Legit Reviews

I know its not a new technology but I'm getting a Dell OptiPlex 755 SFF in about 2 weeks which has an Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 and I would ultimately like to stick in an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400.

I've been told its not worth it but that doesn't really bother me.

Thanks in advance

Believe it or not the C2Q is still a decent processor. If you can find the CPU for cheap then I say go with it. But, isn't there always one of those?

1) Check for an updated BIOS for the Dell before you put in the new CPU.
2) Dell uses the bare minimum to keep the CPU cool. Keep an eye on your temps if you drop in a new CPU.
Programs you can use: HWiNFO, AIDA64 (not free), Open Hardware Monitor, Speedfan, HWMonitor, etc...
3) According to the generic listing on Dell that PC comes with a 220W power supply. This might be fine for a dual core CPU but the quad core is going to pull more juice. So you may have upgrade the PSU too.

Another alternative is to go the AMD Phenom II X4 route. The Phenom II X4 is still a better performing CPU than the Bulldozer line and they can be had for pretty cheap.

This may help shed some light. Not sure it will be worth it in my opinion

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/pr ... hspecs.pdf

This thread on Dell shows a few more but not the cpu you're looking at getting

http://en.community.dell.com/support-fo ... 12475.aspx

Their power supplies are proprietary alot of the time too, especially on their small form factor cases. You may not be able to upgrade much on a power supply on that model.

The issue you might run into is lithography compatibility. With a chipset that old, Dell may not have issued a BIOS update to support 45nm CPUs, which the CPU you want to upgrade to is. You're currently running 65nm.

Being that the quad you want is 45nm, power requirements are more than likely equal to or a tad less than the CPU you have now, so that's not a concern. Make 100% certain Dell's most recent BIOS update for that board supports 45nm CPUs.