Optiplex 330 CPU Upgrade 2020

Question

Dear All,

these are times of smart working from home, as I can't bring from office to home my precision tower 5810,
i've decided to resume my old optiplex 330.

First steps :
-Upgraded local disk --> 1st drive KINGSTON SV300S37A120G + 2nd drive SanDisk SSD PLUS 240GB.
-Upgraded ram --> 2x2GB Patriot PSD22G8002
-Upgraded audio card --> Dell 181UR Creative Labs CT4780! Live Sound Blaster (kx drivers)
-Upgraded 2nd lan card --> Intel pro/1000 Gt Desktop PWLA 8391
-Succesfully installed Windows 10 Pro X64 v1903 Build 18362.778

Everything works well..until i had the brilliant idea to upgrade the CPU.

I've got a Intel Core 2 QUAD q8400/4 x2.66 GHz/4mb/1333mhz, and i've install it on the Optiplex 330.
First i've upgraded the bios on the current version that is A11
When i turn on the computer, it works!
But in system property and task manager im still seeing the old processor Core 2 E6550 originally on board and seems that are running only 2 cores at the same max frequency allowed on the Core 2 E6550.

Checking with HWinfo and Bios i realized that the Core 2 QUAD q8400 is correctly recognized,
the temperature was around 37 C° of both cores active at idle.

In the meantime that I meditated about a restore of windows through MediaCreationTool1909,
first i've change the username account (without password).. and when reboot...the computer no longer starts and goest to blue screen with error 0xc000000e.

-Tried to run Windows 10 from CD or USB in order to repair , result in blue screen kernel security check failure & attempted write to readonly memory.
-Desperate attempt to install Windows 7 X64 by USB, result in blue screen as bios is not fully acpi compliant.

As a last try, i've replace the original CPU Core 2 E6550, when boot Windows 10 has started and everything now works as well.
Obviously i've not lose any setting or programs and the username account was succefully changed

Well, last night i've got a bad moments.

I would like to ask you where i went wrong, i would like to try to upgrade the CPU again, but I would also not make my computer out of service. ( Need it to work )

Thank you.

B.R.

WeePretender · Accepted Answer

I'm in the same boat as you - trying to get some use out of some old machines. It appears to be a limitation of the chip set as opposed to anything else.

From Intel's website regarding the G31 Express Chipset:
"Supports the Intel® Core™2 Duo and the Intel® Core™2 Quad processors. Note: 1333 FSB is supported with Intel® Core™2 Duo processors only. Intel® Core™2 Quad processors are supported up to 1066MHz FSB speeds."

So, take your pick - quad core with a 1066MHz FSB limit, or dual core with 1333MHz FSB. It's a hard one - on one hand, memory access is limited, but on the other more recent software takes advantage of the threads.

redxps630 · Answer

Dell had not validated core2 quad for 330. The top validated C2D cpu is Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Processor (3.0 GHz, 4 MB L2 cache, 1333 MHz FSB) p.8/35 https://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optix_330_techspecs.pdf

it is strange that system property and cpuz registered different cpu when Q8400 is installed, but my best guess is when you install a quad core, only 2 of 4 got recognized and system may run into instability when it got confused.
330 wiki: Only latest BIOS Supports C2Quad, 1333 FSB and 8GB DDR2. Quad Core CPU's both 45 nm/65 nm works.

digitalchoice · Answer

The Y935C Wolfdale E8400 3.00GHz 6MB 1333FSB 65W CPU is validate too in this PC.

I've in stock a Core duo E8500 3,16GHz 6MB 1333FSB 65W.
I think it will work well as the E8400 (or the E6550 actually installed).

I will try to install the E8500 and hope that Windows recognizes the CPU as are changes from dual core to dual core.

Sincerely is not the moment to make a clear installation now to make working the Core2 Quad,
i should have done this in the beginning.

digitalchoice · Answer

Hi, today i've try again to make work the Q8400.

Tried to load win 10 from updated support on usb, it go in loop and the installation process never start.

If boot normally the system starts, here the screenshot of the situation.

bradthetechnut · Answer

Reference to the Q8400 working in the 330, scroll past the E8400: https://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Optiplex-330-CPU-Upgrade/td-p/3197555

Hi @digitalchoice,.Just so you know, we can't see images until they're approved by a moderator. It takes longer on the weekends.

We just had another thread, with a 760 (or right around there), in which the OP wanted to use a Q8400, but it turned out to be faulty.

digitalchoice · Answer

Hi all,yesterday i've tried again the cpu upgrade: Removed all the pci/usb devices exept keyboard and mouse, installed the Q8400 and new (not partitioned)ssd on sata 0.Failed to install windows 10 was occurred the errors indicated on post #1 or continuous loop (loading indication on screen)Failed to install windows 7, was occurred the errors indicated on post #1.Removed the Q8400 and installed the E8500.Windows 10 succesfully installed in a few minutes... i've take the opportunity to upgrade again the pci audio card, from Sound blaster live CT4780 to Sound blaster Audigy 2 SB0350.Im using as a video card the ASUS GeForce GT 710 1 GB DDR5 (I forget to indicate it in the post #1)Everything works well now, i have not idea about how someone makes work the Q8400 or Q6600 in this PC,it doesn't work for me.

bradthetechnut · Answer

You might be happy to know that going from an E8500 to a Q8400 would've only given you 29% better performance according to game-debate. That's barely noticeable. It's more noticeable when it's at least almost double.

Switching to an SSD and increasing RAM as you did can often make a more noticeable difference.

Optiplex 330 Tech Guide

Capture+_2020-05-17-15-19-56.png

digitalchoice · Answer

@WeePretender thank you for your comments.

That's are the magic words "Core™2 Quad processors are supported up to 1066MHz FSB speeds"

Q6700 are working well now on the machine, windows 10 updated quickly the processor automatically on the first boot, was not necessary change any value on the bios.

After an hour the temperature goes around 40C, i've use the thermal paste Arctic-MX4

I've take the opportunity to replace the video card with a Nvidia quadro NVS 295 to obtain multiple monitor on 2 displayport socket. It work well on windows 10 with drivers 342.01 win 10 x64.

I tried to find cores 2 quad QX series like QX6700, QX6800, but the price is around $90.
I found the Q6700 for $13,99 shipping included.

Using recent software like dwg true view looks 30% more fast.

Thank you all, B.R.

Optiplex Desktops

Optiplex 330 CPU Upgrade 2020

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