Optiplex 380 gaming computer, is it possible?

[switchclik]

Hi all,
I am a total newbie with computers, so you'll have to forgive me if I sound naive with this question:

I bought a Dell optiplex 380 from a neighbor for cheap, and I thought I would only need to put in a new GPU to get it reasonably up to speed (I didn't think I needed amazing performance at the time).
What I have now found is that I will definitely need more RAM, maybe a newer CPU and possibly even a new motherboard (?).

I was looking at getting a zotac geforce gtx 1060 GPU, 8gb ram (for the moment) and intel i5-8400 CPU.
What sort of compatibility issues may I face here, do I need to replace my mother board too and ultimately is it not worth upgrading a machine this old (should I just bite the bullet and build a new one from the ground up)?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[william p]

I have an Opti 380. The best CPU would be a Xeon swap either X5460 , or X5470 are the fastest. Xeon E5450 is alow power option also. Maybe not for beginners, but in an LGA775 Optiplex tXeons are rare.
It can run 2x4GB DDR3 RAM. 1333 is common and cheap but it will run at 1066 speed. Must be low density UDIMM.
The best drop in GPU is a ZOTAC GTX 1050Ti Mini. The ZOTAC GTX1050 would be a good choice also. Actually these are the ONLY drop in 1080P GPUs.
The best drop in CPU is the Q9650, and if you want to save some money on the old rig then Q9550 ia almost as good.
I would suggest the A05 BIOS from Dell Support. The A06, and A07 will prevent the Xeon swap due to digital signing.
There were several sizes of these and I hope you have the Mini Tower version. All others require compromises of some sort.
Here are the builds for that system. Mine is #6 on the list.
http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-OptiPlex-380/1942
If you have the Desktop, or SFF version ask again and I'll help.
The GPU and DDR3 RAM can be moved forward to a newer computer when the time comes. The CPU not so much.
You can make an entry level gamer out of that.

 

[carlospedraza440]

I have an Opti 380. The best CPU would be a Xeon swap either X5460 , or X5470 are the fastest. Xeon E5450 is alow power option also. Maybe not for beginners, but in an LGA775 Optiplex tXeons are rare.
It can run 2x4GB DDR3 RAM. 1333 is common and cheap but it will run at 1066 speed. Must be low density UDIMM.
The best drop in GPU is a ZOTAC GTX 1050Ti Mini. The ZOTAC GTX1050 would be a good choice also. Actually these are the ONLY drop in 1080P GPUs.
The best drop in CPU is the Q9650, and if you want to save some money on the old rig then Q9550 ia almost as good.
I would suggest the A05 BIOS from Dell Support. The A06, and A07 will prevent the Xeon swap due to digital signing.
There were several sizes of these and I hope you have the Mini Tower version. All others require compromises of some sort.
Here are the builds for that system. Mine is #6 on the list.
http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-OptiPlex-380/1942
If you have the Desktop, or SFF version ask again and I'll help.
The GPU and DDR3 RAM can be moved forward to a newer computer when the time comes. The CPU not so much.
You can make an entry level gamer out of that.

I am currently building up my Dell Optiplex 380 MT I ordered 2 sticks of 4 GB of RAM, but once I powered on, the computer beeped (my guess was the RAM) I have a Xeon E5450 installed along with the microcode. Is 8gb of RAM supported on the 380 MT?

 

[william p]

I'm running 8GB RAM right now. Do you have BIOS A05. A06,and A07 have digital signing and won't accept the microcode update.
This is my build. http://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/6392914
Dells can only use low density RAM. x64 not the "AMD" x128 that some systems use. DDR3 1333 runs at 1066 speed.
Are any of the diagnostic LEDs on? They can tell you a lot.
https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-380_service%20manual2_en-us.pdf

 

[carlospedraza440]

I'm running 8GB RAM right now. Do you have BIOS A05. A06,and A07 have digital signing and won't accept the microcode update.
This is my build. http://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/6392914
Dells can only use low density RAM. x64 not the "AMD" x128 that some systems use. DDR3 1333 runs at 1066 speed.
Are any of the diagnostic LEDs on? They can tell you a lot.
https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-380_service%20manual2_en-us.pdf

