Question The best CPU to upgrade old PC with LGA775?

[ProzacR]

I have P5QL/EPU with Intel® P43 chipset and LGA775 socket and want upgrade my Q9300 CPU into the best possible. What you think is nice option?
I think I can fit those extreme ones, but some are really old and not even better so it would be nice to hear suggestions. Maybe some kind of those Xenon would be nice?

 

[Joseph57]

CPU Upgrade web site has a list of compatible processors for that board:
CPU upgrade list


Not seeing and Xenon's in that list or the Asus CPU list either. Looks like your best option would be a Core 2 Extreme

 

[Wolfshadw]

ASUS P5Q/EPU - CPU Support List

No. None of the Xeon processors are officially compatible with your motherboard.

I think I can fit those extreme ones, but some are really old...

Yes, you can install the Core2Extreme processors, but they are ALL really old. The best (QX9770) was released over 12 years ago. Unless you're getting a new processor for free, it's not worth the time, money, or effort.

-Wolf sends

 

[william p]

Deliided.com shows the Xeon swap as working for that specific MB listed there.
https://www.delidded.com/lga-771-to-775-adapter/3/#asus
So X5470, QX9650 would get you 3.33Ghz or faster with the Extreme CPU.
Here are the CPU choices filtered for that MB.
https://www.delidded.com/lga-771-77...xeon,fsb-1333,node-45nm,node-65nm&tdp-max=136
They give the stepping and the Sxxxx code there. Shopping by the S code can bring up some hidden listing for sold out CPUs.
IDK if that MB has an unlocked BIOS with Voltage, and fsb control or not. I'm guessing it's unlocked form the overclocks I'm seeing at HWBOT.
Here are the userbenchmarks for that. So you can see what others are getting out of that system.
https://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Asus-P5QLEPU/226
Here's an overclocked Q9650 in that.
https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/29456455
Might just overclock your Q9300 for some cheap thrills.
I would do the E5450 Xeon swap for an 80W equivalent of the 95W Q9650, and overclock it . This will require the Xeon tape adapter, and probably a modded BIOS. w/o overclocking the x5470 is nice.

 

[Karadjgne]

Xeons were lga771. Mainstream is lga775. The forms are physically identical, so a 771 will actually work in a 775, however there are a few modifications needed. Namely special little stickers that attach to the bottom of the cpu connecting several of the nubs together. This must be done exactly, or risk damage to the cpu/motherboard.

But it's doable. There's plenty of documentation/videos on the mod.

Biggest issue with 775 is if you don't have the right motherboard chipset/ICH, you'll get mediocre performance anyways, especially concerning OC, which pretty much invalidates any potential performance gains.

 

[SamirD]

The q9650 is the easiest 'drop-in' upgrade, but this chip commands a premium in price. A q9550 or q9500 can be had for less, but it's not much of an upgrade from the q9300 you currently have. I would just try overclocking the q9300 as you will probably achieve similar performance as a q9650/9550 upgrade:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compar...50-vs-Intel-Core2-Quad-Q9300/1050vs1049vs1044

Depending on your use case, if faster single thread performance is what you need, then the e8600 was the fastest and is relatively cheap:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compar...s-Intel-Core2-Duo-E8600/1050vs1049vs1044vs957

My e8600 based systems feel the fastest until I throw multiple tasks at them, then the q9550 and q9400 ones are faster. A gpu can help lots and the 750Ti is a good period correct choice. If you can get a gtx 770 or gtx 780, even better--but make sure you have enough power supply for those.

 

[william p]

The other thing with a Xeon swap is the notches on the CPU are in a different place. Either cut the tabs in the socket, or notch the CPU.
Without the correct modded BIOS the performance does suffer quite a bit. With it the increase is notable.
Delidded.com has all the info. on the Xeon swap.
https://www.delidded.com/lga-771-to-775-adapter/
The CPUs ending on 50 have more cache memory and run about 3% faster due to that.
For fast single thread a tapemodded E7500 will go 3.67GHz 2 core for $5.

If you can tweak your voltage a n E7600 will go 3.83GHz.
SLGTD on Amazon $5.55 free shipping. I posted a link but it went to my account there So look it up for yourself.

 

[SamirD]

Are those $5 chips genuine or china copy fakes?

 

[william p]

Nobody bothers to fake 266FSB low end core 2 CPUs. They were in millions of office computers and supply is huge and demand is almost =0.
The BSEL mod is an old school 65nm Q6600 hack that is obsolet for 4 core but for 45nm 2 core still has some life in it. I saw one listing for 77 of E7500 or 7600 for $86, or about $1.25 each. He can't sell them for $5 each or he would.