CPU Upgrade for Dell XPS 210 CPU

[Giants_1]

I have a Dell XPS 210 with an E6320 (1.86 GHz) CPU. Here are the specs, including most current BIOS 2.4.0

http://www.cnet.com/products/dell-xps-210/specs/

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/servicetag/311TXG1/configuration

I'm concerned that I would need to upgrade the BIOS to 2.5.1 or 2.5.3, per other posts, to use the Q6600/Q6700. However, Dell's website lists 2.4.0 as the highest upgrade.

Would I need 2.5.x BIOS to upgrade the CPU?
If so, where can I find it?
If the unit rejects 2.5.x BIOS, is there a way to revert back to 2.4.0?

Thanks!

 

[Crumpet 1]

You want to upgrade to a 10 year old processor?

Do you have absolutely no budget? Can you not save some cash over summer just to get a second hand pc on a much more relevant socket platform?

 

[Giants_1]

Thanks. What brands/models would you recommend and places to find? I checked Ebay, but the bidding wars are intimidating. I see some nice Dells, but they're mostly SFF, meaning they're limited as to upgrades.

 

[Crumpet 1]

What is your approximate location and budget?

I'm sure you could find something.

What do you want this computer to do? Is this just a business machine, an internet browser, or light gaming? etc

 

[Giants_1]

Yes, Internet browser, play DVD movies, and MS Office now, maybe light gaming in the future. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

[Crumpet 1]

Well depending on your definition of light gaming, unless it consists of minesweeper you'd certainly want something stronger.

The Q6600 and Q6700 were the low end budget processors when I was building a budget gaming PC in 2011..

It might be worth you giving these guys a call to see if they have anything slightly more modern, just getting you on to a more modern socket would allow you some wiggle room.
https://www.lovehaightcomputers.com/

Again, I don't want to push you into purchasing outside of your budget, so it is up to your needs and your finances, so it might be worth seeing what they have in the way of computer hardware.

If you're confident enough you could probably Frankenstein a gaming computer Linus Tech Tips style using cheap second hand components and things people are literally throwing out.

I'm not saying that upgrading to a Q6700 would be pointless, but in modern games you'd be struggling for 30fps in low settings.