Dell Inspiron 531 cpu upgrade

 Brettalley

These processors are compatible with the Inspiron 531.

Athlon 64 X2 5400+ 2.7Ghz 65W Brisbane
Athlon 64 X2 5600+ 2.8Ghz 89W Windsor
Athlon 64 X2 5600+ 2.9Ghz 65W Brisbane
Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.0Ghz 89W Windsor
Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.1Ghz 89W Brisbane

As are the following.

Athlon 64 X2 4050e 2.1Ghz 45W Brisbane
Athlon 64 X2 4450e 2.3Ghz 45W Brisbane

Prior to upgrading the processor, you need to upgrade the BIOS to the latest version.

Bev.

Thank you Bev, that 6000+ brisbane looks very nice.

Hope the bios update works for me.

Bret

Brettalley

You are welcome.

Before update the BIOS, check which version that's installed in your 531, the latest version is1.0.13 when the support for newer processors was added.

Before installing read the instructions carefully and don't use Dell's download Manager, choose 'Download Using My Browser' when selecting the file to download.

Bev.

If you happen to have BIOS version 1.0.12 you don't need to upgrade for a 6000+ Brisbane.  Anyway the 6000+ Brisbane is a good upgrade.  I'm running it in two of my Inspiron 531"s.

Thankyou bev and jsktx :)  i only have bios ver. 1.0.3 so looks like i must mess with the bios if i want to upgrade. I have a few bids on ebay and it looks like it should only cost $50-$100 for the 6000+ bris, real nice for a 2.3GHz to 3.1GHz upgrade. I'll do the bios when i have cpu in hand. also hey,hows that cpu do with stock cooler?

thanks again guys :)

Bret

Brettalley

You are welcome and good luck with the upgrade.

The default heatsink should be fine, remember to clean the base of the heatsink and reapply the thermal compound.

Bev.

Question MY 531 came with a sempron LE-1300 2.3g processor. Will it still accept the 6000+ dualcore swap or am I stuck in the single core world? I allready have the latest bios update so can I just get a dual core 6000+ (89W of corse) and stick her in and be good to go ???? Also beings mine is in a full size case NOT the slim case would I be better off with an aftermarket cooler or is the stock cooler going to be enuff? I do do a bit of gamming on it so I don't want to kill the new chip. Is the PSU going to be able to handle the bigger TDP? going from 45W to 89W? sorry about all the questions but I'm still learning :)

Chuck

You can install just about any Athlon 64 X2 in your 531.  Just stay away from 125W processors.  No Athlon II's or quad's will work.  As for the heatsink, if you have a very short heatsink (some 531 with Sempron's come with these) then try to purchase a CPU that comes with a heatsink/fan.  OEM CPUs do not come with heatsinks.  Otherwise you'll have to purchase an aftermarket heatsink/fan.  Just be sure to get one with a 4-pin connection.

A good choice right now is either the 5600+ 2.9Ghz or the 5800+ 3.0Ghz Brisbanes.  Both of these are fairly available and would give you a noticable improvement.  Another option, if you can find one, is the 6000+ 3.1Ghz Brisbane, but this one is pretty hard to find.  Stay away from the 6000+ 3.0Ghz 125W Windsor.  Since you game this one would be a bad choice, it produces to much heat and your existing heatsink/fan no matter what size wouldn't support it.

Thanx for the fast reply JSKTX I was going to ask if I can use a 6400+ black eddition but I noticed in your sigline that you are running it . the one I was looking at is 125W ? you said to stay away from them how do you keep your's cool ? I liked the idea of getting almost a fill gig of upgrade so if it's possible can you share the seacreat?? I don't mind getting inside if I need to even doing a bit of modding if it's needed so teach me please:) wanting to get as much out of her as I can ! ! !  I also noticed that I'm not seeing all of the 4 gig's of ram I have installed? Is there a reason  Belarc only see's 3520 mb???

Thanx in advance,

Chuck

I use it because I only surf the internet and check email.  I don't game or do any processor intense stuff.  That's my secret for using the 6400+.   As for your memory, you are most likely running a 32bit OS.  Because of this you will only see between 3.2 to 3.5 as usable memory.  If you want to use all you have to be running a 64bit OS.

I bought the Brisbane 6000+ & I have the bios v1.0.13 in my 531. When I install it I can't get past POST. At first I thought it was DOA so I tried it in a friends PC (an HP) & it worked perfect! Any suggestions?

Couple things to try.  First reset the BIOS by removing the CMOS battery for about 10 minutes.  Instructions for removing the battery is HERE

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

.  If that doesn't work put the old processor back in boot to Windows.  In Device Manager delete the processor and shut down.  Put the new processor in and boot.  Hopefully this time it will boot into Windows and install the appropriate drivers for the new processor.

Still no dice. And furthermore, now pc is freezing at the dell splash screen.

Since both CPUs don't work and you tried reseting the BIOS, I suspect you have a corrupt BIOS.  Did you recently flash the BIOS?  If so, it could be corrupt and the only option now is to replace the motherboard.