Switched CPU of Dell Optiplex GX520 --> BIOS says CPU is incompatible

[h3r3t1k]

Hello,

this is the mainboard that's supposed to be in the machine: http://www.redplanettrading.com/Dell-RJ290-UG982-XG312-X7841-PJ479-MD573-Opitplex-GX520-Desktop-Motherboard.html

And this is the CPU I got for it: http://www.ebay.de/itm/400309846027?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648

The other CPU was a Celeron. The way I see it, the combo should work. Any ideas?

 

[jay_nar2012]

Which Celery was it?

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriverDetails/DriverFileFormats?DriverId=R142230

A P4 should work with that chipset.

 

[h3r3t1k]

Sorry no idea :-(

 

[jay_nar2012]

Have you tried an BIOS update?

 

[h3r3t1k]

I can't boot, so how do I do that? Put the old CPU back in?

 

[jay_nar2012]

Yes.....

 

[h3r3t1k]

***, alright thanks!

 

[jay_nar2012]

First check which version you,ve got, if you know how to get into the BIOS, in the BIOS it should say revision something.

 

[jitpublisher]

Its a Dell, a prebuild. The BIOS support will be very limited for any upgrade CPU, usually only a couple notches faster of the same identical processor, that is it. Dell, or any other OEM prebuild vendor for that matter, does not want you upgrading, they want you to buying a new system. Good luck trying to find a BIOS revision, they are just as limited.

 

[bucknutty]

The fact that the computer can tell you that the cpu is not compatible means that it electrically at least it is compatible. If it had no cpu in it it would not do anything.

Best bet put the old chip in update bios then try the new chip.

 

[Alabalcho]

The images are not very detailed, but in the past Dell used genuine Intel motherboards in some of their PCs. So, look at the board, whether you can see any Intel mode markings (Intel board names usually start with D)

 

[h3r3t1k]

Put the old one back in and did an update. Was a little tricky since I'm running Linux and the file provided was of course a Windows .exe. Found a way to do it though. Put the new one in. Works nicely. Even shows the P4 logo on bootup now.

 

[delluser1]

have you forgotten that I was a Dell cyborg for years 'jit'.?
'mal' strikes again...

Your name change confuses people

 

[delluser1]

good..

For those who know you, the sig gives it away

 

[jitpublisher]

have you forgotten that I was a Dell cyborg for years 'jit'.?
'mal' strikes again...

Okay, didn't catch the name change right away............

 

[h3r3t1k]

Back to topic LOL. PC works fine but the CPU fan is loud now. I got an applet showing me what the CPU is doing and whenever it's got work to do, the fan turns up till full throttle. During idle it's nice and quiet again. Before the fan was comparatively quiet even when the Celeron got revved up. I don't think the CPU is hot. The air coming out is quite cool. There's no option in BIOS like smart fan or whatever. I'm trying to get a read on the sensors in Ubuntu but it doesn't find any. Have you guys any ideas?

 

[bucknutty]

The p4 was one of the hottest running consumer CPUs ever made. I would expect the temp to be a good bit higher than the celery. As long as your sure you have good thermal paste and the heat sink is properly attached just try to live with it.

The P4s does have an internal temp sensor but very few boards seem to be able to read it correctly and report it in the OS. I have ubuntu on an old laptop but I only use it for internet and youtube, so I do know of any good linux system health tools that you can use to check the temp, or control the fan.

 

[h3r3t1k]

I know but I don't think it's THAT hot. Why would the fan turn full throttle when the air coming out is cool?

 

[bucknutty]

The wierd part about malmetals change to verbalizer is that it retroactivly changes all his posts. You cant change history. I was looking at a conversation we had 5 weeks ago and those old posts changed too.

 

[h3r3t1k]

thermal paste, have to get it on just right..

First time I changed a CPU. Could I have spread it too thick? I googled how-tos and did it like they said with a credit card. Not too thick. Dunno... Maybe because I had to put it out and back in again?

 

[h3r3t1k]

Dell OEM heatsink still correct.?
if so then take an 80mm fan and zip tie it to the heatsink blowing into the rear case fan and outta case..

Why wouldn't it be? It's the medium size version that you put your monitor on. Not the tower. It's got just this one fan behind the heatsink blowing over the heatsink and out of the case at the front.

 

[h3r3t1k]

ah, OK then...
that case needs better ventilation but it seems your limited there.

The fan speed seems to be coupled to work load, not temperature because the air coming out is cool. When there's no load the fan quiets down to a whisper.

 

[bucknutty]

if the fan is spinning like nuts and the air is cool that suggests your not getting good thermal transfer from the chip to the heatsink. This means the chip is getting hot and telling the fan to speed up but the heatsink is not getting hot.

You could try to clean the thermal paste off the chip and heatsink with a papertowel and try to use only a bb sized dab in the middle of the cpu and put it together. Some of the dells use thermal pad. like a piece of plastic wrap on the heatsink. If you used thermal paste you have to peel that thermal pad off.

 

[h3r3t1k]

if the fan is spinning like nuts and the air is cool that suggests your not getting good thermal transfer from the chip to the heatsink. This means the chip is getting hot and telling the fan to speed up but the heatsink is not getting hot.

You could try to clean the thermal paste off the chip and heatsink with a papertowel and try to use only a bb sized dab in the middle of the cpu and put it together. Some of the dells use thermal pad. like a piece of plastic wrap on the heatsink. If you used thermal paste you have to peel that thermal pad off.

Would you recommend to buy a pad? I've seen some on ebay wich can be compressed in order to ensure a tight fit.

 

[h3r3t1k]

AS5 or better in quality thermal paste..

Got the cheapest on off ebay. From Zalman. It says 1.2W/mK.