Dell Optiplex 990 CPU Upgrade

I've seen this thread which talks more about PSU requirements (which I think shouldn't be an issue because I've upgraded to the 500w PSU) and then gets more into the weeds about it being not worth the cost due to how much the performance is boosted, etc.

This thread mentions that the system 'appears' to not support 3rd generation CPUs but that's not exactly a confirmation. This forum definitely helped me avoid making an error with my RAM, I knew that the system could only take a specific kind of RAM and made my purchase accordingly, worked out great and I definitely wouldn't have known without the advice here.

I'm just wondering if there is any confirmed reports of what the 'best' CPU is that the system could take, so I can judge if it's worth the upgrade or not.

Thanks!

Doesn't make a blind bit of difference if an application is supported by the hardware manufacturer: 7-Zip is compatible with all versions of Windows since XP (at least) and many other operating systems. The point being that the application "talks to" the hardware through the OS rather than directly. If the application is supported by the OS and the OS is supported by the hardware, you're good to go.

You are right !!!!!!!!!!!!

I downloaded it (not from dell) and it really works. Thanks.

hey I want  to ask can I put a diff motherboard in the dell OptiPlex 990  MT case I have one but I need a better motherboard with getting a whole new case

I'm just wondering if there is any confirmed reports of what the 'the best CPU' is that the system could take, so I can judge if it's worth the upgrade or not.

Assuming you can track down a position of safety GTX 1050 Ti, it will fit. The main concern would be the force supply. Despite the fact that the GTX 1050 Ti doesn't need outside power from the force supply you need to check whether the PSU meets the necessities. However, there is some adaptability with that. I'm as of now testing an EVGA GTX 1050 Ti on a Dell Optiplex i5-2400 mid-tower. The PSU is underneath 300W yet I need to twofold check. So far the card runs fine in this framework.

These kinds of Dell frameworks do utilize some exclusive parts, basically the fan headers and front board headers. In any case all else is well similar to the PCI-E openings, PSU motherboard connectors, RAM spaces, SATA ports, and so on Motherboard size-wise I think they observe the ATX guideline, particularly the mid-towers frameworks. I'll need to check my father's frameworks since he has a few SFF PCs. In any case, from what I've looked it appears to be that the SFF frameworks utilize a similar kind of motherboard, just packed into a more modest space. The USFF frameworks might be utilizing something different.

For value, it's intense. Assuming you can get an i7-2600 framework with essentially 8GB, $125 is a fair arrangement however I figure you could possibly improve. Most certainly look towards a mid-tower for the space. The Optiplex cost me about $93 and here's the posting. (Transferring screen capture rather than eBay post per rules, my unique post was taken out) I was then ready to discover a Xeon E3-1275 v1 CPU for $78 on eBay which will supplant the i5-2400. This CPU is practically identical to the i7-2600 (non-K). On the off chance that I sell the i5-2400 for about $30-$40, complete expense of the framework will come out to about $130-ish before the GPU. This incorporates the 8GB of RAM and the 1TB of capacity. The GPU was bought from EVGA's B-stock for $119.

"I'm just wondering if there is any confirmed reports of what the 'best' CPU is that the system could take, so I can judge if it's worth the upgrade or not."

Top listed CPU in the Optiplex 990 Tech Guide is the I7-2600.

@RossTheSauce 

Please press the blue Accept as Solution button below if this answers your question.

Top end cpu $200

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EBUXSU/

Better 4th Gen system with CPU more than 500 percent faster.

$120.  Why pay for less performance and 2009 technology when you can have 2012 technology that is many times faster for the same amount of money or LESS.  More than $200 less if you count the cost of Windows 10 License.

All of your parts from the 990 can be migrated to the T1700 and work fine EXCEPT The power supply which needs a $20 Adapter to work in the T1700.

Moddiy  PSU 24 Pin to 8 Pin Adapter Cable 

Generally have WIN8 Serial Number in BIOS or WIN7 PRO COA which can be used to install Windows 10 free.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133882753761

Optiplex 990 spec sheet 

Optiplex 990 socket LGA1155 socket.

Also note that the smaller sizes cannot use 95W cpus.

