CPU Compatibility for upgrading Dell Latitude E5400

Yak73

Junior Member
Oct 7, 2018
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I have a Dell Latitude E5400 with an Intel Core 2 Duo T7250. I would like to upgrade the CPU. According to CPU-Z,my socket is Socket P (478) and the baseboard is 0D695C,manufactured by Dell,though I could not find much information on that online. The computer runs Windows 10. I'm looking at the Core 2 Duo P8700 as an upgrade option.

1)Is the P8700 compatible? If not,what is?
2)How do I determine if a CPU is compatible?
3)How do I compare 2 processors and tell which is better? What numbers should I be looking at?

Thank you everyone for your help.

PS- I do know it won't make much of a difference. It doesn't cost much, so I want to do it anyway.
 
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VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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you would be better off starting new, as that is so old.
Ordinarily, I'd kind of agree, but... if the OP wants a "project", then this would be a good one. Core2's still got some life left in it... especially compared to those awful Atom-based Cloudbooks. (Which are also usable, but I'd prefer a Core2, for everything except battery life.) Plus, you can probably fit a "real" 2.5" SATA SSD into a Core2 laptop, whereas you're stuck with the 32GB eMMC in a CloudBook. (But can add a 64GB microSD, generally.)
 
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VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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While it may work with a bios upgrade
This shouldn't be overlooked, either. Make sure before you attempt this, OP, that the current BIOS (or an available BIOS upgrade) supports the CPU in question that you want to add.
 
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Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
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The E5400 does work with 1066 Penryns. The 6MB cache 9xxx is absolutely worth it. I've upgraded the same basic model before and would absolutely recommend dialing back to 2.2-2.4Ghz models. There's not really great cooling in those, and of course you want to polish/clean the surfaces extremely well, and put some thicker rubber feet on the bottom to get more airflow. Update BIOS before any changes. Also verify if you hace AHCI vs ATA/Legacy mode. There are guides on converting an ATA install over to AHCI which absolutely offers better performance and will be critical if you later go SSD.
 
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VRAMdemon

Diamond Member
Aug 16, 2012
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Thanks for your help.
Does this mean 1066 MHz CPUs will not work? At http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-Latitude-E5400/1760 there are some systems with a P8700.
I'm not an expert on these things,so I'm quite confused.

The P8700 might work, it all depends if the motherboard in that particular laptop supports both 800 and 1066 FSB. You might have to update the BIOS to the latest. I upgraded a old ASUS KOI laptop with a T4300 to a T9300 and that motherboard only supported 800 mhz FSB. The P8700 only has a 3 MB cache. You will have better performance with the T series with a 6 MB cache the T9300 runs at 2.50 and the T9500 is at 2.66 and they are both 800 FSB CPU's. You can get these CPU's on Ebay for $20 - 30 range