1. Remove AC power or turn off the PSU
2. Remove the battery
3. Move the BIOS jumper to pins 2 & 3
4. Press and hold the power button for 60 seconds
5. Wait 10 minutes
6. Revert 1 through 3 and try the computer

Option B) Bios recovery:
1. Remove AC power or turn off the PSU
2. Remove the battery
3. Remove the BIOS jumper
4. Press and hold the power button for 60 seconds
5. Wait 10 minutes
6. Revert 1 through 3 and try the computer

MrN1ce9uy · Oct 22, 2017

Thanks. I tried your instructions, but the system simply gives the same slow and steady flashing of the power button when powered on. The fans jump and the power led flashed slow and steady.

GhislainG · Oct 22, 2017

Chicano :

That site leads people to believe that all socket 775 motherboards support Quad processors; their real goal is to compare CPU performance in games, not to provide compatibility like cpu-upgrade.com.

GhislainG · Oct 22, 2017

MrN1ce9uy :

What motherboard? Don't use game-debate.com to check for CPU compatibility; use the manufacturer's site or cpu-upgrade.com (check the motherboard, not the chipset as that's useless). A motherboard may accept a CPU because it has the correct socket type, but if the CPU draws more current that the VRM can provide, then it may fail.

MrN1ce9uy · Oct 22, 2017

GhislainG :

That's probably what happened because the motherboard isn't supposed to support Core 2 Quads.
This is the motherboard. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121051

Chicano · Oct 22, 2017

GhislainG :

Yes, I noticed that but at least the 1066 mhz and lower than 105 TDP quads should run without issues in the motherboard as per cpu-upgrade.com information.

GhislainG · Oct 22, 2017

Only the processors on the list, e.g., the 65W C2D E6700, but it won't support the newer 65W C2D E8400. If you use http://www.game-debate.com/motherboard/index.php?mot_id=1515&cpuList=Intel%20DG965SS, then you may be lead to believe all socket 775 processors are supported, including the 136W Core 2 Extreme QX9770.

MrN1ce9uy · Oct 22, 2017

Well like I was saying the Q6600 (1066MHz FSB) was running fine on that mobo until I attempted the BSEL tape mod, which would have increased its clock speed and likely its TDP also.

Chicano · Oct 22, 2017

GhislainG :

The two quads in the cpu-upgrade.com are what I meant.. I did not see anything else but the initial page in the game-debate website.. so don't dwell on the idea I got all my information from that website.. I did my research thoroughly elsewhere including cpu-upgrade, cpu-world, passmark, Intel, HP on both Ms 7525 motherboard, and Asus (maker of the PC's mobo MrNiceg9y owns) and other websites on VRMs.

Chicano · Oct 23, 2017

MrN1ce9uy :

Yes, it's possible depending on how soon/long after doing the BSEL tape mod, the mobo quit... but happens that the BIOS regulates the CPU voltage and TDP depends on voltage, clock speed and type of usage... So as far as I understand, it's doubtfull the TDP increased much if CPU voltage was not manually increased... though the BIOS can get stuck/corrupted and quit if the CPU clock speed isn't adequate for the voltage and cooling.. and in that case, a propper BIOS reset or restore would do the repair. If you've done the reset and restore allowing sufficient time, then the mobo must be the cause.. but i'd do a final reset or restore allowing from a few hours to overnight before declaring the motherboard dead.

Core 2 duo to core 2 quad

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