They must use the S or T series E.G.

I7  2600 is not ok @95W

I7 2600S is fine @65W

Intel CPU compatibility list:    Q77 Chipset

CPU choices for a 990.  Optiplex 990 Tech Guide p. 12.

The 990 supports specific processors.

Intel® 2nd Generation Core™ i7, i5, i3 Processors.
Intel vPro™ Technology available on select processors
ChipsetIntel® Q67 Express
Operating System Microsoft® Windows 7

MT (Mini Tower)
DT (Desktop)
MFF (Micro Form Factor)
SFF (Small Form Factor)
These models have no slots and Generally are Not upgradeable.
USFF (Ultra Small Form Factor)
AIO (All-in-One)

@RossTheSauce 

Please press the blue Accept as Solution if this post answers your question.

@bradthetechnut 

https://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-OptiPlex-990/578

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/38431983

4th Gen systems Like the X51 R2, Precision T1700, Inspiron 3847, Optiplex 9020, XPS 8700, Vostro 470 etc often cost LESS than the Core I7 2600 alone and work with newer UEFI video cards up to and including RTX 3060 with no issues. All of the models listed above share the same 4th Gen Socket 1150 and DDR3 ram which is why all parts from a 990 can migrate to them EXCEPT in some cases the power supply for T1700 and 9020 models. T1700 is best out of all of them because not only can it use Core I7 cpus it can use XEON processors, ECC Ram, and has Thunderbolt 2 Expansion option.

https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Intel-Core-i7-4790/Rating/2293

@speedstep  Good post.  But I think Win11 should be kept in mind.

Many good deals on used I7-2600's on eBay  https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=i7-2600&_trksid=p2380057.m4084.l1313.   Of course, a brand new I7-2600 makes a 9020 or T1700 a better deal.  But can they run Win11?

Plus, @RossTheSauce already upgraded PSU.  PSU upgrade or not, I7-2600 upgrade if one wants to do so doesn't cost much and can help save money toward a PC that can run Win11 later.

One other poster just wanted to know what the top confirmed CPU was.

This way, more options are presented.  Still a good post you did though.  I could never get userbenchmark to work for me.  Unless you're going in from Google, like I do with PC-Builds and checking bottleneck?

Edit:  I always have to correct typos due to floaties in the way in Android.

@bradthetechnut 

"I7-2600 upgrade if one wants to do so doesn't cost much" 

@RossTheSauce 

Please press the blue Accept as Solution button below if this answers your question.

I do not believe you can get I7 cpus for a reasonable price.   XEON E3 V3 series on the other hand works fine, is $35 or less  LGA1150 cpu that works in DDR3 motherboards including X51 R2, Optiplex 9020, Inspiron 3847, XPS 8300, Vostro 470 ETC.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=xeon+e3+V3&_sacat=0&_sop=15&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1

CPU's older than 4th Gen Haswell processors do not support INTEL PTT and therefore would not be applicable to windows 11.

The upgraded power supply works fine with Moddiy adapter for those units that require them.  Windows 10 is good till 2025 so that is also not an issue.

I think I7 cpus are over priced. The 4th gen haswell equivalents that do not have onboard INTEL GPU are a LOT cheaper but even those can be more expensive when you factor in the cost of ram etc.

So getting a model that uses DDR3 just like the 990 is the way to go.

You can sometimes get T1700 motherboard for $30 and migrate your cpu , ram, Power supply, HDD, etc from the 990.  Which is why a mini tower case and power supply is not a bad investment.  If you are going all out to use a new case then a few adapters are required including dfp19-TK adapters so you can use standard power button and front panel usb and audio. That means no more sensor errors Except the thermal sensor which must be migrated from SFF or DT case anyway.

P/N: 0PC5F7 / 0N4YC8 / 06X1TJ / 048DY8 / 073MMW / 0JVY7H

https://www.ebay.com/itm/163869487816

DFP19-TK allows you to connect standard PC case I/O headers to MT Dell Optiplex 7010, 9010, 7020, 9020 / Precision T1650, T1700, & 3620 motherboards as well as the front USB ports and audio jacks.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264733441811