OptiPlex GX280 CPU Upgrade

I agree with you. The CPU "should" work. I'm having the same problem with a 670. :smileymad:

I can accept outdated motherboard revision as a reason but not a blocking BIOS. I will check on this.

How can motherboard revision be checked ?

I´m sitting next to a Dimension 8400 that was delivered with a 670 cpu.....

The 670 seems to work fine on a 8400 (925x chipset). I read it's supposed to work on a 915 chipset too (i.e. GX280).

I don't think it's the BIOS thing either, although version 7 did say "added support for new CPUs" (I'm using version 8 so one would assume all that support from version 7 was in version 8).

Does anyone think clearing NVRAM/CMOS settings might work? I'm tempted to try it but I don't truly understand that that process does, but it seems to be a solution when there are hardware type issues like these.

I tried to backgrade BIOS with no luck. I agree with btc64; I can´t see why a motherboard manufacturer want to block a cpu support. If so, manufacturers RnD dept should shape up.....

I´ve also done the NVRAM (only pulled battery) thing with no luck.

Come on guys: any ideas ?

Thank´s btc64 for an exhaustive reply.

Do you think the Dim 8400 have the same issues ?

Will a Dim 8400 mobo fit into OptiPlex chassi ?

This is not an uncommon situation. I don't view it as "trying" to block CPUs. More a case of them not writing in compatability code at a time the mobo is released. For whatever reason, different renditions of motherboards for the same machines seem to have certain incompatibilities. I have a Dimension 8300 and there are similar issues. In researching this same issue I found those with HP machines having similar issues. That's where I learned about "microcodes" etc.

Right on Intel's site, they talk about this:

"When the jumper is set to configuration mode and the computer is powered-up, the BIOS compares the CPU version and the microcode version in the BIOS and reports if the two match" (speaking of the J9G2 jumper). That's why I thought resetting the CMOS/NVRAM might do something.

OK, they were talking about a different mobo, but I was hoping it meant something.

I can't help but think there is a GX280 mobo that will run the 670, hence why I'm trying to find out which one. After all, there are 9 different part numbers for the GX280 (SMT). With the Dimension 8300 there were only three motherboard versions. I did put in a PM to the one user on this site that seemed to make a 670 work on his GX280. I'm not holding my breath he'll respond given that he hasn't posted in almost 2 years.

I've scoured these boards. Doesn't seem to be a lot out there. You will find a lot of people offering their $0.02 of what "should" work without knowing for sure. I've learned to take a lot of the posts on this site with a grain of salt. if I had actually paid attention to some posts, I never would have put a 8300 mobo in a 8200 case because there were plenty of posts from people that hadn't even tried saying that it wasn't possible. :smileymad:

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@bjed wrote:

Thank´s btc64 for an exhaustive reply.

 

Do you think the Dim 8400 have the same issues ?

Will a Dim 8400 mobo fit into OptiPlex chassi ?

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Hi bjed

I have a D 8400 that is running the 670 and it works just fine the bios did not complain when

installed the 670 but the bios was updated to A09 before i ever bought the 670 

i can,t say if the old bios would let it work thou.

And i do not know if the 8400 board will fit in the OptiPlex.

Good Luck

I don't think the 8400 had the same issue. In the thread I started on a similar issue, the one guy had a 670 processor in his 8400 without any problems. The 8400 has the 925x chipset and the GX280 has the 915g. The 670 is theoretically supposed to work in both.

I can't see why the 8400 wouldn't fit in the GX280 case. All those Dell cases from that generation had similar dimensions and the 8400/GX280 came out at the same time, catering to different markets (Dimension for home, Opti for business). Pretty much the same way the GX270 and Dim 8300 are so similar (and the pieces all swap out with each other, been there done that). I considered going the route as well. I just don't want to do a complete OS/application reinstall as we've got some very specific applications loaded on the GX280 and they're a pain to get set up. I've heard a "repair" install of XP works in those situations where motherboards from different Dell models are swapped out but the user still wants to use their old HD as is.

I'm going to try and solve the GX280 thing before I go down that road.

EDIT: I see the "8400 guy" (C3PO) replied while I was composing this. :smileyvery-happy:

FWIW, I've come to the uneducated conclusion that the latest and greatest mobo for the GX280 (SMT) is the X7967/0x7967. I found an eBay seller that has them and lots of them. They also seem to be available at many sources on the web and there doesn't seem to ANY mention of this board on these forums. Given all the "bulging caps" controversy. I'm on the opinion that this is the board that is being used to replace all the boards that went bad.

I'm going to be a guinea pig and try one out. If worse comes to worst, I'll have one around the office for a spare part (the CEO and I both use the GX280 so it can't hurt to have one or two extra motherboards around as they just went off warranty and they're more than meeting our needs).

Stay tuned as I try the board out in a week or so.

(X-posted to tha other thread I'm involved in trying to solve the "Incompatible processor" issue).