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Swapping motherboards in Dell Optiplex 390
Hello,
I have a Dell Optiplex 390 and I want to swap its motherboard for a Dell Optiplex 3010 motherboard.
If I only swap the motherboard but keep all the components the same (CPU, HDD, RAM), will Windows still work? I am running Windows 7 Pro.
Thank you.
ejn63
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June 18th, 2017 07:00
The answer to most of what you want to do is no.
The CPU can't be swapped between the two - the 390 uses second-gen CPUs; the 3010, third-gen. The memory may or may not be useable; it may be too slow.
While the hard drive can be swapped, Windows will need to be reloaded due to all the hardware differences between the two.
The two do not share a chassis, so it may not be a direct swap between the models.
zaydnavaz
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June 18th, 2017 09:00
The Optiplex 390 CPU works in the 3010. I have tried that...
Wouldn't there be a BIOS update for the 390 so that the 3010 CPUs could work in that?
Both use DDR3 so that is fine
Does the 390 support 3rd generation Ivy Bridge CPUs?
zaydnavaz
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June 18th, 2017 09:00
I already have a Core i5 3470 and it doesnt want to boot with the 390.
I think I need to update the BIOS
rdunnill
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June 18th, 2017 09:00
If you want a 3010, you can get one on eBay for $125.
rdunnill
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June 18th, 2017 09:00
I have a 390 and it won't POST with a 3225, even with the latest BIOS.
zaydnavaz
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June 18th, 2017 09:00
Ok that is not good.
That means that the only way of getting a core i5 is by getting a 2400
ejn63
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June 18th, 2017 11:00
The x90 Optis won't take Ivy Bridge CPUs, so yes - that's correct. The newer ones may take the older Sandy Bridge CPUs but the older systems won't take the newer CPUs.