Tombstone24 :
I have a dell optiplex 745 desktop, and I would like to know if my new bios update will support this series of core 2 duo chips, particularly the e7600 chip. My research shows that this chip is substantially better than what I have (the e6600). Any help will be appreciated and thank you in advance. And by the way, please do not tell me to get a newer computer, as I don't have that kind of money.
Tombstone24,
The world of Core2 Duo CPU's is a bit complicated- the designations are similar looking but the compatibility is surprisingly limited. The short answer is that you need to match:
1. the correct socket,
2. the FSB speed- Front Side Bus, and
3. the "lithography" which is in effect, the spacing between components expressed in nm or nanometers.
Your current Core2 Duo E6600 is:
1. Socket LGA775,
2. 1066MHz FSB, and
3. 65nm. See:
http://ark.intel.com/products/27250/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-E6600-4M-Cache-2_40-GHz-1066-MHz-FSB
In comparison, the Core2 Duo E7600 is
1. Socket LGA775,
2. 1066MHz FSB, and
3.
45nm:
http://ark.intel.com/products/41495/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-E7600-3M-Cache-3_06-GHz-1066-MHz-FSB
> and as a newer series, with the closer lithography, will not work.
A good way to understand the fastest CPU is to have a look at the CPU's offered when the system was new.
You can of course, stick with a Core2 Duo dual core, but a big boost will be made when going to a quad core. I think you'll find that the highest clock speed CPU will be the Core2 Extreme quad core Q6800 @ 2.93GHz:
http://ark.intel.com/products/30720/Intel-Core2-Extreme-Processor-QX6800-8M-Cache-2_93-GHz-1066-MHz-FSB
> which is 130W processor. These are currently on Ebahh for about $90.- relatively expensive as it's the fastest that can fit and when new cost $1,125.
Alternatively, and the CPU I'd recommend is the Core 2 Quad Q6700 @ 2.66GHz:
http://ark.intel.com/products/30790/Intel-Core2-Quad-Processor-Q6700-8M-Cache-2_66-GHz-1066-MHz-FSB
> and these are also 4-cores instead of 2-core, 105W and about half the price of the QX6800- about $40-50.
To upgrade to the quad core, you will need to have the higher rated cooling heat sink. In place of the plain Aluminum finned one, you need to have the one with the liquid filled Copper tubes:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-745-755-760-CPU-Heatsink-amp-Shroud-H895D-/141363722560?pt=US_CPU_Fans_Heatsinks&hash=item20e9ef3940&nma=true&si=8GgSy4K8sK94J%252BMFembgALLK0lI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
This is a completed listing for one of these coolers. As you can see, once you find one, they are not expensive- this one was $7. The shipping may cost more than the cooler! These do vary and there are a lot of similar ones, so the best way to get the right one is to specifically search "Optiplex 745 CPU cooler" and buy the one with the Copper pipes running through it. Don't forget to have the thermal paste on hand, have everything very clean (denature alcohol) and smooth and apply it properly- a quite thin, even coat.
Upgrading the BIOS - I think- check the manual-will allow the system to use 8GB of RAM, which is DDR2 667. Always a good idea anyway. Again, the RAM is a bit fussy and I'd advise getting the exact numbers off the RAM that's in there and search for Optiplex 745 RAM" or ',..Memory". I upgraded a Dell Precision 390 and had to buy RAM three times.
Of course, the other upgrade that can really improve this kind of system is the graphics card and this can make as noticeable improvement as the CPU. To avoid interference with the CPU cooler shroud, look for very short, single height cards- cards in which the board doesn't extend almost at all further than the pins. I had very good results in a Dell Dimension E520 with similar space limitations with a GeForce GT 440:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PNY-NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-440-1-GB-GDDR5-Video-Graphics-Card-/231290882806?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item35da02caf6&nma=true&si=8GgSy4K8sK94J%252BMFembgALLK0lI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
A Gt 440 with 1GB of GDDR5 is much faster than the DDR3 ones and for only $19. I bought one for $25 and in the E520 it changed the Passmark 3D score from 74 to 978 !
I like getting these older system going well and when done the performance in day to day work is just fine.
Sorry for such a long post.
Cheers,
BambiBoom
HP z420 (2014) > Xeon E5-1620 quad core @ 3.6 / 3.8GHz > 24GB DDR3 ECC 1600 RAM > Quadro 4000 (2GB)> Samsung 840 SSD 250GB /Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > AE3000 USB WiFi > HP 2711X, 27" 1920 X 1080 > Windows 7 Ultimate 64 >[Passmark system rating = 3923, CPU= 9223/ 2D= 839 / 3D=2048]
"Vintage Systems":
Dell Precision T5400 (2008) > 2X Xeon X5460 quad core @3.16GHz > 16GB DDR2 ECC 667> Quadro FX 4800 (1.5GB) > WD RE4 500GB / Seagate Barracuda 500GB > M-Audio 2496 Sound Card / Linksys 600N WiFi > Dell 24" and Dell 19" LCD > Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit > [Passmark system rating = 1859, CPU = 8528 / 2D= 512 / 3D=1097]
Dell Precision 390 (2005) Xeon x3230 quad core @ 2.67GHz > 6 GB DDR2 ECC 667 > Firepro V4900 (1GB)> 2X WD 320GB > 2X Dell 19" LCD > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit [Passmark system rating = 1431, CPU = 3642 / 2D= 433 / 3D=1346]
Dell Dimension E520 (2006) Core2 Duo E6700 dual core @2.66GHz > 4GB DDR2 667 > GeForce GT440 (1GB GDDR5) > 2X Western Digital 320GB> 2X Dell 19" LCD > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit [Passmark system rating = 1219, CPU = 2024 / 2D= 457 / 3D=978]
Dell Optiplex 740 (2004) AMD Athlon X2 64 6000+ 3.0GHz, > 6GB DDR2 667 > Quadro FX 580 (512MB) > NEC 22" CRT > Windows XP Pro 64-bit
2D, 3D CAD, Image Processing, Rendering, Text > Architecture, industrial design, graphic design, written projects
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram