CPU upgrade advice

scarecrow said:

Can my mobo handle the Q9550?

You might want to contact DELL on this one mate.

From everything I've seen/read, you should be fine, but it's better to be 100% sure.

pparks1 said:

SlackerITGuy said:

The ~500MHz increase is secondary, the 3 times the L2 cache (4MB vs 12MB), that's where the real difference is.

Yes, the extra L2 cache is the reason that I went with the Q9550 when I built my machine. And it's been a very fast, and reliable PC. I've had no complaints.

No doubt. Those high end LGA 775 CPU's can flat out fly.

pparks1 said:

SlackerITGuy said:

pparks1 said:

Yes, the extra L2 cache is the reason that I went with the Q9550 when I built my machine. And it's been a very fast, and reliable PC. I've had no complaints.

No doubt. Those high end LGA 775 CPU's can flat out fly.

Yeah, i was really happy that I held off on upgrading my machine for as long as I did. I started looking at the Q6600 CPU's....but then just kept waiting. When I pulled the trigger on my Q9550 it was July of 2009 and I got the CPU for $209 in retail packaging. And I'm still using the retail heat sink and fan even with my minor overclock. It's been a solid performing CPU...and I don't feel like I really have to upgrade to any of the core i5 or i7 boxes...but can instead sit right where I am for awhile and wait for the next big thing to come out. I usually build a new machine every 2-3 years...and it's only been about 16 months right now....so I've got some time to wait.

Sick deal mate .

Congrats.