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Possible 7010 processor upgrade
Question 1
I have an Optiplex 7010 with intel i3-2120 processor which, according to intel specifications, runs at (base) frequency 3.3 Ghz.
I am considering upgrading to an i7-3770s processor which, according to intel specifications, runs at base frequency 3.1 Ghz and can turbo boost to 3.9 Ghz.
(Interesting that the manual for the Optiplex 7010 states that the frequency of i7-3770s is 3.4Ghz. Where did they pull that from?)
As the base frequency of the i3-2120 is FASTER than the base frequency of the i7-3770s, would it be better to stick with the i3 processor?
What is the point in upgrading to a ‘faster’ processor if it is only faster when it turbos?
Question 2
The computer is using Win 7, 64 bit.
My bios is currently sitting at version A23. Is it worthwhile updating the bios to the latest A29 version?. I am currently at version A23. Or should I go to another version like A25 or something?
Question 3
Can anyone recommend a piece of freeware that will test the performance of my computer, that I might run this before and after CPU upgrade to confirm a performance improvement?
Thank you for your quick reply.
I should point out that it's the USFF 7010 I have <Private data removed from public view. DELL-Admin>
According to the manual, the i7-3770s is the fastest processor it can support? It makes no mention of the i7-3770.
(edited)
USFF has a weaker cooler so Dell validated CPU is energy efficient low TDP. 3770 is for the regular desktop MT or SFF which has more standard heatsink.
Dell 7010 USFF Intel core cpu list
(edited)
Thanks for confirming that the 3770S is the 'apparent' fastest CPU for the USFF 7010.
I'd appreciate it if someone knew definitively the answer to question 1 in my original post. I would hate to install the 3770s, run my 'one core' application, only to find out that the 2120 runs it better due to its faster clock speed.
No point in having a potential turbo speed of 3.9 Ghz if it doesn't stay at that clock speed on one core indefinitely.
The application I'll be running only uses one core. It does not utilise multi-core or hyper threading.
single core performance of 3770s still beats i3 2120
https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-3770S-vs-Intel-Core-i3-2120/m2218vsm2227
the base freq of cpu does not translate to single core performance, the latter being measured in real benchmark.
single core performance of cpu depends a lot on die design and etc, much more than a base frequency. In the past Intel cpu almost always beat AMD. We have seen AMD FX cpu that run at 4.2 GHz base freq yet they still perform poorly in single core compared to Intel running at lower 3.4 frequency.
https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-4770-vs-AMD-FX-4350/1978vs2880
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redxps630
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Posted December 16th, 2024 15:08
i7 is definitely better cpu than i3. It is not just base frequency but number of cores and threads. CPU rank is better benchmark index when comparing cpu.
Dell oem top cpu for 7010 (end of life) is i7-3770 which is better than the energy efficient i7-3770S.
Core i7-3770S @ 3.10GHz
Core i7-3770 @ 3.40GHz
if your pc works no need to update bios. Flash bios has certain risk so we recommend it only when it is absolutely necessary.
you can run free user benchmark test to compare your hardware with other uses having same spec pc.
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