Member Avatar for zeek92

i have a pentium d 2.80gh currentlly

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Short answer: most likely no for a stock Dell Dimension E510/E5150. The board uses an LGA775 socket and an Intel 945G chipset (so the CPU fits physically), but chipset capability is not the same as OEM support. notes Dell's refusal, correctly points out that BIOS support matters, and confirms an E5150 shipped for him that runs Pentium D but not Core 2 — the Phoenix A07 BIOS reported by matches those observations.

Why this matters: motherboard vendors must include CPU microcode, FSB/voltage support and tested VRM behavior in the BIOS. Even if the 945G can theoretically run some Core 2 parts, a Dell OEM BIOS that never added that support will usually refuse to boot an unsupported Core 2. Also, these machines use a uBTX/micro-BTX layout, so replacing the board with a standard ATX motherboard requires a new case and power supply.

Practical checks and safe options

  • Verify the system Service Tag on Dell Support and read the BIOS release notes and official CPU support list; absence of Core 2 models = no official support.
  • If Dell lists specific Core 2 models and a BIOS update adds them, update the BIOS only with Dell's release before installing a new CPU.
  • If the BIOS lacks support, the practical choices are: keep the Pentium D, buy a replacement ATX motherboard/case/PSU and a compatible Core 2 (E6xxx-series), or buy a different system. Hard drives are reusable; OEM Windows licenses often tie to the original motherboard.
  • Avoid unofficial/modded BIOS fixes unless willing to accept a high risk of bricking and no warranty.

Recommendation: for a durable, low-risk Core 2 upgrade, plan a full platform swap (ATX board + case + PSU) and pick a board with proven Core 2 BIOS support rather than relying on the Dell E5x0 platform.

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Member Avatar for The New Normal

Well the person in this thread here: got a response from Dell saying 'no' with no explanation, but got the response: "They generally will tell you no because they want to discourage you from doing it."

On this Dell page the processor options don't include a C2D: http://tinyurl.com/2eodqj

Suppose I should have just said 'I don't know', lol.

Member Avatar for zeek92

well if it cant can anyone suggest a cheap but good mobo that can support it and has pci express 16x

Member Avatar for willcomp

What is the model # of your PC?

I believe that's a BTX form factor motherboard and BTX boards are no longer available from major parts suppliers like NewEgg, Directron, and mWave. An ATX motherboard will not fit your case.

Member Avatar for zeek92

What is the model # of your PC?

I believe that's a BTX form factor motherboard and BTX boards are no longer available from major parts suppliers like NewEgg, Directron, and mWave. An ATX motherboard will not fit your case.

not sure what the model number thing is but i have a dell E510, and i dont know what the btx boards or an atx mobo is.

Member Avatar for willcomp

This is your motherboard -- a micro BTX (uBTX) form factor.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim5150/en/sm/techov1.htm#wp1058472

This is a uATX motherboard. Note differences in CPU mounting and that boards are reversed.
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2435

According to technical specifications for your Dell motherboard, it does not support Core 2 Duo CPUs although the Intel 945G chipset will support them. Chipset support is irrevalent if BIOS does not support the Core 2 Duo CPUs.

I suggest you get help from a technical savvy friend to familarize you with technical aspects of PCs when tackling upgrades.

Member Avatar for zeek92

This is your motherboard -- a micro BTX (uBTX) form factor.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim5150/en/sm/techov1.htm#wp1058472

This is a uATX motherboard. Note differences in CPU mounting and that boards are reversed.
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2435

According to technical specifications for your Dell motherboard, it does not support Core 2 Duo CPUs although the Intel 945G chipset will support them. Chipset support is irrevalent if BIOS does not support the Core 2 Duo CPUs.

I suggest you get help from a technical savvy friend to familarize you with technical aspects of PCs when tackling upgrades.

well this is my north bridge.... North Bridge: Intel Lakeport-G i945G

so i can support a c2d then right?

Member Avatar for willcomp

No, not if the BIOS doesn't support it.

One of the newer BIOS revisions may support the C2D CPUs but that would be a gamble unless you can find information from someone who has successfully installed a C2D in a Dell E510 or 5150 PC.

Member Avatar for zeek92

No, not if the BIOS doesn't support it.

One of the newer BIOS revisions may support the C2D CPUs but that would be a gamble unless you can find information from someone who has successfully installed a C2D in a Dell E510 or 5150 PC.

ill try to find someone who installed a cd2 in a dell E510 but in the meantime, here is my bios info, mabe you can tell me from this info

Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A07

Member Avatar for willcomp

That's the latest BIOS. As best I can tell, Series 900 Pentium D CPUs are the latest ones supported. Those are dual core P4s.

Member Avatar for jbennet

no. ive got a 5150 (d510) and it came with a pentium4 ht and supports the D but not the Core2

Member Avatar for zeek92

That's the latest BIOS. As best I can tell, Series 900 Pentium D CPUs are the latest ones supported. Those are dual core P4s.

well ok thank you, ill probbably just save up for a new mobo and c2d since im getting a job soon (just turned 16)

i alreaddy have a pentium D 2.80 ghrz how much of a difference would i notice with a e660 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115003)

and is this a good mobo?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

Member Avatar for jbennet

you cant get a new motherboard and use it with your dell case, power supply or copy of windows. It wort work, they are nonstandard, proprietary components

what country are you in?

if you are UK look at www.novatech.com under the barebones section

Member Avatar for zeek92

you cant get a new motherboard and use it with your dell case, power supply or copy of windows. It wort work, they are nonstandard, proprietary components

what country are you in?

if you are UK look at www.novatech.com under the barebones section

i know i gona get a new case also and a new power supply and i got windows vista for free if you know what i mean ;)

and im in the usa

oh and would my hard drive work tho in the new case?

Member Avatar for jbennet

yeah hard drives are standard

disregard my link , they dont shop to the US
and dont mention piracy

Member Avatar for willcomp

The Gigabyte P35 mobo is a good one -- I've used several. It does not have a RAID controller though.

The E6750 is cheaper and higher performance. A much better buy. Selected mobo supports the E6750.

Now call this one resolved.

commented: he helped me ALOT! +1
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