Optiplex 720: highest-specc'd CPU for 65W cooler?

Question

Hi all,

this is similar to https://www.dell.com/community/Optiplex-Desktops/Optiplex-7020-MT-CPU-upgrade/td-p/6096863, where OP asks for the highest-specc'd CPU for a Dell Optiplex 7020 mini tower. The list of possible CPUs for that chip set is at https://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel_(chipsets)/Q87.html, which is a lot of CPUs.

Since the 95W coolers are either rare, or expensive, or both, on eBay, I'd like to follow that question up and ask: what is the highest-specc'd CPU out of that list that was certified for use with the 65W cooler back then?

Thanks!

bradthetechnut · Answer

There's a Dell XPS 720, but not an Optiplex 720. So I'm sure you meant 7020.

Optiplex 7020 Tech Guide

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If you did mean the XPS 720, please let us know and repost in that forum.

After you see the Tech Guide and/or the screengrab, please let us know if that changes your questions or if they're answered.

redxps630 · Answer

i7-4770, i7-4790, i5-4590 all have 84W TDP.

just get a generic Dell oem air cooler for XPS 8700 which is certified to cool the above three cpu if you have one of these.

rather than worrying about tdp, monitor your cpu temp and see if it works, assuming the mounting and thermal paste technique is correct. Dell factory often put a thick layer of thermal paste on cpu which is not correct.

bradthetechnut · Answer

You still have to watch which heatsink you get. As the 7020 can have 2 different heatsinks, one simply thicker than the other, I found the same for the XPS 8700.

See how the first 2 heatsinks are thicker than the 3rd one in the screengrab? So, if you upgrade to a 84w CPU, make sure you have the thicker heatsink if not already. Some eBay sellers are claiming the thinner heatsink is part # WDRTF, 0WDRTF, or CN-WDRTF, which is the part # for the thicker one.

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Optiplex Desktops

Optiplex 720: highest-specc'd CPU for 65W cooler?

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