My BIOS version is A07 and have the LGA 771 Microcode. I got the LGA 771 Microcode installed by an application
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-OptiPlex-360-380-760-780-960-Xeon-LGA-771-E0-1067A-Microcode
This BIOS mod updates the BIOS to A07 and installs the LGA 771 microcode. the beeps are the only warnings I get. (of what I can see) Which BIOS version do I need to be able to use 8GB of RAM

 

[william p]

A05 supports 8GB, A06 and A07 should too. Do you have the Xeon adapter sticker installed correctly. Modified the socket so it will fit?
BIOSmods is where I got the warning about the A06 A07 signing issue. Maybe the modded A07 updates A05. I would try to get the CPU running with the old RAM first to isolate the issue. If that's good then look into the RAM issue. Sometimes you need to clear the CMOS to get a new CPU or RAM to be recognized.
Item #10 in Sytem Board Layout in the manual.
https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-380_service%20manual2_en-us.pdf

 

[carlospedraza440]

A05 supports 8GB, A06 and A07 should too. Do you have the Xeon adapter sticker installed correctly. Modified the socket so it will fit?
BIOSmods is where I got the warning about the A06 A07 signing issue. Maybe the modded A07 updates A05. I would try to get the CPU running with the old RAM first to isolate the issue. If that's good then look into the RAM issue. Sometimes you need to clear the CMOS to get a new CPU or RAM to be recognized.
Item #10 in Sytem Board Layout in the manual.
https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-380_service%20manual2_en-us.pdf

My Xeon works properly. the sticker is installed properly. Unfortunately I decided to put up my 380 up for sale in its stock form. I purchased a Optiplex 7010 with an i7 and 8GB of RAM. This 380 has been a hassle and it is probably the result of limited experience on my part. Thanks for the reply

 

[william p]

There's a lot of trial and error involved in modding Dells, and the BTX layout of the LGA775 Optis doesn't help. If you did a Xeon swap in an Opti 380 you've done well. The secret of the 380/360 is it's the only Opti that A- can run an LGA771 Xeon at all, and B- can run one over 95W power. So it's the only Opti that can run the X5460, X5470 Xeons over 3GHz. It can run 8GB DDR3 RAM, the 360 can also but 2x 4GB DDR2 modules cost more than the whole computer.
ZOTAC GTX1050 Mini series actually makes it useful for entry level 1080P gaming.

 

[MrDreamerz]

I have an Opti 380. The best CPU would be a Xeon swap either X5460 , or X5470 are the fastest. Xeon E5450 is alow power option also. Maybe not for beginners, but in an LGA775 Optiplex tXeons are rare.
It can run 2x4GB DDR3 RAM. 1333 is common and cheap but it will run at 1066 speed. Must be low density UDIMM.
The best drop in GPU is a ZOTAC GTX 1050Ti Mini. The ZOTAC GTX1050 would be a good choice also. Actually these are the ONLY drop in 1080P GPUs.
The best drop in CPU is the Q9650, and if you want to save some money on the old rig then Q9550 ia almost as good.
I would suggest the A05 BIOS from Dell Support. The A06, and A07 will prevent the Xeon swap due to digital signing.
There were several sizes of these and I hope you have the Mini Tower version. All others require compromises of some sort.
Here are the builds for that system. Mine is #6 on the list.
http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-OptiPlex-380/1942
If you have the Desktop, or SFF version ask again and I'll help.
The GPU and DDR3 RAM can be moved forward to a newer computer when the time comes. The CPU not so much.
You can make an entry level gamer out of that.

Will a Intel Xeon X5472 Processor with lga 775 mod work too on a Dell Optiplex 380 MT?

 

[william p]

No the G41 chipset doesn't support the 400FSB. In fact it craps out at about 340 when overclocked.
BTW I just did the X5470 swap, and GTX1060 in my own Opti 380.
https://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-OptiPlex-380/1942
1st,4th, and 7th places are the progression of my computer from Q9505s to Xeon to GTX1060.

 

[MrDreamerz]

No the G41 chipset doesn't support the 400FSB. In fact it craps out at about 340 when overclocked.
BTW I just did the X5470 swap, and GTX1060 in my own Opti 380.
https://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-OptiPlex-380/1942
1st,4th, and 7th places are the progression of my computer from Q9505s to Xeon to GTX1060.

Nice! Ok i just bought the Intel Xeon X5260 3.33GHz/6M/1333 "https://www.ebay.com/itm/282636200300"
and i got a 4gb stick to make 8 in total on the way im gonna make this thing out too
btw how do i overclock on this thing when i get it all set up and what are my limits?

 

[william p]

You should have asked sooner. If you want a 2 core overclock The E7500 with a BSEL tape mod is the simplest OC there is. 3.66GHz.
Overclocking really doesn't happen much on this computer. The FSB craps out at 340fsb. The Xeon swap is the fastest 4 core. 3.33 to 3.4GHz OC.
Here is the mod. The 2nd photo is it. It jumps the FSB form 266 to 333.
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2125877/tape-mod-bsel-mod-intel-q6600.html
E7600 would be faster but IDK if the Voltage is there for the 3.8GHz speed. Probaly luck of the draw.
D9729 is a good cooler. You will probably need tro get one with the tall cover included.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Dell-Optiplex-745-MT-Heatsink-w-Shroud-D9729-J9761/382625067169?epid=1671386341&hash=item59163b30a1:gIgAAOSwi-dbuOHQ
You can probaly find one cheaper.
J9761 is the assembly.
https://www.ebay.com/p/Genuine-Dell-Optiplex-745-MT-Heatsink-W-Shroud-D9729-J9761/1671386341

 

[MrDreamerz]

You should have asked sooner. If you want a 2 core overclock The E7500 with a BSEL tape mod is the simplest OC there is. 3.66GHz.
Overclocking really doesn't happen much on this computer. The FSB craps out at 340fsb. The Xeon swap is the fastest 4 core. 3.33 to 3.4GHz OC.
Here is the mod. The 2nd photo is it. It jumps the FSB form 266 to 333.
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2125877/tape-mod-bsel-mod-intel-q6600.html
E7600 would be faster but IDK if the Voltage is there for the 3.8GHz speed. Probaly luck of the draw.
D9729 is a good cooler. You will probably need tro get one with the tall cover included.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Dell-Optiplex-745-MT-Heatsink-w-Shroud-D9729-J9761/382625067169?epid=1671386341&hash=item59163b30a1:gIgAAOSwi-dbuOHQ
You can probaly find one cheaper.
J9761 is the assembly.
https://www.ebay.com/p/Genuine-Dell-Optiplex-745-MT-Heatsink-W-Shroud-D9729-J9761/1671386341

Then i won't worry to much on OC then just the best and fastest cpu, what would you recommend?
the Xeon X5460 i got was only 10 bucks so i won't mind buying another if you recommend a better one, let me know thanks

 

[william p]

The X5460 was the fastest Opti 380 CPU until I did the X5470. It's a good mod if you already have it. The 380 is the only Opti that doesn't have a 95W CPU limit, and the only one that can run a Xeon. The X5470 is faster. I post at Overclock.net as Retrorockit. LGA775 to 771 Club has my posts about how to do this mod. Get the cooler, Throttlestop 6.00 software, and HWinfo64. I didn't need the BIOS mod.
Here is the website for how to do the mod.
https://www.delidded.com/lga-771-to-775-adapter/
I would say do the mod with the X5460 and get the bugs out. Then do the X5470 if you want to.
The easiest GPU upgrade is the Zotac GTX 1050 Mini, or the Zotac GTX1050Ti 4GB Mini. Others won't fit. I'm assuming the Mini Tower size right?

 

[MrDreamerz]

The X5260 was the fastest Opti 380 CPU until I did the X5470. It's a good mod if you already have it. The 380 is the only Opti that doesn't have a 95W CPU limit, and the only one that can run a Xeon. The X5470 is faster. I post at Overclock.net as Retrorockit. LGA775 to 771 Club has my posts about how to do this mod. Get the cooler, Throttlestop 6.00 software, and HWinfo64. I didn't need the BIOS mod.
Here is the website for how to do the mod.
https://www.delidded.com/lga-771-to-775-adapter/
I would say do the mod with the X5260 and get the bugs out. Then do the X5470 if you want to.
The easiest GPU upgrade is the Zotac GTX 1050 Mini, or the Zotac GTX1050Ti 4GB Mini. Others won't fit. I'm assuming the Mini Tower size right?

I'll try the the CPU i got the x5260 and use that for now since it's right under the x5470 you recommended and see how much speed and performance i get from it and ya i got a mini tower i got a AMD 7770 HD GPU in it right now, do you think there's a way to remove the plastic casing that's in the way to put a bigger and better gpu in tho?
btw for the x5260 im getting they said it needs no adapter, are they referring to the little tape that goes in the back?
it's already modded tho.
Forgive me for the stupid questions this is my first cpu change

Crap! i just notice the cpu i bought is a x5260!
im asking for a refund and im buying the modded X5470 right now!!

