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June 16th, 2011 10:00
Optiplex GX620 SFF : Processor compatibility, Memory speed & Heatsink fixations.
Hello,
I've a good old OptiPlex GX620 Small Form Factor (Serial <ADMIN NOTE:Service tag removed per privacy policy>
) and I've a question about a possible processor's upgrade for it.
I've seen posts about the compatibility of Pentium D up to model 960 (since BIOS A10 if I understood well), but could the 955 (Extreme Edition) be an interesting alternative? Even if it'll be downclocked because its FSB being 1066 MHz...
My second question is about the memory speed on my GX620. According to "Small Form Factor Computer Specifications" inside the manual, this motherboard accept 533 and 667 MHz DDR2 modules, it means PC2-4200 and PC2-5300 modules. I currently have 2Go (2x1Go) of Crucial PC2-5300 installed, but the memory speed remains at 533 MHz. What's the problem with these? Does the motherboard (and then BIOS) not recognize these modules?
Could the BIOS be updated or modified to recognize these modules? Or even be push a bit faster to 800MHz (PC2-6400) as some other brands can do with same motherboard configuration. Is the GX620's BIOS based on an AMI, Award, or "Dell-only" BIOS? Is it possible to have the raw files of the BIOS instead of the downloadable all-in-one executable file (A11GX620.exe)? Of course, if I "investigate" on these files, or modify it, it'll be at my own risk.
And to finish, maybe an uncommon request, but I would like to adapt an alternative cooling system on the processor and build a custom fixation for it. So, is it possible to know the measures between the 4 holes surrounding the processor to fix the heatsink assembly and a part of the HDD assembly? And which type of screws is used? My motherboard is a 0PY423 model.
Manuals for my computer can be found here: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx620/
Thanks for your help, I hope to read you soon (and sorry for my bad English, not being my main language)
speedstep
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June 16th, 2011 10:00
The power Supply in the SFF may not be sufficient to use a 960.
Dell OptiPlex GX620 MT (305W PSU)
Intel Pentium D 960 3.6GHz
GX620 (BIOS A11)
Also changing to the 960 requires a better copper heatpipe heatsink not just a simple processor change.
Look at the 620 FAQ that deals with the 620 TOWER in the Mr Smith Case.
The following changes have been made to BIOS
1. Update SpeedStep functionality for some SpeedStep CPU's.
2. Improve key handling for password entry in SETUP.
3. Improve Eventlog interface in SETUP.
4. Added support for flashing BIOS under 64-bit OS's.
5. Handle possible errors when flashing BIOS from within Windows.
6. Slight performance improvement for some DDR2-400 configurations.
7. Improve SATA device initialization
8. Alter USB handoff-to-OS for better compatibility with many OS's.
9. Improve Slot map display in SETUP.
10. Add ability to disable FRONT USB ports.
11. Improved support for old ACPI-aware operating systems.
12. Enabled hard drive password support for SATA drives.
13. Disallow numerals for AM/PM field in setup Date-Time
14. Improved USB boot support.
15. Improve module bay device detection in ultra small form factor GX620
16. Updated SMBIOS tables to meet new specifications.
17. Limit dynamic video buffer size in low-memory systems.
18. Updated microcode for newer CPU steppings.
19. Improve PCI Express initialization and configuration.
Note the Huge Change in the Heatsink for the 960
Jukurpa
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June 16th, 2011 11:00
Thanks for your reply.
I currently have a SFF GX620, so, the PSU is given for even less than 305W, it's 275W in fact.
And the current heatsink is partially made of copper and "heatpiped", but far less impressive than the one on your picture.
So, if the 960 is the 130W, it's way higher than the current 650 (84W), but if I find a 95W version of the 960, maybe it could fit.
And for the heatsink capacity problem, as I mentionned, I'm planning to make modifications to the cooling system, so the heatsink will not be the major problem, but the PSU could...