Dell 960 MT CPU Upgrade to Quad Core

[tmhanser]

I understand it can be done, but I want to verify this, if possible.

Page 11 on this Dell document indicates different processors that will work:

www.dell.com/.../desktop-optiplex-960-technical-guidebook-en.pdf

So a Q9650 or a Q9550 will work with my Optiplex 960 MT? They're both available on Amazon.com.

Is there anything I should know before I remove the old CPU? I'll remember to add a dab of thermal paste before installing the HUGE heat sink, but what about installing the sticker on the bottom of the CPU? Where I can find tech help on installing a new CPU?

Thanks so much. Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[VirtualLarry]

"sticker on the bottom of the CPU"? I think that's only to adapt the C2Q-equivalent Xeon CPUs to work in your board, not a genuine Q9550 or Q9650.

 

[Burpo]

The Q9400 is about 1/2 the price of the other quad cpu's. Your Dell will def be more productive with a quad.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-...619482?hash=item360c7af81a:g:d5wAAOSwX~dWpirG

 

[VirtualLarry]

Good find, Burpo. That's actually quite a lot of processor for $16.99 shipped.

If only there were some more modern mobos (prefer ITX), that took DDR3, and had half-decent integrated graphics (and maybe a SATA M.2 socket), then maybe we could put the multitude of used Core2 (Duo/Quad) CPUs back to work!

(Does NVidia still have a license to Intel's FSB technology? Maybe they would be interested in spinning up a 6150SE variant for Intel?)

 

[tmhanser]

Thanks, everyone. Burpo, I should have checked eBay first!

I ordered this CPU off of Amazon Sunday:

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Proces...l+Core+2+Quad+Processor+Q9550+2.83GHz+1333MHz

It should arrive this weekend but I'm wondering how straightforward the installation will go. I watched a YouTube video with a similar machine, but not exactly the same. The tech had to trim off two plastic tabs on the MB (or the CPU socket?) to get the new one to fit, and then there's the question of the sticker on the bottom I mentioned earlier.

I've never had to do any modifications to install a CPU before and I can only hope there's instructions with the new CPU from Intel on how to install this sticker. VirtualLarry, will this new CPU from Intel have this sticker?

Anything I need to know before I start this upgrade? Will the new CPU drop in just fine, with no modifications? Will I need to install that sticker I mentioned?

The heat sink (or is it a fan?) is quite large on an Optiplex 960 but I'll go look for some guidance on how to remove it safely. This isn't an expensive or new machine, but I want to keep it running a while longer and decided to put in a new CPU.

Thanks again.

 

[Burpo]

Yes, it'll drop in just fine. No need for any mods or stickers.
I think what you saw was an installation of an LGA771 Xeon in an LGA775 board.
The CPU you ordered should fit and work (according to the Dell manual) and has as much cache as the Xeon...

 

[tmhanser]

Thank you, Burpo! This is what I want to hear.

This should be a pretty forward installation now that I have this straightened out. One dab of thermal paste on the new CPU and I'll drop the heatsink back in. The guide for this is here:

http://itechjsc.com.vn/techsupport/dell/desktops/op960/sm/mt_cpu.htm

I think I've only done one CPU installation and it was YEARS ago. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again.