 

[william p]

I was wondering which it was X5260 or X5460. But the X5470 is king of the hill for LGA775 Optiplexes.
I tweaked the settings and actually got a 50% gaming score at Userbench. But they didn't post it, probably because it's too close to the existing score.
An anti spamming protection I guesss.
As far as cooling goes that needs to be there. The best, and only GPU that fits as is and doesn't need a PSU upgrade is the Zotac GTX 1050 MINI 2GB, or 4GB versions.. Single slot bracket, and only as long as the PCIe slot.
My MSI GTX1060 3GB OCV1 required cutting the bracket in 1/2 and trimming it's tail a little bit. This of course viods the warranty. And I used an old Dell Dimension 9150 375W PSU i had laying around to get the 6 pin PCIe cable. But I also had the SATA adapter instead of the old IDE Molex cable. The MSI doesn't have a hardmounted HDMI socket in the 2nd slot. So it can be narrowed there. Other 1060 can't.
A 375W PSU from a Dell T3400 would be good also. No adapters then.

 

[MrDreamerz]

I was wondering which it was X5260 or X5460. But the X5470 is king of the hill for LGA775 Optiplexes.
I tweaked the settings and actually got a 50% gaming score at Userbench. But they didn't post it, probably because it's too close to the existing score.
An anti spamming protection I guesss.
As far as cooling goes that needs to be there. The best, and only GPU that fits as is and doesn't need a PSU upgrade is the Zotac GTX 1050 MINI 2GB, or 4GB versions.. Single slot bracket, and only as long as the PCIe slot.
My MSI GTX1060 3GB OCV1 required cutting the bracket in 1/2 and trimming it's tail a little bit. This of course viods the warranty. And I used an old Dell Dimension 9150 375W PSU i had laying around to get the 6 pin PCIe cable. But I also had the SATA adapter instead of the old IDE Molex cable. The MSI doesn't have a hardmounted HDMI socket in the 2nd slot. So it can be narrowed there. Other 1060 can't.
A 375W PSU from a Dell T3400 would be good also. No adapters then.

Cool deal! Can you tell me if this X5470 needs that little tape in the back or is it good to go for my Optiplex 380?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Inte-l-Xeon-X5470-SLBBF-Processor-CPU-3-33GHz-12M-1333MHz-equal-to-Core-2-Quad/32560037124.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000014.2.292063d8caMksb&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.13338.110449.000000000000000&scm_id=1007.13338.110449.000000000000000&scm-url=1007.13338.110449.000000000000000&pvid=11bb7849-13a5-40aa-b905-17f12dee0398

 

[william p]

All the X5400 series need the tape. The 5 means 2 CPU Xeon LGA771. They require the socket mod, and tape. The x3000 are LGA775 except they used those numbers for some LGA1156 also.
Here are the quad cores that will run in that. LGA775 will run as is. LGA771 all need to be modded.
https://www.delidded.com/lga-771-775-cpus/?filter=socket-lga-771,socket-lga-775,series-core-2-quad,series-xeon,fsb-1333,node-45nm&tdp-max=120
There is a patched BIOS at BIOS Mods .com
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-OptiPlex-360-380-760-780-960-Xeon-LGA-771-E0-1067A-Microcode?page=20
I didn't use it. But I already had a newer CPU installed so most of the stuff was there.

 

[MrDreamerz]

All the X5400 series need the tape. The 5 means 2 CPU Xeon LGA771. They require the socket mod, and tape. The x3000 are LGA775 except they used those numbers for some LGA1156 also.
Here are the quad cores that will run in that. LGA775 will run as is. LGA771 all need to be modded.
https://www.delidded.com/lga-771-775-cpus/?filter=socket-lga-771,socket-lga-775,series-core-2-quad,series-xeon,fsb-1333,node-45nm&tdp-max=120
There is a patched BIOS at BIOS Mods .com
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-OptiPlex-360-380-760-780-960-Xeon-LGA-771-E0-1067A-Microcode?page=20
I didn't use it. But I already had a newer CPU installed so most of the stuff was there.

