Question What is the best performing CPU that is compatible with a Dell Optiplex 330?

[smmm]

I'm thinking about upgrading a Dell Optiplex 330 mini tower and I wanted to know the best performing compatible CPU. On the Dell technical guidebook for this computer, what looks like to me as the best CPU listed is a Intel Core 2 Duo E6850. Is there any other CPU that is compatible and validated but perhaps wasn't listed that will perform better, like a quad-core?
This PC currently has a Core 2 Duo E4600. The socket listed for this CPU on Intel's website is LGA775.

Thanks.

 

[delaro]

https://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optix_330_techspecs.pdf

Officially
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Processor (3.0 GHz, 4 MB L2 cache, 1333 MHz FSB)

https://www.dell.com/community/Desk...iPlex-330/m-p/5090039/highlight/true#M1016390

Unofficially
Q8400- Runs Hot will need a BIOS update most likely.
E8500

Not big upgrade regardless of what you pick.

 

[smmm]

https://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optix_330_techspecs.pdf

Officially
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Processor (3.0 GHz, 4 MB L2 cache, 1333 MHz FSB)

https://www.dell.com/community/Desk...iPlex-330/m-p/5090039/highlight/true#M1016390

Unofficially
Q8400- Runs Hot will need a BIOS update most likely.
E8500

Not big upgrade regardless of what you pick.

Great thanks! Do you think it would be stable enough and not throttle while gaming with the Q8400 or should I stick with the E8500? (I'm planning on selling the PC.)

 

[delaro]

I don't think it matters what you put in that, your talking CPU's that are 10+ years old so yes they are all going to struggle at some point. A Quad-core would struggle a little less but neither is going to be massively better.

 

[smmm]

I don't think it matters what you put in that, your talking CPU's that are 10+ years old so yes they are all going to struggle at some point. A Quad-core would struggle a little less but neither is going to be massively better.

So you don't think that temperature will be an issue? Like I said I'd probably sell it and I want to make sure I'm confident in the stability of the PC.

 

[delaro]

Q8400 should work but like I said will run hot a Q8400s would be more ideal since it's 65W. Yes under load your probably going to be throttling back but not enough to shut it down.

 

[smmm]

Ok thank you for your help.

 

[smmm]

I have the PC now, and the heat sink and fan are pretty large. Would it be able to handle a Q8400 nicely or still a no?

Thanks.

This is the model of the heat sink, and it is accompanied by a fan.
https://www.amazon.com/Dell-JN738-Processing-Heatsink-Compatible/dp/B005Y28V8C

 

[delaro]

95W CPU on a basically a passive cooler designed for a 65W CPU, yes it's going to run hot.

 

[smmm]

95W CPU on a basically a passive cooler designed for a 65W CPU, yes it's going to run hot.

Ok thanks.

 

[tennis2]

The cooler isn't passive, it's got a 92mm fan blowing through that shroud.

 

[Phaaze88]

The cooler isn't passive, it's got a 92mm fan blowing through that shroud.

The actual fan is sold separately from the heatsink/shroud.
What the OP linked: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-JN738-Processing-Heatsink-Compatible/dp/B005Y28V8C (just heatsink/shroud)
The fan that fits with the heatsink, but is sold separately: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Process...51MT9AX8M2S&psc=1&refRID=ANP1NWRKD51MT9AX8M2S

 

[smmm]

The actual fan is sold separately from the heatsink/shroud.
What the OP linked: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-JN738-Processing-Heatsink-Compatible/dp/B005Y28V8C (just heatsink/shroud)
The fan that fits with the heatsink, but is sold separately: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Process...51MT9AX8M2S&psc=1&refRID=ANP1NWRKD51MT9AX8M2S

Thank you both for elaborating on that. The cooler seems pretty substatial to me. With the stock E4600 it idles around 40 C and doesn't heat up much more that that under load. I'm aware that the E4600 and Q8400 are very different thermally, but that's just an example of what it's at now.

 

[delaro]

The cooler isn't passive, it's got a 92mm fan blowing through that shroud.

If it's not directly blowing on the Cooler in might as well be. The size varies you can get 80mm or 92mm from 25mm to 38mm, it all depends on what they have on hand and they can be from Sunin, Foxconn or Nidec. These are the same industrial fans you find in rack-mount servers. I got a box full of them and no place around me that takes e-waste .

For a 95W CPU you would want more CFM but you would also have to use a 4pin PMW fan and an adapter, that cooler setup is horribly inefficient.

Q8400S 65W ~ $25 and no heat issues.
Q8400 95W ~ $10 + a Replacement High CFM Fan $14 and a Adapter $2.

Which is a better value on an OEM board that can't be overclocked?

 

[smmm]

If it's not directly blowing on the Cooler in might as well be. The size varies you can get 80mm or 92mm from 25mm to 38mm, it all depends on what they have on hand and they can be from Sunin, Foxconn or Nidec. These are the same industrial fans you find in rack-mount servers. I got a box full of them and no place around me that takes e-waste .

For a 95W CPU you would want more CFM but you would also have to use a 4pin PMW fan and an adapter, that cooler setup is horribly inefficient.

Q8400S 65W ~ $25 and no heat issues.
Q8400 95W ~ $10 + a Replacement High CFM Fan $14 and a Adapter $2.

Which is a better value on an OEM board that can't be overclocked?

Alright thanks for the breakdown. I'm going super-budget with this so I think I'll just get a $5 E8500.

 

[tennis2]

Really think a bunch of sissies here. Go with the Quad.

 

[lynx1021]

That heat sink linked in my opinion is sorry, I had one Like that in my Dell SC430 and when I went from a Celeron to a Pentium D 945 the fan sounded like a jet engine. I changed it out for the Finned type like this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Power...009745&hash=item28833e228d:g:SZ8AAOSw8w1X4qdU
Here is one supposed to be for a 330 :https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-OptiP...583795&hash=item442765d621:g:knYAAOSwPfhblGBl

The aluminum one I had went to Scrap dealer for the metal!

 

[smmm]

That heat sink linked in my opinion is sorry, I had one Like that in my Dell SC430 and when I went from a Celeron to a Pentium D 945 the fan sounded like a jet engine. I changed it out for the Finned type like this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Power...009745&hash=item28833e228d:g:SZ8AAOSw8w1X4qdU
Here is one supposed to be for a 330 :https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-OptiP...583795&hash=item442765d621:g:knYAAOSwPfhblGBl

The aluminum one I had went to Scrap dealer for the metal!

Thank you.