Can I upgrade a Dell XPS with a 1155 socket from a I5 2320 to a I7 3770K?

[Dervoyager]

The Intel people say that it's H67 bios with A06 update should support the newer processor, but nothing happens when it's installed. Is there anything that can be done?

 

[cub_fanatic]

According to this post on the Dell forum (http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/t/19492096), while the Intel H67 chipset does technically support Ivy Bridge CPUs, the Dell XPS 8300 series does not support Ivy Bridge. The newest i7 you can use in it is probably the i7 2600. You could get a 2700k and even if you did get a K CPU, it would kind of be a waste since you would need a Z-series motherboard to be able to overclock it. Return the 3770k and get a 2600 OR keep the 3770k and get a cheap H77 or Z77 motherboard that fits your chassis. I got an Asus P8H77-M LE a few months ago for $60. A brand new Z77 can be had for under $100. That would be the best upgrade you could do for that PC. Even an non-Dell H67 should work with the 3770k assuming its BIOS is up to date, but since you already have a 3770k, you might as well get a Z-series board to pair with it and take advantage of all the features the k-series chips have to offer.

 

[Dervoyager]

According to this post on the Dell forum (http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/t/19492096), while the Intel H67 chipset does technically support Ivy Bridge CPUs, the Dell XPS 8300 series does not support Ivy Bridge. The newest i7 you can use in it is probably the i7 2600. You could get a 2700k and even if you did get a K CPU, it would kind of be a waste since you would need a Z-series motherboard to be able to overclock it. Return the 3770k and get a 2600 OR keep the 3770k and get a cheap H77 or Z77 motherboard that fits your chassis. I got an Asus P8H77-M LE a few months ago for $60. A brand new Z77 can be had for under $100. That would be the best upgrade you could do for that PC. Even an non-Dell H67 should work with the 3770k assuming its BIOS is up to date, but since you already have a 3770k, you might as well get a Z-series board to pair with it and take advantage of all the features the k-series chips have to offer.

 

[Dervoyager]

Thank You for the detailed answer, and the link. I'd been looking for the facts for several days, unfortunately I already sprung for a I7 3770K processor. Now I will have to build up another computer to use this little jewel. Thanks again Dervoyager

 

[cub_fanatic]

Thank You for the detailed answer, and the link. I'd been looking for the facts for several days, unfortunately I already sprung for a I7 3770K processor. Now I will have to build up another computer to use this little jewel. Thanks again Dervoyager

You are welcome, but you don't necessarily have to build a whole new PC if you want to use the 3770k. Basically, all you would really need is a Z77 or H77 motherboard and you should be able to re-use everything else in your Dell XPS although I am not sure if you will be able to use your current copy of Windows. If you have a retail copy of Windows on a DVD somewhere that is the same as the version that is on the XPS then you might be able to use the key that should be somewhere on a sticker on the case. If not, then you would have to spend a maximum of $100 or so for a motherboard and another $100 for a copy of Windows which is still much less than building a whole new PC from scratch.