Great! Thanks!
I'll order the X5470 one that i showed you from the link i provided from aliexpress and i'll buy the tape too
BTW which file or files to i need exactly? do i need just one?
is this the one i need? (optiplex 380_771.rar) or this one? (optiplex 380_771_a07.rar)
then to i just double click on it from within windows to input it before i install the cpu?
forgive me like i said first timer
btw aliexpress said the x5470 is already modified but i bought the tape just incase

 

[william p]

I actually haven't done the BIOS mod on mine yet. The file at BIOS Mods.com installs with DCCU Dell Client Configuration Utility. You will need to get that too.
I had a newer CPU already in there so I was in pretty good shape.This is the first Xeon swap for me also. You will need the bigger cooler. The 65W Aluminum thing they came with won't cut it with a 120W CPU.

 

[MrDreamerz]

I actually haven't done the BIOS mod on mine yet. The file at BIOS Mods.com installs with DCCU Dell Client Configuration Utility. You will need to get that too.
I had a newer CPU already in there so I was in pretty good shape.This is the first Xeon swap for me also. You will need the bigger cooler. The 65W Aluminum thing they came with won't cut it with a 120W CPU.

What file or files (with dccu dell client config?) do i need from bios mod.com?
and when your talking about "bigger cooler" do you mean a better heat sink for the cpu?
will the heat sink you provided in a few earlier post work which is this one, https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Dell-Optiplex-745-MT-Heatsink-w-Shroud-D9729-J9761-/382625067169?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c4#viTabs_0
and will it fit in the optiplex 380 MT?

Also is there a youtube video that goes through all these steps so it will be easier to follow?
can you provide direct links also for the files i need?
And again Thanks you sooo much for helping me you seem to be the only that is and you seem very smart about this stuff.

 

[william p]

Look on the last pages of this forum.All the files are linked there.
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-OptiPlex-360-380-760-780-960-Xeon-LGA-771-E0-1067A-Microcode
J9761 is the 6 pipe CPU cooler and housing. They can be had for about $10 if you shop around.
I doubt if anyone has made a Youtube about a Xeon Opti 380. Very few people bother to do this mod, much less "film" it.
The modded CPU should drop right in. The new heatsink also. Flash the BIOS and it should be good.

 

[MrDreamerz]

Look on the last pages of this forum.All the files are linked there.
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-OptiPlex-360-380-760-780-960-Xeon-LGA-771-E0-1067A-Microcode
J9761 is the 6 pipe CPU cooler and housing. They can be had for about $10 if you shop around.
I doubt if anyone has made a Youtube about a Xeon Opti 380. Very few people bother to do this mod, much less "film" it.
The modded CPU should drop right in. The new heatsink also. Flash the BIOS and it should be good.

Thanks!!
Is this the heat sink your talking about i need?
(https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-CPU-Heatsink-Optiplex-GX620-330-740-745-755-0J9761-LOT-V-/172205425629?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c1#viTabs_0)

And for this forum,
(https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-OptiPlex-360-380-760-780-960-Xeon-LGA-771-E0-1067A-Microcode?page=20)
there are so many links and files i'm not sure which ones i need is there a way you can be precise on which exact files i need to flash the bios or direct links?
And do i flash the bios before or after i install the modded cpu?
Btw i'm gonna try to video record the hole process on how i do it so to help others in my position
And here is a youtube video that i think is similar what i need to do kinda?
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUqBW-kq1_0)
Also i hope you don't mind if i keep in contact with you through this process i sure could use all the help i can get and thanks again

 

[william p]

Yes it's the old Optiplex 745 heatsink that the 130Watt Pentium D used. Perfect for the 120W Xeon.
Here's where I got the BIOS file.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10U_sn21AzbX0owdfhaO2pfvA0yQcl_DM/view
The DCCU loader and the BIOS file are there.
Ifd you already have A06,or A07 BIOS then you will probably need the A07 modded BIOS.

 

[MrDreamerz]

Yes it's the old Optiplex 745 heatsink that the 130Watt Pentium D used. Perfect for the 120W Xeon.
Here's where I got the BIOS file.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10U_sn21AzbX0owdfhaO2pfvA0yQcl_DM/view
The DCCU loader and the BIOS file are there.
Ifd you already have A06,or A07 BIOS then you will probably need the A07 modded BIOS.

Ya im updated to the latest bios to A07 so where can i get the A07 modded BIOS?
or is it in the link you just gave me?