Swapping a Xeon 3060 with Q9550

[joeam]

Hello,

I have this IBM x3250 (4365BU) with a dual-core Xeon 3060 that I want to replace with Q9550 to get a bit more performance out of the box. Based on what I found, the two use the same socket so theoretically, it should work. Can you think of a reason this wouldn't work?

Thanks all

 

[Maziar]

Hello and welcome to the forums
http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/x/hardware/rack/x3250m2/index.html
"Intel® Xeon® 3300 (quad-core) (up to 2.83 GHz/12 MB/1333 MHz) or Intel® Xeon® 3100 (dual-core) (up to 3.16 GHz/6 MB/1333 MHz) or Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E7200 (up to 2.53 GHz/1 GB/800 MHz) or Intel® Celeron® (up to 2.0 GHz/512 KB/800 MHz)"
Its a little bit confusing because it says it supports Xeon X3300 but doesn't talk about any Core2Quad CPUs.
But i think you can use a Q9550 on it since its the same as Xeon 3300

 

[joeam]

Hi Maziar,

Yes, confusing indeed. According to the link below, IBM x3250 was released in 2006 about the same release date as core 2 line. I could grab a Q9550 from the local store and try it but I won't be able to return it if it doesn't work unfortunately. I do have a x3320 so I'll try it out before buying the Q9550. I'll keep you posted.

Regards

 

[joeam]

The X3320 CPU is no go. I can't get the box to post. So perhaps Q9550 won't work either.

 

[Maziar]

It's really strange because it should work,well try updating your BIOS because sometimes a new BIOS lets you use new CPUs on it

 

[joeam]

I can't find anything online on this motherboard. Ironically, it's "Kentsfield" in its model name. Anyway, I give up on trying for now.

Regards

 

[GhislainG]

According to IBM, the only CPU available with that model is the Xeon 3060: http://www-304.ibm.com/shop/americas/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/default/ProductDisplay?productId=4611686018425291620&storeId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=4611686018425116957&dualCurrId=73&catalogId=-840 They probably don't support any other CPU.

 

[joeam]

I understand that's what IBM recommends but the motherboard is from a third party. So my hope was to get a BIOS update so the quad core can be used. Oh well

 

[GhislainG]

You'd have to figure out who makes the motherboard (CPU-Z might display that info) and a compatible BIOS for it. If it's like HP systems, you're probably out of luck.