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4409
CPU upgrade
Hello,
I just bought a optiplex 990 with i3-2120 LGA 1155 cpu.
Motherboard has two sets of numbers.
1st one is: E93839
2nd one is: KA0121
Don't know which is motherboard is ID.
Took a chance and bought a i7-2600 LGA 1155 cpu on offer up.
I will be installing Windows 10 Home bought from ebay with new product key.
My question to you are:
1) Is that i7 compatible with that motherboard? I know it fits socket but I read some cpu's might still not be compatible.
2) Do I need to update BIOS and where can I find that update?
3) If question 1 and 2 are ok to go. Do I install new cpu first then new Windows 10 or vice versa?
4) Anything else you could think of I should know?
Thanks
redxps630
7 Technologist
7 Technologist
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10.4K Posts
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December 27th, 2020 21:00
Re:
1) Is that i7 compatible with that motherboard? I know it fits socket but I read some cpu's might still not be compatible.
i7-2600 is a standard Intel 2nd gen cpu and is supported by optiplex 990 regardless of motherboard DP/N.
2) Do I need to update BIOS and where can I find that update?
no, you do not need to update bios. given age of pc better not taking risk of flashing bios unless there is strong good reason.
3) If question 1 and 2 are ok to go. Do I install new cpu first then new Windows 10 or vice versa?
you should first boot pc with current i3 and make sure it posts well. This will confirm all other hardware are in working condition. Then you can swap i3 for i7. Power on to verify pc still posts well. Only then you can install Windows 10. This is analogous to building a house. First making sure foundation is solid before architecting upper high level structures.
4) Anything else you could think of I should know?
you do not need more than 16Gb for gaming. 32 gb ram is more than enough. A sata ssd will help booting faster. Optiplex 990 top cpu is i7-2600. No need to consider -k cpu because Dell bios doesn’t let you overclock. When you consider gpu upgrade for gaming, also consider upgrading stock psu.
gealday
5 Posts
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December 27th, 2020 19:00
Sorry everyone
I found my motherboard # CN-06D7TR
My apologies
gealday
5 Posts
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December 27th, 2020 19:00
I forgot a few question and info.
My 990 is a MT.
I want to use this PC for DCS World.
I am going max out RAM 32mb. What kind of RAM do you recommend?
Getting new power supply. What do you recommend?
What kind of GPU for that new CPU and RAM do you recommend?
Thanks again!
redxps630
7 Technologist
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10.4K Posts
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December 27th, 2020 22:00
Re: I found my motherboard # CN-06D7TR
to give you reassurance of i7-2600 working with this board, http://valid.x86.fr/06sjpu.
redxps630
7 Technologist
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10.4K Posts
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December 27th, 2020 22:00
Re:
I want to use this PC for DCS World.
I am going max out RAM 32mb. What kind of RAM do you recommend?
Getting new power supply. What do you recommend?
What kind of GPU for that new CPU and RAM do you recommend?
Get 4x 4GB DDR3-10600 1333 MHz. Any matched sticks from big name brand (Samsung, crucial, Hynix etc.) are okay. No need to go fancy here.
DCS world requires gpu: GeForce GTX780 / ATI R9 290 DirectX11 or better.
get a GTX 970 blower type (it is about same price as 780) which is slightly faster and newer than 780, and lot more power efficient. You do not want to install a high TDP gpu such as 780 or R9 290 in optiplex which is not designed to handle big heat load in case. It has no front in take fan, only a back fan. For even newer gpu, get a GTX 1060. For GTX 970 get a 500W psu with two 6 pin, for GTX 1060, get a 400W psu with one 6 pin.
gealday
5 Posts
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December 28th, 2020 18:00
Thank you! Now I could start my build.
gealday
5 Posts
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December 29th, 2020 02:00
Can I use 1600mhz ram instead of 1333mhz?
bradthetechnut
6 Professor
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December 29th, 2020 18:00
A-Tech RAM is also good and has a lifetime warranty. If you install 1600Mhz RAM, it will still operate at 1333Mhz in the 990.
Optiplex 990 Tech Guide