Q: Dimension E520 - more detailed CPU support information?

The fastest CPUs we validated are  -
KU345 Conroe E6600, 2.40G, 4MB, 1066FSB, B2
PN416 Conroe E6700, 2.66G, 4MB, 1066FSB, B2

Hi Chris,

If you will permit me one more naive question: do you know if there is a way I can determine if my BIOS (2.4.0) supports the multiplier necessary to run a 2.8 GHz CPU with 1066 MHz FSB? 

I ask because the slowest Core 2 Duo available for sale now in most stores is the new E6300 at 2.8 GHz.  I just wanted to make sure I did not buy a CPU and find it not work (as most stores have a no-return policy for such after opening the box :)

Thanks in advance,
Jack

Hi

Just searching though about a CPU upgrade. Can you tell me if / intel CPU Core 2 Duo E7400 2.8GHz 1066MHz FSB 3MB is also compatible with the Dell E520?

Thanks for you help

Anthony

Dual-Core "Wolfdale" • TDP: 65W • Fertigung: 45nm • FSB: 266MHz • L2-Cache: 3MB shared • Stepping: R0 • MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, iAMT2, TXT, Enhanced Halt State (C1E), Extended Stop Grant State (C2E), Deep Sleep State (C3E), Deeper Sleep State (C4E), Thermal Monitor 2

Hi, I'm just wondering what you ended up doing because I am in the same situation and am not sure if the E6300 will work?

thanks

Hi Tim888

I believe it should work, as my CPU is a 6320 - which is basically the same as the 6300 you are referring to (1.86GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 65W)...with the exception of the L2 cache - yours would have 2MB, while mine has 4MB.  In fact, I think at the time i purchased the computer, I paid an extra $20 to get the 6320 instead of the 6300...so if my memory serves me correctly, Dell was selling the Dimension E520 at one point with the 6300 CPU...

I hope that helps!

Best bet for your Dell E520 for graphic rendering, photoshop and gaming is the Q6600 or Q6700. I also had installed the QX6700 Quad Core Extreme at one time. These Quad Core processors will give you the performance you need with little else to upgrade. I ran mine on the Dell stock heatsink and power supply (PSU) that originally came with the system. Just make sure you flash your bios to version 2.4.0. For the graphic card I used the Radeon HIS HD 4670 1GB DDR3 (silent). I found that this was the only economical but powerful gfx card that I can install and fit nicely in the case without bumping into other components. I did not need extra power cable to run this card and the native power supply was more than sufficient. The HD 4670 was able to push my HDMI 23" monitor at 1080p for the latest Crysis & Call of Duty game without any issue what so ever. Also do not buy graphic cards that requires two slots. It will not fit! Don't try to overclock on the E520 because the bios software is lock and wont allow you to make adjustment. However, I was able to use my QX6700 when I got a new motherboard from Ebay and overclock to 4.0 GHz on air cooler (Master Cooler).

Hi,

Any idea if a Core 2 Extreme X6800 will work on Dimesion E520? It is a Conroe core extreme processor running at FSB 1066. 

Thanks,
cantedview 

I just installed the q6700.  Most of the time it runs cool .  When playing SWTOR the heatsink gets warm and so does the little heatsink next to it.  When running warzones on high graphics it all gets quite alarmingly warm.  Stays perfectly cool for Modern Warfare 4.   I've put an old cpu fan on the little heatsink and that helps.  I think I'm gonna cut a hole in the side of the case and cpu housing for another fan.

I know this thread is 2 years old now, but yes, the QX6800 works perfectly in the E520 provided that you have the latest BIOS (version 2.4.0) installed. I have one in my E520 along with 8Gb of PC6400 (800MHz) DDR2 RAM and it works just fine. Recognised the CPU immediately.