CPU Mothboard Compatibility

[bwisialo]

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

I have a Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop and I'm looking to upgrade my CPU

Motherboard is Foxconn G33M02.

The Foxconn site lumps the G33M02 and G33M03 together:
http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/Motherboards/detail_overview.aspx?ID=en-us0000319

I've researched online and seen several indications that CPUs compatible with the G33M02 and aren't identical to the CPUs compatible with the G33M03.

In any case, can someone tell me or direct me site that can give me definitive answers. Obviously, I don't want to buy a CPU only to find out it's not compatible.

Thanks again.

 

[o1die]

You nailed the problem; with dells, I can't find any documentation as to which cpus you can use with older boards. I would post your question in one of the dell forums.

 

[bwisialo]

I was afraid of that. Is there a "safe bet" set of upgrades? That is, if I can get a slight upgrade, without pushing the limits of the maximum CPU upgrade possible, I'm fine with that. Are there any safe bet upgrades?

 

[o1die]

The e2160 is listed as the standard cpu in one review. Use cpu-z if you're not sure. If I were in your shoes, I would wait for a q6600 to show up used for under $100. This cpu was once very popular and would be easier to sell if it didn't work. It only runs at 2400 hertz since your board can't overclock it, but it's still a great upgrade if the 2160 is your current cpu. Be patient; don't spend too much for any used cpu. The e6400 is also safe; those go for around $60 used. Avoid wolfdale's (.045 nm such as the e8500) which definately won't run on your board. I check craigslist and anandtech daily for used stuff. I found a brand new 2400 i5 recently for $80; the owner simply bought the wrong cpu for his board and didn't know how to change it.

 

[bwisialo]

I've come across references to the q6600 several times, accompanied by debates as to whether it's compatible with the G33M02 in Dell's. No definitive answers, but from what I can guess, it seems that the q6600 is compatible.

I'm having a hard time finding a q6600 for less than $150, except for ebay and craigslist, though I don't feel entirely comfortable buying CPUs via those avenues.

 

[o1die]

Wait. Anandtech sometimes has them from reputable traders listed on heatware. Don't spend more than $100. My local craigslist had one a few months ago new with a new Intel g33 board for $100 (combo deal). I almost bought it, but I have no ddr2 left.

 

[o1die]

Starmicro has the bare cpu for $144; I've done business with them. But frankly, I wouldn't buy it at that price. You'll need a better heatsink for it, then the price is too much for an upgrade. I still recommend used, even if you have to travel to the person's home and watch it tested. Or better, take your system with you and have him test it for you on your board. Some folks will do this to make a sale.

 

[bwisialo]

Related question / potential problem. I've come across some posts saying the q6600 needs a 450W PSU. My PSU is 300W. Is that going to be a problem?

 

[o1die]

Probably not. The q6600 doesn't need a special ps that I know of. I would google for some old dell systems with the q6600 to be safe. You may even find a better dell board. some old dell boards are btx, which has the ports on the wrong side. Haven't checked your board to see if it's atx or btx. Someone locally on my craigslist posted a q6600 for $100, and an e6400 for $45, just to give you some examples.

 

[bwisialo]

I did wonder about the PSI ports -- seemed backwards from some video cards I'd been looking at. From what I can tell, the Q6600 seems safe w/ 300W except in exceptional circumstances drawing a lot from the PSU. Given my system, I don't think that should be a problem for me.

 

[bwisialo]

This from Wisdog.com says the Q6600 is not compatible w/ the G33M02. Any thoughts?

Compatibility Note: There are actually two versions of the Inspiron 530 in production, which are not differentiated in their specifications. The G33m02 and G33m03 are essentially identical except for the power regulation section of the motherboard. Essentially, the G33m02 is a depopulated (cheaper) version of the board which only has 6 voltage regulator IC's as opposed to the 11 voltage regulators on the G33m03. In practice, this means that the G33m02 version of the motherboard is physically incapable of providing enough current to operate the Intel Q6600 CPU.

 

[bwisialo]

In the Dell forums, I've found the following. This person has an Inspiron 530 w/ a G33M02 motherboard and writes:

"I currently have an E6550 Core 2 Duo. I have tried to upgrade my Inspiron 530 to both the Q9300 and the Q6600. Both failed, with the motherboard not posting and all the fans on full blast. The fastest processor that was akin to the E6550 is the E6850, which runs at 3.0 GHZ. I haven't tried it and won't try it because I've spent too much $$$ on incompatible CPUs and I've had too many other hassels returning chips."

So, it seems the Q6600 won't work, probably for the reason cited in my earlier post (6 vs 11 voltage regulators). The specs for all of the Core 2 Duo models are here:

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/TYPE-Core%202%20Duo.html

So, the E6550 works. Any thoughts on whether the faster models -- eg, the E6850 -- would work?

 

[bwisialo]

This part seems correct: "The fastest processor that was akin to the E6550 is the E6850." The next step up from that is the E7200, which is based on the Wolfdale core, which o1die says definitely won't run on the G33M02 board.

 

[bwisialo]

I think I found my answer. This is just one person's experience, so it would help, from anyone out there, to hear whether this logically makes sense.

"The G33M02 has simpler CPU voltage regulation circuits the the G33M03 [6 vs 11 voltage regulators as posted above], and the G33M02 is unable to support a quad core.

If you have the 02 model your option is to swap out to the E6850 (3Gz). Pay attention to CPU generations. E8400 and E8500 are Wolfdale (45nm), not Conroe (65nm), so they are less likely to be supported by the stock motherboard. The safer choice, more likely to work on the stock motherboard, is the E6850, which is also a Conroe (similar to the E6550, but @ 3.0 GHz), and was one of the original options for the Vostro 400. I went with an E6850 & it works fine."

Thanks in advance for any help confirming that this make sense -- that an E6850 will run in a G33M02. Thanks.

 

[yetsa76]

I've just used cpu-z after reading this article and that I've a wolfdale's .045nm e8500. Now I'm really confused. I actually started my quest looking for a compatible graphics card, but came across this thread. My question now is, How come the cpu mentioned is in my PC, has somebody changed something in the bios, can I put another better cpu in, can I put a 64bit version of 7 ultimate? I'm so confused. Please help me with updating my foxconn g33m03 board. One thing I've got is 650 watt psu and wonder if this is the reason for it working. Then that makes no sense either as it came with 300w already.

 

[yetsa76]

The e2160 is listed as the standard cpu in one review. Use cpu-z if you're not sure. If I were in your shoes, I would wait for a q6600 to show up used for under $100. This cpu was once very popular and would be easier to sell if it didn't work. It only runs at 2400 hertz since your board can't overclock it, but it's still a great upgrade if the 2160 is your current cpu. Be patient; don't spend too much for any used cpu. The e6400 is also safe; those go for around $60 used. Avoid wolfdale's (.045 nm such as the e8500) which definately won't run on your board. I check craigslist and anandtech daily for used stuff. I found a brand new 2400 i5 recently for $80; the owner simply bought the wrong cpu for his board and didn't know how to change it.

Since this morning I've been doing some routing around. I've found out my cpu has something called em64t technology. This means I can put 64 bit os and software on. I've got an e8500 already installed and if you go to foxconn site theres a pice of bios software that enables .045nm. The foxconn supports •Intel® Core™2 Quad, Core™2 Duo, Pentium® Dual-Core, Pentium® D, Pentium® 4, Celeron® processors , Socket T (LGA775). Please follow link

http://www.foxconnchannel.com/ProductDetail.aspx?T=Motherboard&U=en-us0000319&Language=en-us

Although this board is a stock mobo, theres still quite a bit that can be done a tight budget.