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11 Posts
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12548
November 8th, 2008 01:00
Noobie Needs help upgrading Dimension E520
Hi Gang,
Well this is my first time on ...so here goes nothing.
I purchased my Dell Dimension E520 about a year and a half ago and have not had any problems with the PC....aside from the customer service first experienced ...but that's another story.
My E4300 Duo Core processors @ 1.8 and 1.79 GHZ respectively are rapidly expiring and are now at the bottom level of most system requirements for gaming. Everything else is cool for now...video card and RAM.
I was thinking of upgrading the CPU, if I can.....any suggestions on what CPU goes with my motherboard....I have checked out some of the posts on here and I have read the Quad - Q6600 is compatible with my motherboard.Dell tech' support have suggested not messing with the CPU...as this voids the warrantly, and were really little help.
My biggest concern is if I upgrade the CPU whether the system will recognise the upgrade or will the BIOS restrict the upgrade?
People have also suggested upgrading the BIOS ...what the heck does that mean? I wouldn't even know where to begin?
Here are my system specs....look forward to any feedback anyone has......
| Operating System |
|
| Feature |
Details |
| Operating System |
Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium |
| Patch Level |
Service Pack 1 |
| Hardware |
|
| Feature |
Details |
| PC Manufacturer |
Dell Inc. |
| Model |
Dell DM061 |
| Motherboard Manufacturer |
Dell Inc. |
| Product |
0WG864 -Motherboard |
| Processor |
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 4300 @ 1.80GHz |
| Version |
x64 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 2 |
| Data Width |
64bits |
| L2 Cache Size |
2,048Kb |
| Approximate Clock Speed |
1,795Mhz |
| BIOS |
Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 2.2.1 |
| Memory Chip |
DIMM_1 |
| Capacity |
1,024Mb |
| Speed |
667ns |
| Memory Chip |
DIMM_3 |
| Capacity |
1,024Mb |
| Speed |
667ns |
| Memory Chip |
DIMM_2 |
| Capacity |
1,024Mb |
| Speed |
667ns |
| Memory Chip |
DIMM_4 |
| Capacity |
1,024Mb |
| Speed |
667ns |
| Motherboard Device |
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 |
| Motherboard Device |
Intel Pro 1000 MT Network Connection |
| Status |
On |
| Motherboard Device |
Intel(R) High Definition Audio Controller |
| Video Card |
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT |
| RAM |
512Mb |
| Mode |
1680 x 1050 x 4294967296 colors |
| Driver |
nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll |
| Date |
17/09/2008 |
| Version |
7.15.11.7813 |
| Hard Disk Model |
ST3250820AS |
| Interface |
SCSI |
| Network Adapter |
Intel(R) 82562V 10/100 Platform LAN Connect |
| Service Name |
e1express |
| Sound Manufacturer |
SigmaTel |
| Model |
SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC |
dkleeman
12 Posts
0
November 8th, 2008 13:00
Generally speaking, you would be better off leaving the processor untouched, IMHO. There are large gaming performance gains you can make by upgrading the graphics. Apart from the warranty issue, it is relatively harder upgrade to do and may not be as noticeable as you think.
Daniel
yarddog983
58 Posts
0
November 8th, 2008 17:00
I guarantee you will see an increase in speed with the Q6600 or the E6600 for that matter. I see in your specs that you have an 8800 GT Video card in your PC. That is a good card and right now the CPU is the bottleneck in your gaming performance.
Also, I see your BIOS version is 2.2.1. You will need the updated BIOS version 2.4.0 before you attempt the upgrade. Once this is done and you install the processor it will auto-detect and will fly.
Download the new BIOS here;
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R157196&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_E520&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=308&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=8&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=1&fileid=209822
Follow instructions to install.
dcgtls
2 Intern
•
940 Posts
0
November 10th, 2008 10:00
It is a very easy upgrade to do. Just make sure to clean the thermal grease from the heatsink and buy a good silver thermal grease like Arctic Silver for about $5.
Here is the service manual for the E520.
This will give you step by step instruction on removing and replacing the CPU with nice pictures.
Upgrade to the most current Bios.
As for your warranty, this will not void it, they will just not cover the CPU or any damage you cause in the proccess of upgrading. If you do not do alot of multi tasking just go with the E6600 it is a good chip and may saver you a few dollars over the Q6600. I have two systems at home that I upgraded to the Q6600 with no issues at all, I went with the Quad because we do alot of multi tasking. Gaming at the same time as video editing and such.