Question for the Computer Guys

[David Carter]

I have an old Dell Optiplex 755 at home, and I've been thinking about putting a different CPU in it. I'm not in the market for a new PC right now, and just wanted to see if I could get a little bit of a performance boost and learn something in the process. I've fooled with computers for years but never really messed with CPU before.

What I've got:
- Dell Optiplex 755
- Dell 0GM819 motherboard
- Intel E4600 CPU
- 2GB DDR2 PC5300 RAM

I was thinking of looking for a deal on a used E6x50 processor. It's my understanding that, among other things, this would give me a much better FSB speed which should result in better RAM and disk access times. Is that correct?

My questions are basically these:
- Could I really expect a visible performance improvement by making the CPU switch?
- Would I have to replace my RAM also to benefit from the increased FSB speed?
- Is it just a matter of popping out the old CPU and putting in the new one (along with some of that thermal paste stuff)? Or would I need a different heat sink and/or fan also?

Thanks in advance. I'm mainly trying to learn something new but hoping to gain something in the process...

[Chris_Allen]

It's feasible to just replace the CPU to get a boost but things like RAM performance, Front Side Bus (FSB) speed and Hard Disk performance also have an input.

Using an OEM motherboard can be a lottery sometimes are you can't be sure what it supports.

FSB speeds must be matched by the motherboard and memory.

You should already be running at 1333 FSB with PC-5300 memory.

Reducing latency is achieved with more memory or a quicker (larger) hard disk. Raw processing is obviously done with the CPU - I would always go for more MHz than cores in a CPU.

I'm not sure I've really answered much

Best way to make windows quicker is to get rid of the pointless processes and services.

[CafSentryGnome]

well it depends on what you are trying to do with it. as it stands those are an alright machine, the only thing i would do is put more ram in it. bring it up to 4gb. give it a bit of spring cleaning (virus/spyware scan. defrag) or reinstall the OS. if you want to play games you would have to put a graphics card in but you maybe limited if it is the slimline version of it. if its for something like SAC you would probably benefit from a faster CPU.

if you do want to put an new CPU in have a read around. the fastest cpu that i found that is meant to work is a Q9550 but this was from a 3rd party not dell. also don't put to much thermal paste on, too little and it wont work and too much and it wont work. a thin even layer is all that is needed. clean the old thermal paste off with isopropyl alcohol (IPA). and don't any thermal paste on anything but the top of the CPUs heat exchanger. if the thermal paste is conductive it will short out the board.

Exxx are dual core.
Qxxx are quad core.

[David Carter]

Thanks for the replies, guys. You raise some interesting points...

Regarding the CPU compatibility with the motherboard, the E6x50 series are/were also standard options in the Optiplex 755 using the same motherboard, so I wouldn't anticipate that being a problem. My main concern there was whether the existing heatsink/fan assembly would be OK. I don't know if the models that come with the E6x50 use the same assembly or not.

Regarding the question of what is the machine used for, it's mostly just internet, iTunes, etc. The one exception is that I've recently started dabbling again in music recording and editing. I've been using Reaper with RME souncard that gives me ADAT in and out which connect to my 01V mixer.

[DanielNY]

David,

If I'm not mistaken the motherboard will support up to 1066 cpu bus speed and DDR2 6400 RAM/800mhz. You could upgrade your memory to the faster memory and adding a bit more, say 4gb. The motherboard will support up to 8GB but only if your running a 64bit OS. With the memory upgrade alone you should "see" a slight improvement in performance. As for the CPU, your currently running 2.2-2.4 Ghz @ 800mhz bus so upgrading to E6XXX may not get you a faster clock speed but it will get you a faster bus speed @ 1066 to match the full potential of the motherboard. The stock fan should not be a problem because your still within the E class family of processors and even Dell doesnt go through the hassle of exactly matching the CPU fan to every single model.

Besides the processor and RAM, the only other upgrade to improve disk access time is to get as as fast a spindle speed as possible. If your not already running a 7200 rpm hard drive you should also look into that updrade. Another common adjustment to improve performance is to set your min/max virtual memory allocation to equal amounts. This reduces any variables that take up valuble time to process which impacts the real time processing needed when dealing with audio/video.

[bzb]

IME, the difference between the top tier processor that a motherboard supports and the ones a couple steps down are minimal. It's like adding 20 HP to a 450HP engine - for the most part, you're not going to notice it.

RAM has the biggest affect, usually. A good hard drive will boost your performance, a SSD even more so. But the best thing, by far, is customizing your Windows, as referred to above.

If you bump up on 4GB of RAM and you absolutely need to stay on XP, then grab a copy of NLite (free) and start customizing your Windows install. Remove old, useless drivers. Remove services that you know you won't ever use on that system. I've got a copy of XP that I put on my DJ laptop that installs under 300 MB and installs under 10 minutes by itself.

[BoostFab]

Your computer should take the Intel Q9650 processor (3.00 GHz clock speed, 1333MHz bus speed, 12MB cache, 45nm technology). It will be a big jump in speed with the 12mb cache. You can find many on ebay, but if you don't want to spend that much, also look into the Q6600. These processors are quad cores, more worthy of an upgrade then the E series.

Also you should max out the memory at 8GB RAM if you are running 64bit. If you are running windows xp or 32bit, then just upgrade it to 4Gb RAM.

[David Carter]

Thanks guys. Sounds like the priorities should be

- add RAM (I'm running XP, so 4GB max)
- consider new CPU

I'll proceed in that order.

[J_Dunavin]

I have to throw a plug out for linux.
I guess the first question is: What do you use your computer for? If like me only use it for internet, word processing, e-mail, pictures, ect. Then I suggest you give linux a try:
http://www.ubuntu.com/
You can actually run it from the cd tray before installing it. Though it will run slower.
If you are addicted to Itunes or some other windows only based kind of thing then it won't work.
I have been crash and virus free though ever since i switched. Just a thought....

[BoostFab]

ubuntu

funny, i'm posting this on my ubuntu laptop, but my graphic design work are done on my mac osx (hackintosh) pc.

[David Carter]

I wondered if the Linux topic would come up. I actually have dabbled several times in the past with Linux including twice with Ubuntu. I actually have another older Dell machine that I was thinking of putting it on just to play with it again as it's been a while.

For this machine, I do need Windows XP since that is the only option for using Reaper with my old RME ADAT soundcard. If they ever did a Linux version of Reaper, I'd definitely consider spending much more time with Ubuntu. Until then, I will continue to play but won't be able to switch completely. Having said that, our singer/guitarist uses Ubuntu on his machine and is currently test Reaper under Wine. We'll see...

[bzb]

If you only use a computer for Internet surfing, e-mail, word processing, and casual gaming, get an iPad and be done with it. Linux sucks

+1 if you get the smiley.

[BoostFab]

Linux sucks

LOL that is quite relative, my friend! Linux isn't for the faint of heart.
this very forums we posts on powered by Linux.

I do believe in the right tool for the job

[bzb]

Former BSD admin

[BoostFab]

Former BSD admin

BSD > Linux

admin job is too boring , so you get into sound ! LOL