Hello,
I currently own a Dell XPS 410 which has a Pentium D processor. I now want to upgrade the processor to a Q6600, but am unsure if it will be compatible with my board. Doing some research, i found that i could put a core duo processor into, but i found nothing of about the Q6600. Seeing how the two (core duo and the Q6600) can be put on to a 775 board, I find it hard to believe that the Q6600 is not compatible with my machine. I tried calling Dell's POS customer service line..... but the D#@$heads couldn't give me a straight answer. With that said... do you think i could run it? or should i just grab a e8400 and call it a day? Thanks for any help in advance.

No, most of the time, you can't swap out a Pentium 775 processor with the Core 2 family of processors, even thouh they are the same socket. Also, with a Dell, I doubt you can flash the BIOS to update it anyway, and would most likely need a new board altogether. In that case, your attempts with an E8400 would likely also be met with failure, but I suppose you can try. I don't have any first-hand experience with this, so good luck.

That's how Dell rolls...they have a bunch of cheap boards they toss in depending on which chip you order, and they might only support a limited number of CPUs.

I don't even think you can use an E8400. It's a Dell. Bios is very poor and limited on it's mobos. Look into it very very closely before you buy.

Your mobo might not even meet the power requirements.

.....................................

Anyways as we know big name companys like Dell are a pain when it comes to updating BIOS's and other hardware because they never tell you why they did it, or what they did.

So to make a long story short I got the recent log update from someone I know at dell through my work. This was even confimed on dell forums by someone else a few days later. Here is every CPU that will work for the XPS 410

PR173 Presler P4 915, 2.80G, 2X2MB, 800FSB, D0
UY273 Presler P4 915, 2.08G, 2X2MB, 800FSB, C1
YW816 Presler P4 925, 3.00G, 2X2MB, 800FSB, D0
XJ848 Presler P4 930, 3.00G, 2X2MB, 800FSB, C1
PU963 Presler PD 935, 3.20G, 2X2MB, 800FSB, D0
DK050 Presler P4 940, 3.20G, 2X2MB, 800FSB, C1
RT922 Presler P4 945, 3.40G, 2X2MB, 800FSB, C1
UJ776 Presler P4 950, 3.40G, 2X2MB, 800FSB, C1
CJ163 Presler P4 960, 3.60G, 2x2MB, 800FSB, B1

DK593 Cedar Mill 631, 3.00G, 2MB, 800FSB, C1
PN407 Cedar Mill 641, 3.20G, 2MB, 800FSB, D0
PY394 Cedar Mill 641, 3.20G, 2MB, 800FSB, C1
KU339 Cedar Mill 651, 3.40G, 2MB, 800FSB, D0
PY395 Cedar Mill 651, 3.40G, 2MB, 800FSB, C1
DK594 Cedar Mill 661, 3.60G, 2MB, 800FSB, C1
DT883 Cedar Mill 661, 3.60G, 2MB, 800FSB, D0

HU587 Conroe E4300, 1.80G, 2MB, 800FSB, L2
DX483 Conroe E4400, 2.00G, 2MB, 800FSB, L2
RX522 Conroe E4400, 2.00G, 2MB, 800FSB, M0
DT893 Conroe E6300, 1.86G, 2MB, 1066FSB, B2
DU362 Conroe E6300, 1.86G, 2MB, 1066FSB, L2
DX485 Conroe E6320, 1.86G, 4MB, 1066FSB, B2
DU361 Conroe E6400, 2.13G, 2MB, 1066FSB, L2
KN977 Conroe E6400, 2.13G, 2MB, 1066FSB, B2
DX484 Conroe E6420, 2.13G, 4MB, 1066FSB, B2
KU345 Conroe E6600, 2.40G, 4MB, 1066FSB, B2
PN416 Conroe E6700, 2.66G, 4MB, 1066FSB, B2
WM543 Conroe XE X6800, 2.93G, 4MB, 1066FSB, B2

FG941 Smithfield P4 820, 2.80G, 2MB, 800FSB, Mainstream, B0
UY272 Smithfield P4 805, 2.66G, 2X1MB, 533FSB, B0

HU585 Kentsfield Quad Core Q6600, 2.40G, 8MB, 1066FSB, B30
MP626 Kentsfield Quad Core Q6600, 2.40G, 8MB, 1066FSB, G0

UT713 Prescott P4 531, 3.0G, 800FSB, 1MB, ALT, G1
UT714 Prescott P4 541, 3.2G, 800FSB, 1MB, ALT, G1
UY274 Prescott P4 524, 3.06G, 1MB, 533FSB, G1
.........................................
Remember the PC is constantly updated. As is the Mobo. You might have an older Mobo, I'm sure you do since it came with a Pent D.

Power and Thermal management needs change, a quad has more of both than a dual, and Dell like to use proprietary stuff. If that were the only option I'd go E8400 and call myself satisfied to get another year or two out of the thing.

But if the rest of the components in that case are as old as your proc, I'd be looking to replace the whole computer. If you are satisfied with your computer overall, and wish to make it last another year before you replace it entirely then a processor upgrade to a Core 2 Duo would make sense. I say this because there is a new architecture from Intel coming out at the end of '08. Getting another 12 months or a little more from what you have would allow the kinks to get worked out and the prices to drop some before you go whole hog.

If you are not satisfied, then I'd can the thing and start fresh, now.

ConunDrum beat be to the punch.

I pulled the same list from the Dell Forums, but it was not an offical Dell response.

Note: The E8400 is not listed and likely is not supported. I would go with the Quad.

So it looks like i'll be ok with the q6600 thanks to the list conumdrum posted. Thanks. Also...believe it or not, dell has the bios i need for this upgrade. Thanks for all of your input, it is greatly appreciated.

how did you get dell to give you a Bios to support a Q6600? I've been searching for hours!

I ordered a Q6600 for a Dell Dim 9100 and no go! I thought the socket 775 family would work. So this is Dell holding back?
I talked to 3 techs, 2 salespersons before I got any advice besides a new PC. I just wanted to upgrade and had a Question.
According to most other places the x8582 board should accomodate the Q6600 from the orig Dual Core 950p series.

I have a dell XPS 410 and wanted to know the same thing so I looked in the manual, The best CPU it can support is a Core 2 Duo.

You're going to have to do a little research other than the manual, the XPS410 does support the Core2Quad.

it dose? let me know if it works.

Yes it does, Dell sold it with the Quad.
Here's a blockbuster for ya, you may be able to do a software overclock and boost the performance of whatever chip you use.
I run the E6400 in my D9200/XPS410 at 2.53 using Clockgen software, it doesn't work on all boards, but the free boost on boards it does work on was quite welcomed.

sweet going try it out. its BS that dell locks OC on the lower end XPS but the XPS 700+ are fully unlocked for OC.

Update: It dose not work on my mobo

Easier to blame Dell than yourself.
You obviously didn't do any research before making your purchase. The XPS410 was never marketed as SLI capable, and people have known about the proprietary MB's for many years. The psu is a whole different story, almost any standard ATX unit will work in the 410.
If you want a refund, it is usually pretty easy to do, within 21 days of the invoice date, after that it's your's.


You went and editted your rant

decide to make a post about it. I know my fault just saying why im pissed and why not to buy a dell

P.S. I know but you need a better PSU for SLI not the 450w one the comes with the XPS410