Intel Q9550 to replace Q8200

[dleiterman]

I have a Gateway 2800-01 with a Intel Q8200 processor in it. I would like to replace it with an Intel Q9550 processor that has VT-x. Has anyone had any success doing this????

 

[Snipergod87]

Will your BIOS support a Q9550, also will your BIOS allow you to enable VT-x, many consumer pre-built PC's will have this setting unavailable.

 

[dleiterman]

Thanks Snipergod87, not sure if the bios supports it. Called Gateway a few days ago and got nowhere. The bios I have is from Nov of 2009, so it is a little old and Gateways site has no further updates. I use this machine for running some virtual machine guests, don't do any gaming or anything like that. Hate to poor a ton of money just to get the 64 bit VT-x support. Thanks again.

 

[Snipergod87]

Your BIOS I would imagine would support it, it is still a 95w TDP chip, the Q9550 is actually older (but better) than the Q8200, but I cant make any guarantees. If you do decide to go this route I would make sure your motherboard has the latest BIOS.

VT-x, and VT-d are virtualizations options which may not be turned on by default in the BIOS. If you go into your BIOS now with your Q8200 do you see anything (even greyed out) to enable to disable Virtualization? If you do thats a sure sign that you will be able to enable that if you drop in a Q9550.

You should be able to get a Q9550 on ebay for relatively cheap. (Like 60 bucks), you can re-use your current Heat sink and fan, you will need to reapply thermal past.