Can I Replace This CPU?

[jordan]

I found this 2008 dell optiplex they were getting rid of so I took it home with me. It has an extremely slow Celeron in it right now. (Single core 2ghz). These optiplexes are extremely upgradeable, but when I looked to the CPU I noticed there are no clamps holding it on the motherboard. So is it impossible to replace the cpu without replacing the whole board? I attached a picture in the link below.

 

[voyagerfan99]

I downloaded your picture and reuploaded it to a web host so it could be imbedded for others to see without downloading it.

That's not your CPU, it's your chipset. Your CPU is underneath the heatsink (that piece at the front with the fins and plastic shroud over it - circled in RED). Unscrew the two screws (circled in BLUE) and flip the heatsink to the side (to the rear of the computer - it may be hard to remove - just twist slightly and flip to the rear of the computer - it's hinged) and your CPU will be under that. (see my picture)

What is the specific model of Optiplex? The service tag would also be of help. Get me that information and I'll see if I can find what CPU's it'll take.

 

[jordan]

I downloaded your picture and reuploaded it to a web host so it could be imbedded for others to see without downloading it.

That's not your CPU, it's your chipset. Your CPU is underneath the heatsink (that piece at the front with the fins and plastic shroud over it - circled in RED). Unscrew the two screws (circled in BLUE) and flip the heatsink to the side (to the rear of the computer - it may be hard to remove - just twist slightly and flip to the rear of the computer - it's hinged) and your CPU will be under that. (see my picture)

What is the specific model of Optiplex? The service tag would also be of help. Get me that information and I'll see if I can find what CPU's it'll take.

Thank you so much! I thought it seemed odd that the heatsink was just randomly there but i never took it off because i didn't see anything under it. It is an Optiplex 755 and I know what cpus I can replace it with. I was worried I got some kind of model with an embedded cpu so this is great news. I'll make a low powered gaming computer out of it

 

[jp198780]

just make sure the FSB is the same. The 755 has 1066MHZ, so it should take any LGA775 processor
Idk if it would make a good gamer, can try it though. I would guess it'll take up to 4GB RAM. You will need a low profile video card, but I'm not sure if you'll be able to find a powerful enough one in that size

 

[voyagerfan99]

just make sure the FSB is the same. The 755 has 1066MHZ, so it should take any LGA775 processor
Idk if it would make a good gamer, can try it though. I would guess it'll take up to 4GB RAM. You will need a low profile video card, but I'm not sure if you'll be able to find a powerful enough one in that size

The low profile video card depends on what size tower he has. The 755 maxes out at 8GB of RAM.

 

[mskobier]

Jordan,
I have the same OptiPlex 755 SFF that it appears that you do. If I were you, before I started doing any upgrade to the system, I would make sure the system was working properly first. I did not see a HD in the picture you posted. I would get the system up and running to verify that all is working. Then I would go to the DELL drivers website and download and install the latest BIOS for your system. The latest is A22. That should give you the ability to upgrade to any of the core 2 duos or quads. I do not know anything about the Celerons, as my system came with a E8500 core 2 duo. I think the original build date for mine was in 2009. Anyway, I just finished (30 minutes ago) replacing the E8500 in my machine with a Q9650. That is a core 2 quad running at 3.0ghz. The E8500 was a duo running at 3.16ghz. I did the upgrade for a number of reasons. I wanted a quad core processor which also had twice the L2 cache at 12meg vs 6 meg of the E8500. Anyway, the cpu upgrade went fine and everything is working as it should.

My system also came with the ATI RADEON X2400 PRO 256MB low profile video card. I just purchased an upgraded card that DELL lists as compatible. That card is the VisionTek Radeon HD 7750 SFF 1 GB GDDR 900549. Here is a link to the DELL accessory web page that lists the various accessories for a number of their computers.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...d=192261&chassisid=8341&tab=Parts&stype=2&p=1

I am not a gammer, but from what I have been able to read, the 755 makes a pretty good low end gaming machine. I use mine as part of a software defined radio system I have. It is not real graphic intensive, but it can eat up resources.

My system is also currently running VISTA 32 business. Along with the video card, I am awaiting arrival of a 64 bit copy of windows 8. I will upgrade it as soon as the software arrives. Also from what I have been reading on a number of forums, there may be some issues with going to windows 8.1 due to some possible hardware issues. The upgrade to win 8 required a more capable graphics card that what is currently in my machine.