Looking to upgrade CPU, worried about PSU and compatibility.

[Trenix]

I currently have a Intel Core i3-2120 CPU @ 3.30GHz, and want to upgrade to a Intel Core i5-3570 @ 3.4GHz. Though, I'm not sure if their will be any compatibility issues, or the PSU will have trouble handling it.

 

[Karsten75]

The processor sockets are the same tbetween the two processor. That means the motherboard may be compatible or may need a BIOS update - depends on the age of the motherbaord and the version of the BIOS you have installed. No details on the motherboard or BIOS level precluded more specific advice.

The power difference is only about 12W. I doubt that any margins on your PSU is so tight that you can't accommodate that. Since you provided no details on the PSU, I can't advise any further.

 

[Trenix]

Ahh, yes, I got my computer from Alienware, and it's a bit hard to find this ones specifications anymore. I know I got it back in 2012, and it's an X51 R2. The BIOS version is A14, SMBIOS 2.7