Dell Dimension 9200 MAX UPGRADE

Thank you for your help, now that I know that I can install a 500w PSU, can I install a Intel Core Quad E8400? It is a LGA 775 processor, and since my Dell motherboard has a LGA 775 try, will I be able to install this processor without any problems? If not, what is THE best processor I CAN install on my Dimension 9200?

Hi Azee

I recently updated my Dimension with a Core 2 Quad Q6700 and it worked immediately with no problems.

Looking at the benchmark site -

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

it would look like this processor has a better benchmark score than the E8400 and is a straight swap with the old cpu. Just to be sure my motherboard is an 0WG855 and the socket is 775 lga. If you are unsure of your motherboard then try CPU-Z software off the internet to confirm. It's reasonably cheap too (£35 ish on ebay)

Ok thank you so much for the help, just a question, is this processor over clock able? otherwise thank you very much for the information you have provided.

A quick scan on google would suggest that it can be overclocked. I've not tried this and it sounds like it can go badly wrong if you are not careful. If its just for fun and it doesn't matter if it all goes wrong then why not try it. If on the other hand you are trying to wring every last bit of performance out of your Pc because your budget wont stretch to a new one then the risk v's reward is probably not worth it..  

I own a Dimension 9200 and I have a QX6800 processor in it. This is the fastest possible, faster than the Q6700 (which is usually stated on here, erroneously, as being the best CPU upgrade for this PC). I did not upgrade the cooling.

I have tried the overclock as per the details that can easily be found googling 'Dimension 9200 overclock' (or similar). It does work in the sense that CPU-Z etc report changes in the FSB. However, I did not find the overclock stable at all. With a VERY small overclock (which, to me, but brought no appreciable benefits though I didn't benchmark it) it was stable, but anything beyond that the system was unstable, would lock up or restart when the CPU was put under any kind of load.

By contrast, I have put the CPU under stress tests, even overnight, without an overclock, and it did not hang up or lock up - it was fine.

Telling people that they can put a Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processor QX6800 (8M Cache, 2.93 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB) cpu in without S spec ,Bios version and Motherboard part number is irresponsible.   Not all dells stick with one model number or revision board let alone one bios etc.   Adding cpus that draw too much current can kill the onboard motherboard voltage regulators and lead to cpu death and fire.

SL9UK and SLACP seem to be the official Spec for that cpu. Current bios seems to be Dell Dimension System BIOS, 2.5.3 View details

I would take it as read that anyone would want to upgrade their BIOS to the latest version before installing a new CPU. Yes, you do need to upgrade to the latest version which is 2.5.3.

Fwiw my QX6800 is the SLACP model (G0 step).

There are multiple reports from these Dell forums, and other forums on the web, that the QX6800 works in the Dimension 9200. I don't believe there are any reports of it not working.

I confirm the Intel QX6800 works fine on Dell Dimension 9200 with BIOS 2.5.3. The most important thing is to calculate the full power consumption of your configuration to check if the power supply (original or not) is strong enough.

I have a Dell Dimension 9200 upgraded as follow :
-    Original Power Supply (375 W)
-    CPU Intel QX6800 SLACP G0 step (BIOS 2.5.3) with original cooling unit (with Artic Silver 5 thermal grease)
-    RAM 8 Go RAM
-    1 Graphic card MSI R5770 Hawk overclocked 10% at 970 MHz (AMD Radeon HD5770 based)
-    1 SSD Samsung 850 EVO 120 Go for OS Windows 7 Pro x64
-    2 HDD Western Digital 1 To/7200 rpm RAID1
-    2 DVD burners

This configuration works fine and is very stable. I have calculated the full power consumption with manufacturers technical specifications before upgrading (is about 340 W at full load for me). Dell does not support Intel QX6800 only because original power supply 375 W is not strong enough for a large configuration range with this CPU (some graphic cards uses more than 200 W and you can have some other integrated devices with high power consumption). Keep in mind that manufacturers have to guaranty a large configuration range.

With my configuration I have monitored the CPU temperature at full load for 20 minutes (100 %) and it never goes over 63 °C with an ambiant temperature of 22 °C. With no load the CPU temperature is about 40 °C.

Hi astra2k!

I've got the Dell Dimension 9200, and I'm pretty much all set on buying either the Q6700 or the QX6800 for my Dell. However, finding compatible RAM is the issue. Is there anywhere specifically that you bought your 8gb of RAM (e.g., eBay, Newegg, Amazon, etc.) and did you install it in 4x2GB sticks?

Thanks again,

Jude

I bought 4x2GB RAM sticks at "LDLC.com" but you can find it on "Amazon" :

Corsair Value Select 2 Go DDR2 667 MHz

RAM DDR2 PC5300 - VS2GB667D2 (garantie 10 ans par Corsair)

My 2 cents from my recent experience.

My Dimension 9200 died of BSOD about 2 weeks ago. Went to an IT shop, they checked with new devices (RAM, cards etc) and later said faulty motherboard. I could get a new motherboard but the question at the back of my mind was, what else would fail next? Furthermore, I have been using this VISTA and Pentium duo CPU for the past 10 years. Time for me to upgrade to a new faster and more powerful PC. So bought an Inspiron 3650. Faster than my old PC and with tons more GB space!

If it is just for your technical journey in upgrading the Dimension 9200, go ahead. If not, better get a new and better PC. Worth the extra few $$$.