Upgrading Motherboard and reusing Intel 3.0Ghz Q9650 processor

[Rashpraetor]

I have a computer that I was considering doing some upgrades to. I have had it about 5 years and its a Dell XPS 630i. I am considering replacing PSU, Motherboard, Harddrive, and Case... maybe the Ram(well probably not). I want to keep the processor and GPU. I am trying to keep this as a cheap upgrade. I think replacing the Hard Drive is going to be a big improvement. Can I put my Intel Q9650 Quad onto a new motherboard like:
Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gah97d3h
or would there be a conflict? I also have a GPU : NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285

Any advice would be helpful, it would be nice to turn this computer that feels like its on its last leg and make it into something, we can just slowly replace pieces and never have to do a full purchase again. ie: Update the Case, Mobo, PSU and in 4-5 months replace the processors and GPU.
Thanks

 

[rhysiam]

Unfortunately no, you can't do that. Intel upgrades CPU sockets every second generation, so you can't even put a 2-3 year old CPU in that motherboard, let alone your Core2 Quad. That's now about 4 sockets old.

 

[rmark45matsu]

Unfortunately that cpu has a socket type LGA775, while the motherboard has a socket type LGA1150 which means they aren't compatible. You need to find a motherboard with a LGA775 socket.

This one is compatible and not a bank breaker: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gag41mts2pt

 

[rhysiam]

FYI - there's not a lot of point upgrading the motherboard. MBs provide features, but have pretty little impact on performance compared to CPU & GPU. If there are specific features you really need, you're better adding them with a dedicated card rather than trying to upgrade the motherboard IMHO.

If you're not happy with performance, either look at a GPU upgrade (which is what I'd recommend), or start saving for a whole new system.

The Core2 Quad is not bad though, and would probably run just fine with a solid mid range graphics card.

 

[smorizio]

older cpu have diffrent pin out then the newer cpus. the older cpu had 775 pins the newer cpu now have 1150 and soon 1151 pins. with dells and hp if you replace the mb the restore cd wont work anymore they look for dell info on the bios chip. also in older pc most of the drives were ide. new motherboards have all gone over to sata drives. the 285 gpu is slower then most of intel and amd ipgpu now. and uses a lot of power. I would look on newegg for combo deals to help you on your new pc or combo deals at micro center if you have one close. this months combo is the g3258 and z97 mb for 99.00. the z97 mb next your will be replaed when skywell drops the two cpu right now from online leaks wont drop into each other mb. if your going to game on the pc then your looking with a os 900-1000 in parts. you can start with new case and cpu....then put in aa gpu latter when you have the funds.

 

[jaimelmiel]

That board does not support your processor. You need to find a socket 775 Motherboard.
These will:
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?p=MB-G41MSPT&c=fr&pid=3af656c64e7d3dbe6a15ac643469239cde32682fd8b44c3d09052786ced4bc66&gclid=CjwKEAjw2MOhBRCq-Nr87_j-lDASJAAl4FNhRAQY-fq2q_CTyVZtQGy6XSmM4Xmc9GmzScmCkXykBhoCkgLw_wcB#

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130675&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Intel+Motherboards-_-N82E16813130675&gclid=CjwKEAjw2MOhBRCq-Nr87_j-lDASJAAl4FNhBzAjC3EkP9_CJ4Pa_8o6F8svvXM58SAri5btPt6CaRoC4zrw_wcB
They really do not make motherboards for socket 775 any more. It is a dead line.

 

[aks_1337]

That CPU is Socket 775, it's a old type of socket now and is unsupported by Intel.
The motherboard you're showing as example is of the Z97 architecture, the latest Haswell architecture so to answer your question: No you can't put that CPU into that motherboard.

Best bet realistically is to upgrade the CPU and potentially futureproof your system. Also you will be required to upgrade RAM as your current system will most likely have DDR2 ram, whilst the latest stuff is DDR3 (going onto DDR4).

Something like below to start you off:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£171.54 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£89.40 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £260.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-06 01:09 BST+0100


Also if you're not into ultra hardcore gaming, you could get a GTX 760 to go with it as it packs a punch whilst being fairly cheap. Though I'd recommend the GTX 770 or higher.

 

[rhysiam]

Personally I question the wisdom of 'upgrading' from a Core2 Quad to a dual core pentium. Not sure that's a solid upgrade personally.

OP - what's motivating the upgrade. Specific games not running well? Specific apps? Do you have a budget you're aiming at? With those questions answered we'd be better placed to give advice on the best upgrade options.

 

[Rashpraetor]

Personally I question the wisdom of 'upgrading' from a Core2 Quad to a dual core pentium. Not sure that's a solid upgrade personally.

OP - what's motivating the upgrade. Specific games not running well? Specific apps? Do you have a budget you're aiming at? With those questions answered we'd be better placed to give advice on the best upgrade options.

