What should i look for when choosing a CPU?

[soldier5637]

I have a Dell Optiplex 960 made in 2009 and im wanting to upgrade from the E8400 Core 2 Duo 3.00 GHz one it has now. What specs should i look for to ensure it will work with what i have?
Thanks!!

 

[TomTom111]

Socket socket socket...
Look at the socket of that CPU, and make sure the new CPU has the same socket, and all should be smooth.
Also ensure you have enough headroom in your power supply, and it can handle an upgrade.

 

[soldier5637]

Just the socket? I know my PSU can handle it. I just put in a corsair ATX 430 watt.

 

[TomTom111]

Just the socket? I know my PSU can handle it. I just put in a corsair ATX 430 watt.

if you're certain your PSU can handle it, then the only other thing you will need to worry about is the socket of the CPU and MOBO.
That, and check the max TDP of the CPU and MOBO.
i.e.
You want a 125W CPU, but mobo only supports 95W CPU.

What were you planning on upgrading to?

 

[soldier5637]

Im wanting to upgrade to a more powerful quad core CPU. I was hoping for maybe i5.

 

[TomTom111]

Im wanting to upgrade to a more powerful quad core CPU. I was hoping for maybe i5.

Which i5 did you have in mind?
What motherboard do you have now? Or are you upgrading that as well?

 

[beyondlogic]

I have a Dell Optiplex 960 made in 2009 and im wanting to upgrade from the E8400 Core 2 Duo 3.00 GHz one it has now. What specs should i look for to ensure it will work with what i have?
Thanks!!

i5 isnt possible with the dell opti 960 your limited to 775 socket type i5 is a 1155 or 1150 socket depending which model your looking at

sandy bridge 1155
ivy bridge 1155
haswell 1150

in order to even get a i5

you would need to change the board and operating system and ram

if you want a processor that works in your dell you will need the next stage up core quad

from what very little info i could gather offically they put the core quad 9000 series into dell optiplex

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/desktop-optiplex-960-customer-brochure-en.pdf

this is 1 i would recomend its cheap and cheerful

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001DEWO9W/ref=sr_1_2_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1386031031&sr=8-2&keywords=Intel+Core+2+Quad+Q9400&condition=used

newer cooler to keep cpu healthy
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118098&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=