OptiPlex XE CPU upgrade

Question

What's the fastest dual-core and quad-core CPU the OptiPlex XE SFF can handle with the stock heat sink and stock PSU? Motherboard: 01KD4V, Q45 Express PSU: 280 watt The Dell Technical Guidebook lists E7400 dual-core as the fastest compatible CPU (no quad-cores) but I see many listings on eBay for OptiPlex XE's with E8400 CPU's. That leads me to believe that the newest BIOS (A05) supports CPU's with 1333 MHz FSB. I'm looking at the E8600 and Q9650 CPU's in particular. I also see that the Q9550S is rated at 65 watts. I would like to know if any of these three CPU's can be used without temperature or power issues as well as the E8400. Thanks for reading! Cheers, Jeff

DELL-Chris M · Accepted Answer

The E8600, Q9550S, and Q9650 were not tested by Dell on this model. I can show you what the Dell tested parts page list for this model =

4HF4Y Wolfdale E5300, 2.60GHz, 2MB, 65W, R0
38G73 Wolfdale E7400, 2.80GHz, 3MB, WFD, R0
H399J Wolfdale E8400, 3.00GHz, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, E0
N1MFN Xeon Westmere X5650, 2.66/6.4GHz, 12MB, 95W, 6C

The latest Bios A05 (OXE-A05.EXE) only mentions as a fix, "Support Windows Signing function". It does not mention fixes for other supported CPUs.

jeffshead · Answer

Thanks Chris!

Since I already ordered the Q9650, I tried it anyway. The cores reach 84C within three minutes of starting the Prime95 stress test and 94C within another minute so it's a no-go I'm thinking any 95watt CPU is going to run too hot for the XE.

Since the E8400 dual core CPU's are dirt cheap on eBay, I ordered one and it runs just fine in the XE.

I have an OptiPlex 780 I'm going to try the Q9650 in, next. Luckily, I was able to find/order an OEM copper heatsink with tubes for the 780 that will hopefully keep the temps down.

H3LLC47 · Answer

Sorry that i'm bumping an old topic, but does that say that the Optiplex XE supports a 6-core CPU ?!. All the other CPU's are dual core, how would it be able to handle a 6-core ?

H3LLC47 · Answer

Sorry for bumping such an old post, but when i see the last CPU on the list it's a 6-core CPU. Can this computer actually use a 6-core CPU or is that a typo ?

speedstep · Answer

N1MFN Xeon Westmere X5650, 2.66/6.4GHz, 12MB, 95W, 6C is a dell part number so I would say yes.

Intel Xeon X5650 CPU SLBV3 is actually quite cheap now.

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-2-66GHz-Server-Processor-SLBV3/dp/B004EET19Y/

jeffshead · Answer

I know the Xeon's tend to run cooler but the X5650 is 95 watts. I don't think I'd waste the money just to see if it works especially since you can get a E8400 for about $7 off of the bay.

I installed the 95 watt Q9650 with a copper heat sink in my OptiPlex 780 and it runs fine but it still runs quite a bit hotter than it did with the original chip and aluminum heat sink.

H3LLC47 · Answer

I understand. For my applications though i need as many cores as i can jam in this machine, i'm a systems admin and i test lots of operating systems. That is why i was so happy to find out i could put a 6-core 12-thread CPU in this machine.

jeffshead · Answer

If you decide to install the X5650 in the XE, please let us know how well it runs, how you keep it cool and the socket adapter you use, etc :-)

H3LLC47 · Answer

Ok, will do. I looked on ebay and they are only about $20, so i'm not at too much of a loss if it doesn't work. Plus i have a server that i could put the CPU in if it doesn't work.

H3LLC47 · Answer

I bought the CPU, Guess what? The sockets are incompatible. The CPU is bigger than the socket.

jeffshead · Answer

Sorry to hear that :-( Thanks for sharing your experience. Mine still runs fine with the $6 E8400. Old stuff but still chugging along.

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