**Vanity** Computer Help

Me | 02/17/2014 | Me

[Zeneta]

OK.

I'm trying to figure out if I can upgrade my Dell optiplex 740, to a "Dual-core" processor.

I read on Dell's "community boards" that it might be possible. I'd like to know for sure and what it would take.

What processor, make model etc..?

Is it a function of just popping out the old chip and installing the new one ?

I'm trying to keep the cost as low as possible, so I'm willing to purchase a used machine to get the right processor if that makes sense.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

System Information ------------------ Time of this report: 2/11/2014, 09:27:03 Machine name: ******** Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_qfe.130704-0421) Language: English (Regional Setting: English) System Manufacturer: Dell Inc. System Model: OptiPlex 740 Enhanced BIOS: )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) Processor 1640B, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.7GHz Memory: 3326MB RAM Page File: 964MB used, 4245MB available Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904) DX Setup Parameters: Not found DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

[TomGuy]

I intially had the audio problem with Skype.

It seemed to start up with the computer audio on MUTE.

Check to make sure Skype has not defaulted your audio to MUTE.

[GeronL]

You might need to check your audio drivers, but check the Skype audio settings first.

[Zeneta]

I did some work (temporary) back in 2011 on the same machine.

IIRC, I ran two programs, neither required a download/install.

I think they ran on a VPN.

They may have upgraded things on their end.

[Segovia]

Holy crap! Scary photo; looks like the puter lab at school in the seventies!

[Ray76]

Any chance you could try things out with your current setup? If it doesn’t work or perform adequately then I’d just go with a new machine just for the no-hassle factor, but that’s just me.

[drunknsage]

BTW Im dumb and didn’t finish reading your post. Disregard what I said earlier as that system is not intel

That system actually may have some life left in it since it runs AMD processors. I believe there is a bios update for it that adds support for some of the dual and quad core AMD phenom processors. If you live in the Houston area, I have one in my garage you can have.

My mediaserver has a very old Asus motherboard that received new life with a processor upgrade. It’s currently running a 6 core CPU, despite it being old. AMD socket AM2, AM2+, and AM3 motherboards are somewhat cross compatible, meaning you can stick an AM3 processor in a socket AM2 motherboard. The key is whether the motherboard manufacturer updated the bios to allow for this. I believe dell has an “enhanced” bios for the OptiPlex 740. With Dell’s its a matter of downloading the file and launching the application.

If you lived close, in the Houston area, I would gladly hand you an older AMD cpu I have sitting here collecting dust. It’s an AMD Athlon64 X2 5000+ 2.6Ghz CPU. I found some on ebay for like $15

When installing and removing these, you have to be very careful not to bend the pins. As long you are gentle, it’s not a big deal.

[gura]

Processor anymore is the last thing to upgrade. Want to make it fast? Put in 8BG of RAM, an SSD, and a new video card.

[Kirkwood]

Buy a CPU and Motherboard combo kit and put them in your old box. You can get some good bargains if you shop around. You can buy the MB and CPU separately as well, but if you buy them as a kit you know they will work together and you’ll have all the documentation and parts.

[gura]

[woodenickel]

Here

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=111269471275&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

[MistrX]

My wife bought a Dell tablet a few years ago.
It was a lemon.
I spent literally 30 hours on the phone talking to their “help” line some where in Itzlobamizad.
“Please to reboot your computer.”
After many, many calls, they sent a technician to her office who replaced her display.
Still no good. Many calls later, they finally admitted she had a lemon.
This took six weeks.
The darned thing still never worked right.
She bought a Mac.
She is now happy.
I know they are spendy, but they work.

[bytesmith]

Holy crap! Scary photo; looks like the puter lab at school in the seventies!

---

Looks like the computer installation I supported at an IBM company installation in the 70s. Some good times.

[gura]

Needs at least another 2GB of RAM unless you’re going to run linux.

[norwaypinesavage]

I did what you described. I first went to the Dell website, and entered the proper model number to get the exact system specifications. It told me that a dual processor would work in the motherboard. If the model and maintenance code labels are no longer on the outside, you can read the information in the BIOS.

The problem though, was that after I installed the new processor (I bought it on eBay for less than 20 bucks) I could detect no difference in speed of the machine on the things I did. They were mostly Excel, Word, AutoCAD, and browsing.

[publius911]

Please excuse the controlling twits who either fail to understand the question, or have a character flaw that compels them at every opportunity to prove how intelligent and knowledgeable they are.
And every one of them will never be able to utter the words, "I don't know."

As for your question, most PC computers are designed around one, or a limited number of microprocessors. This is true of both the sockets they must fit into, as well as the few or many supporting chips on any specific motherboard.
Even different "builds" of the same motherboard may not accept the same new chips after they are upgraded. Even experts in computer circuitry and design can need days to determine IF a change like you propose for any specific model is possible, or not.

It is possible to get an answer, but paying an expect to provide it would cost more than buying the newer chip in the proper motherboard it was designed for, even if the answer is, "no, it isn't possible."

[Zeneta]

As for your question, most PC computers are designed around one, or a limited number of microprocessors. This is true of both the sockets they must fit into, as well as the few or many supporting chips on any specific motherboard. Even different "builds" of the same motherboard may not accept the same new chips after they are upgraded. Even experts in computer circuitry and design can need days to determine IF a change like you propose for any specific model is possible, or not.

This is what I expected.

From what I can tell, so far. My MB supports a dual core. I can get that chip for $15 on Ebay. I would however, like to know "FOR SURE" that it will work. I suppose $15 for trial and error is pretty cheap. But if I get the wrong "dual-core" for this trial/error, I'll end up spending the dollars on a new machine that I would otherwise not need to spend.

Thanks for your feedback.

[dangerdoc]

There are a lot of computers collecting dust, check Good Will and Craigs list, you may find an assembled computer with the specs you want for less than the cost of a CPU.

[Defiant]

$278 for a nice, new desktop computer. I've seen decent desktops under $200 at times, way more cost effective than trying to breathe life into an old dinosaur.

You can also buy something that is a year or two old on Craigslist for less than that. If you go that route, they usually throw in the monitor and keyboard for a package deal, and it saves a lot of money.

Want a laptop? There's a 15 inch Toshiba for $288 on this page. I've seen dual cores in the $250 range at times, below $200 at Christmas. If you are using a Dell that old, this one will seem like a beast.

After you have your new computer, find a use for your old one here.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Certainly a Pentium D won’t work with his motherboard. Besides they run way to hot. ;-)

[Abby4116]

I don't know if a CPU change will prompt a validation error for your Windows XP (I changed a dvd rom once and had to call microsoft for a new validation code) but that is something else you have to consider. Remember, they are giving up support of XP this year too.

A person posted the Newegg system with Windows 7 that sounds like a much better deal.