Computers starting to run really sluggish. I play WoW and after a few hours of play, my computer starts lagging. There is a huge amount of time for bootup and loading everything. WOW loads up really slow. I thought maybe its because it may be time to wipe the hard drive and start fresh with a new reload of windows and drivers, or it could be the hard drive is wearing down. I run Mcafee Total Protection and recently I ran spybot and malwarebytes. These systems found a few things, but nothing major.
So I figured since I thought it was a good time to upgrade the hard drive, that it would be a good time to make this system more upgradeable. Dell doesn't make its systems very upgradeable. They put a Dell PSU, that hasn't given me issues, but it would probably be better to have a more efficient PSU with the 80+ Bronze.
What it sounds like is I should upgrade motherboard and processor together when I do. I just don't want to have to buy entire systems anymore.
I am building my very first PC next week. I have ordered all the parts and waiting for them to get to the house. This old computer is going to my wife, and I thought to upgrade it enough that it runs smooth and then later upgrade the CPU and GPU. Spending couple hundred at a time instead of 700-1000 all at one time.
Those were my motivations for the questions, and I appreciate all the answers given.
I thought about the suggestion that I could get a non-dell mobo from gigabyte that's 775 but then I considered what others said that it would be old and out of date. No sense in doing that. I should probably just buy a whole new computer for her as well.

 

[Unolocogringo]

For its age you have a solid computer.
The only part that really needs upgrading is the video card. And maybe the ram depending on how much you have.
If you change the motherboard you will need a new windows license.
A GTX 770 or 970 would be a very solid upgrade that could be carried over to a new build.
The 750 watt power supply is plenty for either. No need to upgrade it.
Really you would not see any performance difference from the other upgrades.

The original hard drives are a bit loud so a new hard drive might be in order.

A new build that would be faster is in the $1000 range. Upgrading the graphics and ram would serve the same purpose.

 

[rhysiam]

Computers starting to run really sluggish. I play WoW and after a few hours of play, my computer starts lagging. There is a huge amount of time for bootup and loading everything. WOW loads up really slow. I thought maybe its because it may be time to wipe the hard drive and start fresh with a new reload of windows and drivers, or it could be the hard drive is wearing down. I run Mcafee Total Protection and recently I ran spybot and malwarebytes. These systems found a few things, but nothing major.
So I figured since I thought it was a good time to upgrade the hard drive, that it would be a good time to make this system more upgradeable.

...

I should probably just buy a whole new computer for her as well.

I'm not convinced you need to chuck that system out. Those massive slow downs you're experiencing are probably either:

1) Software related (which you've guessed at already): this is relatively easily fixed by a fresh Windows install.
2) Heat issues from dust build up: I just transformed my friend's computer the other day just by taking an air blower to it. It was stuttering epically because both the video card and CPU were completely jammed up with dust. It's a good idea to clear it out if that's a possible issue
3) Dying hard disk:

My suggestion is:
1) Buy a ~256GB SSD to replace the old HDD. Something like this Kingston is cheap ($100 -$10 if you pay with VISA) and would do the job - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820721108
2) Reinstall the OS (at least Windows 7, if you're running Vista, buy Win 8.1 and install that) on the SSD - fresh install on SSD will make a maaaaaasive difference.
3) If you have the budget, grab a decent mid-range video card. Something around the GTX 760 or R9 270X range.

You'll then have a pretty decent, mid range gaming machine. The SSD will make it feel nice and responsive. It'll be a capable machine for the $100 on the SSD and whatever you spend on the video card. Much cheaper than a full upgrade that's for sure.

 

[Rashpraetor]

I'm not convinced you need to chuck that system out. Those massive slow downs you're experiencing are probably either:

1) Software related (which you've guessed at already): this is relatively easily fixed by a fresh Windows install.
2) Heat issues from dust build up: I just transformed my friend's computer the other day just by taking an air blower to it. It was stuttering epically because both the video card and CPU were completely jammed up with dust. It's a good idea to clear it out if that's a possible issue
3) Dying hard disk:

My suggestion is:
1) Buy a ~256GB SSD to replace the old HDD. Something like this Kingston is cheap ($100 -$10 if you pay with VISA) and would do the job - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820721108
2) Reinstall the OS (at least Windows 7, if you're running Vista, buy Win 8.1 and install that) on the SSD - fresh install on SSD will make a maaaaaasive difference.
3) If you have the budget, grab a decent mid-range video card. Something around the GTX 760 or R9 270X range.

You'll then have a pretty decent, mid range gaming machine. The SSD will make it feel nice and responsive. It'll be a capable machine for the $100 on the SSD and whatever you spend on the video card. Much cheaper than a full upgrade that's for sure.

I haven't installed a SSD before. I think plugging in a new HDD would be pretty easy, since they would have the same connection as 5 yrs ago. How about the SSD? Would it be setup with the same connections as the HDDs? and is it possible my 5 yr old system doesn't have the proper power/motherboard connections to install? I like the idea of grabbing a 256gb SSD and reloading a fresh version of 7 or 8. I am just worried about spending 100$ and it doesn't fit in this old system.
Thanks

Edit: 1 other thought, Will a GTX 760 fit in this old motherboard? have those chipsets not changed?

 

[Unolocogringo]

The SSD will make things much snappier. Loading windows and games loaded on it.
The motherboard will take any new video card. It will actually take 2 of them and your power supply will handle any one or 2 up to the GTX 760 GTX970 or AMD 270x or below.
The SSD is the same connectors as a hard drive.
Be sure to download all of the drivers from Dell unless you have an install cd with drivers on it for the motherboard chipset, sound card, card readers, Ethernet etc...
Unplug the power cable from your hard drives. Install the SSD. Install a fresh copy of windows on the SSD .
Then reattach the power cables to your hard drives.
This way you are sure to install windows on the SSD and then all of you files will still be available.
You will need to reinstall all of your programs and games to get them to work again, even though they still exist on the old hard drive.
You can just reinstall most of them to the old hard drive and all settings and files will be left intact. such as saved games, emails, word documents etc...
If you need help along the way just post back and one of our forum members will guide you through it.