Dimension C521 CPU upgrade

[OM3RT4]

I have a Dell Dimension C521, and i am looking to upgrade my processor from the AMD Athalon 64 X2 to something newer, possibly the AMD Phenom series, could anyone tell me what would be some decent processors, without breaking a budget, i have seen the Phenom 9500 for 89.99 on TigerDirect...

 

[delluser1]

You do well enough ct1615.
The highest I've seen used is the x2 6000, but I've never been much into AMD so never looked into it further.

 

[AKM880]

The C521 should support up to the AMD Athlon X2 5600+ for sure, the 6000+ may work depending on the model. I'm thinking the Brisbane 6000+ should work not the Windsor.

None of the Phenoms work, nor is the Athlon x2 7750 Kuma supported either.

 

[megamanx00]

Sorry, but dell doesn't want to update the BIOS to let you use a newer CPU. They want you to buy a new computer. After all, the only limitation to putting a phenom or phenom II based CPU into an AM2 board like yours is the BIOS.

 

[AKM880]

^+1. The board may support Phenoms but the Dell's proprietary BIOS limits this.

 

[BadAsAl]

I have a Dell Dimension C521, and i am looking to upgrade my processor from the AMD Athalon 64 X2 to something newer, possibly the AMD Phenom series, could anyone tell me what would be some decent processors, without breaking a budget, i have seen the Phenom 9500 for 89.99 on TigerDirect...

Athlon 64 X2 6000+ works.
I have Dell BIOS 1.1.11 installed and I downloaded the drivers from AMD.