Can a K-chip work in a dell optiplex

Amaides

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I'm not sure if I am going to do this or not but could a k-cpu(i7 2600k) work in a dell optiplex(790). Also would the intel extreme tuning utility work with it since the bios of the optiplex does not support overclocking.
 
Solution
Yes. The breaks were usually 65W, 95W, and 130W for MB limits on LGA775. See page 12 below.
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optiplex-790-tech-guide.pdf
95W on all except the USFF which has a 65W limit.
http://ark.intel.com/products/52214/Intel-Core-i7-2600K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-3_80-GHz
There are no guarantees in overclocking a Dell. But this looks good to me. Putting heatsinks on the VRM MOSFETs will help when you start to turn things up. Once the 95W chip boots then you can crank up the watts. I estimate my QX6800 is around 180W @ 3.72 GHz 1.53V.

dudmont

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That chipset is a q65, it will support Sandy bridge chips. You won't be able to overclock it through core speed, only bus speed(which is very limited). IEXTU will work, but not allow you many options.
 
Throttlestop 8.xx software which is used to underclock laptops will overclock an unlocked CPU (everything is an underclock for an unlocked CPU).
It controls Volts, multiplier, and C states. Also has some testing utilities. That's how I O/Ced the dell in my sig.
if you open the link and click the chart you'll see how ell it works.
 
Check the maximum CPU of the listed compatible CPUs. Some times the unlocked CPUs require a power rating the MB wont support. This is not the actual power drawn. The chipset detects the rating and won't allow the bigger CPU to run.
In LGA775 Optis all the ones with 1333fsb had a 95W limit, so no C2X chips would run (except 2 core).
 

Amaides

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what cpu did you have in your dell and how far could you overclock it?
 
Mine is very old so it might not apply directly to your situation QX6800 LGA775 65nm 2.93GHz base. I've had it to 4GHZ.
http://valid.x86.fr/bg4n0r
which is good for 2nd place at CPU-Z. It's air cooled with old Dell Pentium4 parts, and workstation fan.
http://valid.x86.fr/top-cpu/496e74656c28522920436f726528544d29322045787472656d652043505520513638303020204020322e393347487a
if you can get the K chip to run then you should be able to OC it.
Throttlestop 8.xx is free from TechPowerUp. Try it. If you can raise your Volts, and lower your Multiplier, then with a K chip you should be able to OC.
One way OEMs keep unlocked CPUs out is to limit the watts the MB supports at the chipset or BIOS level.
http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i7-2600K-vs-Intel-Core-i7-2600 I don't see any difference here. Except 5GHZ OC for the K.
i see i7-2600 running in an Opti 790 here.
http://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/2822576

My QX6800 is runung as a Q6800 in my Dell ,which doesn't actually exist. No guarantees but it looks good to me.
I would try it but then again I'm a little bit nuts.
 

Amaides

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The chipset is q65 and i checked the intel product page and it says it supports i7-2600k so does that mean it will work?
 
It means there is no conflict with the chipset. I can guarantee you that Dell disabled any OC setting in the BIOS. They sell these by the thousands to businesses and they don't want the headache of service calls due to someone borking around with a computer that might be leased, or under warrantee for 5 years. It should run as far as I can tell. If you try out TS8 software and can raise Volts, and lower the multiplier with what you have now, then you have what you need to OC an unlocked CPU.
This is a fairly new way to OC. Not many have done it yet. It's very likely you will be the first one to try your specific setup. Most experts will tell you it can't be done and leave it at that. I can't do it for you. You wanted to do this. Here is your best chance. Whether you proceed or not is up to you.
 
If your curious there's a big forum on TS8 at TechPowerUp. Mostly laptop undervolters, but a lot of experience.
Also you could try it with what you have now to see if you can get more Volts, and a different Multiplier to save through a few reboots. In the readme you need to set your profile to performance, and turn off some security setting so the unsigned software can run. MS won't sign on OC software. But since it only works with unlocked CPUs I disagree that it OCs anything. But I don't make the rules. I don't follow them much either.
 
Yes. The breaks were usually 65W, 95W, and 130W for MB limits on LGA775. See page 12 below.
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optiplex-790-tech-guide.pdf
95W on all except the USFF which has a 65W limit.
http://ark.intel.com/products/52214/Intel-Core-i7-2600K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-3_80-GHz
There are no guarantees in overclocking a Dell. But this looks good to me. Putting heatsinks on the VRM MOSFETs will help when you start to turn things up. Once the 95W chip boots then you can crank up the watts. I estimate my QX6800 is around 180W @ 3.72 GHz 1.53V.
 
Solution