Motherboard upgrade for i7 920 CPU (Dell 435MT)

dennisdliu

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Aug 16, 2012
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Hello,

I have semi-upgraded stock Dell 435MT desktop with an i7 (920) CPU. The original motherboard won't allow me to do any overlocking, so I managed to find new mid-range quality 1366 MSI motherboard (MSI LGA 1366, ATX Motherboard X58A-GD45) which will cost me around 140$ bucks. Here is what I plan on achieving with new motherboard and old CPU chip:

1) Overlocking CPU from 2.7 Ghz to about 3.0-3.3 Ghz (using Hyper212 Cooler-Master CPU cooler)
2) SLI my GTX570 (current motherboard has only one PCIe slot)

Please share any thoughts on whether you guys thing that investing 129$ in the new motherboard and another 200$ for SLI GTX570 is worth the hassle and money to improve performance.

THANKS!

Specs:
i7 920 @ 2.6Ghz, 16GB DDR3 RAM, Windows Vista 64-bit Pro, 850Watt PSU, Rosewill Challenger Case

I use my PC for presentations, word processing, PDF files, emails, and of course gaming. I don't plan on using heavy apps like Photoshop or anything of that nature.
 

jimpz

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Jan 20, 2012
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One other thing to consider, if you Windows OS came with the Dell, it is an OEM version & is tied to the motherboard, if you upgrade to a new motherboard, your OS isn't going to work. You'll need to purchase a new one.

jim
 

austing

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Jul 10, 2012
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I wish they made z77 boards as pretty has x58 boards.

Sure, go for it, youl be fine, you MIGHT have to re-install windows though, because the OEM vista OS wont recognize the firmware on the new motherboard. (Youl know if you BSOD on startup with the new board)
 

dennisdliu

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Aug 16, 2012
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Thanks for the reply Jim! You are correct my Windows OS is Dell-certified. I heard about this issue, and someone told me that there is a program that can will allow me to do that without having to buy a new OS. But dully noted, if the program doesn't work, I will run into a 100$ additional expenditures.
 

dennisdliu

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Aug 16, 2012
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Couldn't agree with you more, Austing. I barely found a decent price for a 1366LGA motherboard. Others cost in the excess of 300$ (low-mid range products) because the discontinued any future production of i7 920's.