Processor Upgrade for Dell Inspiron 560

[Erick Pena]

I am looking to upgrade my PCs processor. I currently have an Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 with the cores running at 2.93/2.94 GHz. Intel's website shows that my current processor has "Sockets Supported: LGA775".

I do a lot of graphic design, Photoshop CS6 (64-bit) work, batch image file type conversions, and video file type conversion (Handbreak).

I also do hobby level music production (FL Studio), watch HD movies and do some gaming (nothing too serious, mostly simulation games like Spore, SimCity, Roller Coaster Tycoon).

I want to reach 3.0+ GHz

I would prefer to NOT overclock my current CPU so I am looking for faster processors that are compatible with my system. Here are the details...


Manufacturer: Dell

Model: Inspiron 560

Operating system: Windows 7 (64-bit)

Memory (RAM): 8GB DDR3

Motherboard: Dell 0K83V0 A00

Processor: Intel core 2 duo E7500 @ 2.93 GHz, 2.94 GHz, Sockets Supported: LGA775

Chipset: Intel G45/G43 Express Chipset Rev A03

Graphics
• Intel GMA X4500 (Integrated) - NOT IN USE

• NVIDIA, PNY Quadro 400 (512 MB DDR3, 64-bit) - CURRENTLY IN USE and connected to HP Elite L2201x via DisplayPort cable for 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Board Connectors:
• PCI 124-pin (x1)
• PCI Express X1 36-pin (x2)
• PCI express X16 2.0 164-pin (x1) - IN USE BY NVIDIA, PNY Quadro 400
• PCI Express Revision 1.1

PSU:
• DC power supply
• Wattage: 300W
• Maximum heat dissipation 1574 BTU/hr
• Input voltage 115/230 VAC
• Input frequency 50/60 Hz
• Rated output current 7/4 A


Dell Inspiron 560 Full Details:
ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_inspiron_desktop/inspiron-560_User%27s%20Guide_en-us.pdf

Intel G43 Chipset full details:
http://ark.intel.com/products/36524/82G43-Graphics-and-Memory-Controller-Hub

 

[DComander1x]

I am looking to upgrade my PCs processor. I currently have an Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 with the cores running at 2.93/2.94 GHz. Intel's website shows that my current processor has "Sockets Supported: LGA775".

I do a lot of graphic design, Photoshop CS6 (64-bit) work, batch image file type conversions, and video file type conversion (Handbreak).

I also do hobby level music production (FL Studio), watch HD movies and do some gaming (nothing too serious, mostly simulation games like Spore, SimCity, Roller Coaster Tycoon).

I want to reach 3.0+ GHz

I would prefer to NOT overclock my current CPU so I am looking for faster processors that are compatible with my system. Here are the details...


Manufacturer: Dell

Model: Inspiron 560

Operating system: Windows 7 (64-bit)

Memory (RAM): 8GB DDR3

Motherboard: Dell 0K83V0 A00

Processor: Intel core 2 duo E7500 @ 2.93 GHz, 2.94 GHz, Sockets Supported: LGA775

Chipset: Intel G45/G43 Express Chipset Rev A03

Graphics
• Intel GMA X4500 (Integrated) - NOT IN USE

• NVIDIA, PNY Quadro 400 (512 MB DDR3, 64-bit) - CURRENTLY IN USE and connected to HP Elite L2201x via DisplayPort cable for 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Board Connectors:
• PCI 124-pin (x1)
• PCI Express X1 36-pin (x2)
• PCI express X16 2.0 164-pin (x1) - IN USE BY NVIDIA, PNY Quadro 400
• PCI Express Revision 1.1

PSU:
• DC power supply
• Wattage: 300W
• Maximum heat dissipation 1574 BTU/hr
• Input voltage 115/230 VAC
• Input frequency 50/60 Hz
• Rated output current 7/4 A


Dell Inspiron 560 Full Details:
ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_inspiron_desktop/inspiron-560_User%27s%20Guide_en-us.pdf

Intel G43 Chipset full details:
http://ark.intel.com/products/36524/82G43-Graphics-and-Memory-Controller-Hub

If you want to keep that aging system, a C2Duo E8400 / E8500 / E8600 Should Do you well, or a C2Quad 9650 should do fine, otherwise invest in a complete (motherboard, CPU, Memory) upgrade to a Core i7 or cheaper AMD FX 6300 / FX 8320 / FX 8350.

 

[Guest]

Funny thing, I just did research on this same exact topic earlier today. What I found was as long as you make sure your motherboard has the most recent BIOS update (A06), it should take any socket 775 processor you want to install in it. That includes the quad core processors as well. The only problem will be finding them at reasonable prices since Intel stopped producing them some time ago. The Core 2 Duo E8600 is a 3.33GHz dual core processor and is the fastest dual core for socket 775. There was supposed to be the E8700 at 3.5GHz but I don't think it ever made it out of engineering. The Core 2 Quad Q9650 is the 3Ghz quad core processor and is the fastest non-extreme edition quad core socket 775 processor.

 

[Erick Pena]

Funny thing, I just did research on this same exact topic earlier today. What I found was as long as you make sure your motherboard has the most recent BIOS update (A06), it should take any socket 775 processor you want to install in it. That includes the quad core processors as well. The only problem will be finding them at reasonable prices since Intel stopped producing them some time ago. The Core 2 Duo E8600 is a 3.33GHz dual core processor and is the fastest dual core for socket 775. There was supposed to be the E8700 at 3.5GHz but I don't think it ever made it out of engineering. The Core 2 Quad Q9650 is the 3Ghz quad core processor and is the fastest non-extreme edition quad core socket 775 processor.

Thank you so much for that information! Do you happen to know of any issues with bus type/speed and compatibility with the Inspiron 560 MoBo?

I have never done a CPU upgrade so I'm new to that.

 

[Guest]

Sorry, no, I do not.

 

[superDork]

if you are looking for a cheap quad core socket 775 cpu, you should look into the hack people are using to put really fast socket 771 Xeon cpu's into a 775 socket, it requires buying and installing a very small pin swap strip on the cpu and cutting off plastic nubs from the motherboard cpu socket, not easy but you can buy a kick butt xeon for next to nothing..

 

[Munchie]

if you are looking for a cheap quad core socket 775 cpu, you should look into the hack people are using to put really fast socket 771 Xeon cpu's into a 775 socket, it requires buying and installing a very small pin swap strip on the cpu and cutting off plastic nubs from the motherboard cpu socket, not easy but you can buy a kick butt xeon for next to nothing..

I was able to install a Xeon E5440 socket 771 CPU in my Dell Optiplex 330 with the use of a 775-to-771 adapter. Not sure if this will work on a Inspiron 560.

 

[Munchie]

if you are looking for a cheap quad core socket 775 cpu, you should look into the hack people are using to put really fast socket 771 Xeon cpu's into a 775 socket, it requires buying and installing a very small pin swap strip on the cpu and cutting off plastic nubs from the motherboard cpu socket, not easy but you can buy a kick butt xeon for next to nothing..

I thought I should add that some have reputedly found success with installing 771 Xeon CPUs in motherboards with G43 chipsets. The Inspiron 560 has a G43 chipset--yet I'm not sure if the Inspiron's BIOS will recognize Xeon 771 CPUs.