Dell OptiPlex 745 Upgrade

Not worth buying anything to upgrade this model when you can buy a newer system WITH WINDOWS 10 for the same price as the OS Disk alone.

As it currently stands you could buy WINDOWS 10 and it would install and work but that would be a waste.

https://www.lambroinc.com/

https://www.lambroinc.com/desktops?lightbox=dataItem-k4a3aq4v

Once your OS is on an SSD, I doubt you'll have much chance to see slow.

Just a note: I'm sure I've seen it elsewhere also, but the top CPU (That I know of to work) in a Optiplex 745 is an Intel Q6700 Core 2 Quad. Mine is a 2.66 GHz. I know there is not much difference between Q6700 and a Q6600, but the main thing, is that it IS an option. My 745 came with a 3.0 GHz Pentium D, and the Quad is definitely a bit faster than the Pentium, but not by a great amount.

I did have to update the BIOS to the 2.6.4 version. ALSO NOTE! I tried everything I could to up date it to the last update after that, the "HEIDEN 2.6.6, but it WOULD NOT DO SO NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED. If you can get it to do so, then please pass it on. But the 2.6.4 BIOS will allow the CPU update to Q6700, and it is required, I tried to run the Quad with the original BIOS, and it wouldn't boot.

The main thing I have noticed is not so much extra speed, but the 4 core CPU doesn't run at max capacity most of the time. The dual core Pentium D tended to run at 50 to 90% load most of the time with several web pages, a music app, and or a video playing along with the occasional extra load dumped on there, now it tends to run about 20 to 60% across all of the 4 cores, with at least that load. Not so much FASTER, as it doesn't get bogged down as much. Also, that was running Linux Mint 19.2, now that I have just loaded Windows 10, it is running W-10 better than expected, and as soon as I can get upgraded to an SSD, it should be adequate for general computing use like email, browsing the web, you tube, music, office use etc. Not as fast as a new system, but quite fine as long as you don't expect it to run games above Quake III or Classic DOOM. 

Optiplex, slow maybe, but it'll run forever...

don't use win 10

newer desktops with win 10 are a nightmare.  i've had to deal with updates changing my print settings and network settings.  the updates sabotage your productivity if you turn off updates, they turn themselves back on

i've had to sit there with our receptionist staring at the hourglass while windows updates during business hours

i just purchased two win 7 keys.  win 7 will not update.  right now, that's the best feature of win 7

but no

install mx linux.  it's flawless.  comes with libreoffice.  do not purchase or install m.s. office

this isn't a m.s. bashing rampage.  i just focus on performance.  consider this: m.s. priority - to make money.  linux priority - to deliver an exceptional computing experience

if you want to play windows games, it is difficult to do this, but i've done it - build a ryzen 8 core 16 thread based system using m.2 ssd.  i have drivers for usb3, samsung ssd, and ryzen 2700 for win 7, and know where to purchase keys

@VAXN8R​   I know this is an old post, but I'm hoping:

I have an Opti 745 (SFF)  (Energizer Bunny!)  BIOS: 2.2.0 (03/09/07) Processor: Core2 Duo 6400 @2.13GHz

Memory: 4x1GB (533MHz)                        Recent upgrade: SanDisk SDSSDH3 (500GB) [replacing failing HDD]

OS: Win10(64bit) [used only for tax program] dual boot w/ Linux Mint 21.1 MATE (I'm not a 'Gamer')

You noted Inability to upgrade to BIOS 2.6.6 but able to flash 2.6.4

Did this enable UEFI/GPT? Can I 'Flash' through Linux, using 'Bootable' USB stick?

Disregard previous, BIOS is now 2.6.4

Had to boot Windows and work through. But done (to 2.6.4)

See no other indications, so I assume still 'Legacy'

BTW, the SSD really revived the 'Bunny'!