What is Good upgrade from AMD Athlon II X3 425? (Inspiron 570 CPU)

eduardotaz

The following AMD processors are compatible with the Inspiron 570,

AMD Phenom X4 640,3.0G,512X4,4C
AMD Phenom X4,635,2.9G,512X4,4C
AMD Phenom X4 630,2.8G,512X4,4C,C3
AMD Phenom X4 630,2.8G,512KBX4,4C,C2
AMD Phenom X4 620,2.6G,512KBX4,4C,C2

AMD Phenom X3 425,2.7G,512KBX3,3C

AMD Phenom X2 550,3.1G,512X2,2C,C2
AMD Phenom X2,545,3.0G,512X2,2C,C2
AMD Phenom X2,255,3.1G,1MBX2,2C
AMD Phenom X2 250,3.0G,512KBx2,2C,C2
AMD Phenom X2 245, 2.9G, 512KBx2, 2C, C2
AMD Phenom X2 240, 2.8G, 512KBx2, 2C, C2
AMD Phenom X2,215,2.7G,512KBx2,2C

AMD Phenom 945,3.0G,512X4,4C,C3
AMD Phenom 945,3.0G,512X4KB,4C,C3
AMD Phenom 925, 2.8G, 512X4, 4C, C22
AMD Phenom 830,2.8G,512X4,4C,C3
AMD Phenom 820 2.8G,512X4KB,4C,C2
AMD Phenom 720,2.8G,512X3KB,3C,C2
AMD Phenom 435,2.9G,512X3KB,3C,C2
AMD Phenom 435 2.9G,512X3,3C,C3
AMD Sempron 140 2.7G,512K,1C,C2*
AMD Phenom II x4 945
AMD Athlon X4 645 *

Prior to installing the processor, check the latest BIOS version is installed.

Bev.

What fan would you recommend if i get the 965?

Ok, I found it, LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit:

Basically we need from this package only screws which suppose to fit (fitting of the screws not confirmed) Inspiron 570 motherboard has screw mounts and backplate, see below:

I found screws which fit motherboard, took Intel cooler and adopted to mobo, OCmusicjunkie removed backplate and placed cooler with Intel mounts (clips). The above option, if proven, will open the gate for many possible modifications.

This is OCmusicjunkie option, DeepCool IceEdge 400 XT:

He reported good results with this, mine a bit worse (but I was the FIRST). Remember, you cannot mount this just from the package, you have to use above mentioned kit screws, I hope they fit...

965 is 125 watt TDP compare to the rest which are 95 watt the hottest, so choices are limited. there are a few of them however mounting those choices are pain in the rear. There is one choice, I will look though my posts, which only 1 person reported trying long time ago, which might work, however cooling 965 due to the mounting issues is the PAIN.

Will that fan fit in the 570? it looks a bit big. I looked it up and there is a mini version.

This is 92 mm, will fit, also OCmusic junkie reported having this in his Inspiron 570, so it will fit, but remembewr the mounting headache. If you are ready for this, I would recommend to get LGA kit first and see if you can use it, otherwise it is very difficult to find the right screws, I did but it took me sometime to do so. Also, are you considering sticking in video card, or only processor?

I installed a new video card awhile back, an Asus GT 440 :)

When I have the cash I want to start my own build and get something like an GTX 560 Ti and maybe an 8 core CPU. But for now I'll just do some modifications to my Dell to hold me over. I'm a freelance Video editor and so far the the Dell has done surprisingly well.

I was wondering if I needed a new PSU as well? currently ,I only only have the stock 300W

PSU is a good question since except for processor, the rest of your components supported by 300 watt, processor is much stronger - 125 watt, this could create a difficulty, I am not sure, I will try to find wattage calculator a bit later, but the most difficult job here is to: 1. Get good cooler and be able to mount it and 2. Find 965 BE, supplies are limited.  

kisianik, I am also trying to choose what processor to upgrade to. I have narrowed it down to either the Phenom II X4 955 95w edition, or the Phenom II X4 965 BE 125w, which you currently are using. My question is, if we use the 965, why can't we just install a specific socket AM3 fan + heatsink that is sold by Compusa, newegg, etc.? Meaning why must we go through the pain of modifying an intel cooling system?

@ ASGTX- the headache with CPU upgrades for us i570 owners is that we have a motherboard with the mounting pattern for an Intel CPU cooler, but the socket for an AMD chip. All CPU coolers need to mount to the mobo somehow, and the screw pattern is different for an AMD cooler bracket. So, you'd have to basically make some crazy conversion adapter or attempt to drill through the motherboard to mount an AM3 bracket. Dell makes their systems so price competitive by trying to eliminate variables in the production process- sometimes that creates these quirks that just have to be lived with.

If you opt to go with the 955, you can find plenty of designs that fit the stock screw bracket and can handle 95w. The P985 from Dynatron was more than enough to keep my 95w X3 455 cool and was a literal 2-minute install. It's only a pain with the 965 because then you are trying to find a cooler that fits the three criteria of 1) cooling 125w of heat, 2) screwing properly into the factory bracket's threading, and 3) being under 6" tall or less as to fit inside our cases. I bet there are a dozen easy-installs if our case had about 1-2" more clearance from mobo to side panel. 

FYI, right now Amazon has the Phenom II X4 945 95w on sale for $99. That would be an easy choice were I looking to make the upgrade right now. 

@ ASGTX: as OCMusicJunkie mentioned, 945 requires pretty simple cooler upgrade and 3.0 Ghz vs. 965 3.4 Ghz, small difference. Me and OC went with 965 just because we wanted maximum from Inspiron 570, and Inspiron is not overcloakable, no matter how hard you try . Why you upgrading? Gaming or else? As OC mentioned, cooling 965 is a headache, however is possible! Also, 965 most likely the strongest processor Inspiron 570 BIOS would accept, don't go with 960, 970, 980 versions!

so i can run a phenom II x4 965 on my dell inspiron 570?

Yep. I've had mine running great for a few months. I have 5 fans running in my system to keep it cool and its pretty loud but I really don't mind. I sealed up the computer to properly create air flow and have 1 fan in the front drawing air in. I had to drill a couple holes in the front in order for the fan to be effective.  I also upgraded to a 500W power supply in order to be able to run all the fans and 2 hard drives, also to upgrade to a new video card when I want.

The whole heatsink fan screws/back plate thing will make sense once you get the heat sink fan that was recommended to me,The Deepcool one. Just take out the Mobo and carefully take off the back plate and your good to go.