[SOLVED] Best CPU a Optiplex 990 SFF can have?

[JayTee3]

That the motherboard supports? Here is a CPU-Z validation showing the motherboard and etc https://valid.x86.fr/8k0rr3 from googling it seems a 1155 socket (tho googling it also shows a 1156 socket weirdly?) but pretty sure its 1155, so curious to what this board supports, I'm on the latest BIOS software (from 2018) and it currently has an i5-2500, just wondering if theres any decent upgrades I can do here since it seems to be at 100% usage a lot, even just using edge + downloading a steam game (and as seen I've upgraded the RAM to 12gb and that is only maxing at like 60% usage).

Thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

If it currently has an i5-2500, then an i7-2600 would probably be the best you can do.

 

[Krotow]

For LGA 1155 socked the best available desktop CPU is i7 3770K. 4 cores with hyperthreading, will work better with Windows 10 and newer multi-threaded software. Chip is made by 22 nm technology instead of 32 nm for i5-2500 so will work mostly cooler as well. For gaming your major issue is PSU availability and GPU upgrade possibility. SFF cases are very low, particularly Optiplex 990 SFF have 240W runt PSU without PCI-E power cable and made for particular case only. So GPU must be one of low form-factor GPUs and without separate 12V power option. Will work for Solitaire and old games before 3D really become a requirement. For newer games - it will be mostly sad story.

 

[JayTee3]

For LGA 1155 socked the best available desktop CPU is i7 3770K. 4 cores with hyperthreading, will work better with Windows 10 and newer multi-threaded software. Chip is made by 22 nm technology instead of 32 nm for i5-2500 so will work mostly cooler as well. For gaming your major issue is PSU availability and GPU upgrade possibility. SFF cases are very low, particularly Optiplex 990 SFF have 240W runt PSU without PCI-E power cable and made for particular case only. So GPU must be one of low form-factor GPUs and without separate 12V power option. Will work for Solitaire and old games before 3D really become a requirement. For newer games - it will be mostly sad story.

According to the technical guide, the best the tower and SFF can officially do is an i7-2600?

From what someone else said... so would a 3770k work?

 

[Krotow]

When Dell designed Optiplex 990 SFF, i7-3770K CPU wasn't a thing yet. It appeared in market a year later. It is still compatible with i7-2600 by dimensions, socket and electrically. Don't worry about that.

 

[Nice Nicer]

I had the same cpu, an I5 2500, and use an I7 3770 (non-k) now. I had to switch to a completely different PC because of that. But my old CPU would be usable with the new mainboard if i read the description. I haven't tried it, but that's what the documentation says. I can suggest looking for the datasheet on the manufacturer's website. That's where to find such info.

 

[Nice Nicer]

It's possible to tell which generation of intel processors are supported if you look at the chipset, if i remember correctly. The Q67 of your Dell PC is the same as the one from a Fujitsu Esprimo P 900 and ONLY supports second generation ( sandy bridge ) Processors. I7 2600 and I7 2600k are the maximum in that case. They can be had for prices eqivalent to a used PC with a newer (and probably better) not so powerhungry processor, at least in Europe.

 

[Karadjgne]

Forget LGA anything. That's a totally moot point regardless of motherboard, manufacturer, what Intel says will fit in the socket. It's a Dell and that over-rides any and all other considerations.

Dells use a custom bios on a custom ordered mobo. There's realistically no getting around that.

The only guaranteed compatible cpus are those in the series lineup. Whatever Dell says, that's it. So if there was an option for the i7-2600, then that's as good as it gets. If the model series was only a select few i3's and i5's, then the i7 is a null cpu.

The Optiplex 990 does use a Q67 Express chipset, that's explicitly not compatible with Ivy-Bridge cpus, so the best you could do is a i7-2600.