SSD, then RAM, then CPU is the way to go. SSD will speed up PC the most, then you can decide if you still want more RAM, then I7 from there. Hard to see much difference going from quad to quad core, but if you're a gamer or PC is under heavy load regularly, then you'll notice more difference with CPU upgrade.
I didn't notice much difference going from dual to quad in previous PC. But SSD and adding RAM made it fly.
Make sure system is clean.
May be you're just due for a software reload? If you just bought the refurb, software should be fresh to begin with and system clean.
I would just let bios choose default settings (most bios have that option) and not play with it. If i5-3470 is too slow for you, run a userbenchmark on line and compare with others having same system configuration. It will tell you pretty quickly. If performing at average but subjectively slow to you, consider upgrade to i7 cpu, or max out memory in your system. Lastly, add an ssd if not already done. Your perception of slow pc may have nothing to do with bios core support, but what apps you run, and the other components mentioned above.
I almost forgot to mention - Crucial RAM is guaranteed to work in Dell's and come with a lifetime warranty, but is a little pricey. A-Tech RAM, the brand I use, also has a lifetime warranty. Avoid KVR (Kingston Value RAM), as this has caused problems in Dell's.
Thanks, @bradthetechnut I appreciate it. I just need to get a new PC for what I'm doing. It maxes out 4 cores at 100%+ for 8+ hours to build an android rom. lt takes 20 minutes to build an 18MB recovery.img. I have 16GB RAM and SSD but it gets jammed up at 4 cores. I haven't booted into windows to run userbench but hardinfo shows it solidly in the company of some Core 2 Quad CPU's and some AMD Phenom 8650 Triple-core's. When I bought it about 18 months ago, 4GB was recommended minimum. Now github sends a warning at brunch that 16GB is bare minimum and the 15.8 that I have may not build some components or the entire build may fail. But I don't believe ram upgrade would help. With todays programming and data inflation, if a $150 upgrade was the cure it would be short term. I mean for my use case it has grown from 4G to 16G minimum in a year and a half. I think I may build one as pre-builts get pricey when looking for 8~12 cores and 32~64GB RAM. Anything bigger than that I can't even look at. Hoping to catch some good deals on parts between now and the new year. It would be nice if Dell made a board that would fit in this case and handle 8 or more cores.
bradthetechnut
7 Technologist
•
9.4K Posts
0
November 15th, 2020 17:00
SSD, then RAM, then CPU is the way to go. SSD will speed up PC the most, then you can decide if you still want more RAM, then I7 from there. Hard to see much difference going from quad to quad core, but if you're a gamer or PC is under heavy load regularly, then you'll notice more difference with CPU upgrade.
I didn't notice much difference going from dual to quad in previous PC. But SSD and adding RAM made it fly.
Make sure system is clean.
May be you're just due for a software reload? If you just bought the refurb, software should be fresh to begin with and system clean.
redxps630
9 Legend
•
15.4K Posts
0
November 15th, 2020 09:00
I would just let bios choose default settings (most bios have that option) and not play with it. If i5-3470 is too slow for you, run a userbenchmark on line and compare with others having same system configuration. It will tell you pretty quickly. If performing at average but subjectively slow to you, consider upgrade to i7 cpu, or max out memory in your system. Lastly, add an ssd if not already done. Your perception of slow pc may have nothing to do with bios core support, but what apps you run, and the other components mentioned above.
bradthetechnut
7 Technologist
•
9.4K Posts
0
November 15th, 2020 19:00
I almost forgot to mention - Crucial RAM is guaranteed to work in Dell's and come with a lifetime warranty, but is a little pricey. A-Tech RAM, the brand I use, also has a lifetime warranty. Avoid KVR (Kingston Value RAM), as this has caused problems in Dell's.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
November 16th, 2020 01:00
There are no select number of cores bios settings.
You may need to reinstall windows in order to change the HAL to support more cores.
If you turn multi core off in bios only 1 core is used.
msconfig is not BIOS settings its windows settings.
msconfig > boot tab > Advanced Options - there is a box the has a checkmark and a box that show the number of cores the processor has.
It currently has the checkbox - Unchecked and the number of processors is indicating one.
if unchecked, windows will use the maximum number of cores that it can during the boot processes.
you only need to change this setting if you specifically know it is causing problems.
tek3195
10 Posts
0
November 16th, 2020 02:00
Thanks, @bradthetechnut I appreciate it. I just need to get a new PC for what I'm doing. It maxes out 4 cores at 100%+ for 8+ hours to build an android rom. lt takes 20 minutes to build an 18MB recovery.img. I have 16GB RAM and SSD but it gets jammed up at 4 cores. I haven't booted into windows to run userbench but hardinfo shows it solidly in the company of some Core 2 Quad CPU's and some AMD Phenom 8650 Triple-core's. When I bought it about 18 months ago, 4GB was recommended minimum. Now github sends a warning at brunch that 16GB is bare minimum and the 15.8 that I have may not build some components or the entire build may fail. But I don't believe ram upgrade would help. With todays programming and data inflation, if a $150 upgrade was the cure it would be short term. I mean for my use case it has grown from 4G to 16G minimum in a year and a half. I think I may build one as pre-builts get pricey when looking for 8~12 cores and 32~64GB RAM. Anything bigger than that I can't even look at. Hoping to catch some good deals on parts between now and the new year. It would be nice if Dell made a board that would fit in this case and handle 8 or more cores.
bradthetechnut
7 Technologist
•
9.4K Posts
0
November 19th, 2020 17:00
Hi @tek3195,
Something you might like: Optiplex 7080 Spec Sheet
Another suggestion is look at Dell Precision Workstations.