T5500 CPU upgrade

Intel® Xeon® 5600 series processors up to six-cores, 6.4GT/s (Intel QuickPath Interconnect) and 12MB shared cache. Turbo Mode and HyperThreading technology on select processors. All processors are 64-bit, support Intel DBS (demand-based switching) andIntel VT (Intel Virtualization Technology). Note: Intel TXT is not supported.

Source:  Precision T5500 Spec Sheet.pdf

CPU's can be compared side by side at game-debate.com.  Computer builds can be checked and compared at userbenchmark.com.

So, if you don't think you're CPU is good enough, you can compare it with a CPU you're looking at to see if it's that much better.

The above might not be a final answer, but I think it's a good place to start.

The spec sheet also has a list of compatible GPU's.  But if you're looking at one not on the list (as your Precision goes a ways back), there's userbenchmark.

Hi bradthetechnut,

Thanks for your answer

I've already seen this docs. the most powerful CPU in 56xx series is X5680. However, its power consumtion is 130W (in my E5620 is 80W). I am not shure my MB is able to work with this CPU.

GPU is not a problem, I believe GTX 1060 will be ok :)

Hi @Caezar93 ,

Correction: The fastest processors in Westmere-EP family should be X5687(3.6 GHz) for quad core and X5690(3.47 GHz) for six core. Check this out: List of Intel Xeon microprocessors - Wikipedia

And here's what you need - UserBenchmark: Dell Precision WorkStation T5500 Compatible Components

You can see builds installed with those 130w CPUs. They should be fine with your T5500.

How can I tell if my T5500 is upgradeable? I read not all are..

Want to get new CPUs, video cards, and ssd

@Mindchamber it all depends on the current spec of the system that you have as that will determine which motherboard, graphics card and storage options you have.

The best way to check what motherboard you have is by going to the the support site www.dell.com/support and entering your service tag. You can then check the configuration of the system and it should give you a part number.

You want to cross reference the part number with the information provided by Justin in this post - https://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Dell-Precision-T5500-CPU-Upgrade/m-p/4475537/highlight/true#M967518

Once you have that info you then check the specification documentation here to see what processors work with your motherboard and then see what graphics cards are an upgrade to your current model - http://i.dell.com/sites/content/business/solutions/engineering-docs/en/Documents/Precision-T7500-T5500-Technical-Guide.pdf?prg=1&VEN1=12578053-9101479-v0304000114163f6303680fd24a418696ae9dcc6145f0&AID=9101479&cjevent=b1745977052e11ea817400320a1c0e11&dgc=CJ&DGSeg=DHS&cid=198375&lid=45846&acd=12309198375458460&VEN3=110405013081978313

What I will add though is that the system is now 10 years old and isn't certified for use with Windows 10. If you plan on installing Windows 7 on it, support officially ends for that operating system in January 2020. Were you considering running Linux on it?

Alan

What can I do if I have an E5506? Can I put a Xeon X5650?

My motherboard is 0D883F

Yes, the X56XX 6 core/12 thread processors will work in your system. I think the fastest Xeon you can go is the X5690 which runs at 3.4GHz which is what I have in my system but something you need to know when putting these higher wattage processors in your system is the heat they will generate. My motherboard mounted CPU was reaching temps of almost 90 deg Cent. and started throttling due to heat. Had to add and after-market cooler and additional fans to cool it down. Just an FYI - I just sold two matching X5650's on E-Bay for $20. You can find them pretty cheap. If you can spend a little more get the X5675 or better.  

Hi, I have a doubt, hope someone can help me, I have x5675 processor in my t5500 and Iwant to buy the riser board for the 2nd cpu, but I dont know What processor should I buy, is it OK to install an x56xx series Or an e55xx? Or What limitation do I have? Thanks in advance

Hello, Just wondering how your upgrade is going? I am in the middle of doing my T7500 now w Dual X5680's.  I know its late in the game but, It usually best to go with Matched Processors.  Have fun

Mook

Everything ok, I have 2 X5675 CPU so you must install the same CPU on the riser, and two 8gb Ram, 8gb in the socket one of the mother and 8gb in the socker 3 of the riser, I struggle with the configuration because it does not appear in the manual, so you have to play with these if its different the amount of Ram, but it worked when I put it on the 3rd socket of the riser, hope it helps

Hey guys, i was reading the last posts because i also might want to update my old T5500. At the moment it tuns with 2x E5520 on the 0D883F motherboard. from what i have read the maximum i could go are the x5690. Im a little worried about the wattage thought since the quadro m4000 also takes 140W + 2x 160W for the cpus?! Or am i still good here? I was also wondering if its posssible to upgrade to the 82WXT motherboard from the t7600 and 2x E5-2678W? Thanks in advance!! 

I will make you sad, but all the Nehalem series sudenly became not good for gaming (and even worse for computing).

Why? Spectre vulnerability. The patches, offered by MS and Intel(Intel distanced itself after the first attempt, saying it is too old) are literally killing these CPUs with constant overload.

Maybe, you are experiencing just that with your current CPU.

Then just try InSpectre.exe tool, and disable the MS part of the patch before upgrading. But beware, new viruses will exploit these vulnerabilities soon in mass. Avoid BIOS updates as well; they update CPU microcode.

Honestly, I would upgrade the GPU before you even think about swapping processors.  That pair of old Quadro 4000 cards are not doing you and favors eating 280W under load...  For that amount of power usage you could be running a single Geforce GTX 1080 ti and still only come in at 250W while running circles around those old Quadros.

On a side note to anyone worried about CPU heat dissipation... There are two heatsink options that came with the Precision T5500 and three for T7500 systems.

Dell PN: T021F - This is the small all aluminum heatsink that I would not recommend for anyone.
Dell PN: U016F - This is the medium size that came in most systems, heat pipe design that should be able to handle all of the supported CPUs

Dell PN: U402F - This is the large size for the T7500, It is as tall as the CPU shroud with a heat pipe design that will keep the temperatures cool on any compatible CPU.