CPU upgrade compatablility

ok, I'm looking to upgrade my CPU, i've got a 3 year old Dell Dimension 9200 now. specs:
-Nvidia 8600 GTS
-4+ GB RAM
-Vista 32 bit Home Edition
-Intel 2.4ghz E6600

my current CPU: Inte lDuo Core 2.4ghz E6600

Model Number sSpec Number Frequency L2-Cache Front Side Bus Mult Voltage TDP Socket Part Number(s)

Core 2 Duo E6600 SL9S8, SL9ZL (B2)[3] 2400 MHz 4 MB 1066 MT/s 9x 0.85 - 1.325 V 65 W LGA775 HH80557PH0564M

my currentMotherboard: Manufacturer: Dell

MPS Version: 1.40

Model: 0CT017

Serial Number: ..CN7082974S00FA.

I was looking to upgrade my CPU to this: Intel Duo E7600

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=38709&vpn=BX80571E7500&manufacture=Intel

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=41495

so, would the E7600 be compatible with my computer?

are there any other (intel please) processors that would be A) better, B) compatibleand C) underr $200?
thanks for looking :)

well i have a Duo Core as well a E2180 stock speed at 2.0GHz. i posted up a similar post a few weeks ago. and a lot of people told me dont bother upgrading to a Core 2 Duo.

instead they told me to upgrade to a Quad Core Duo CPU.

or told me to overclock my CPU.

which i did and i did picked up a lot of FPS from my games i OC from 2.0GHz to a 2.66GHz

well i have a Duo Core as well a E2180 stock speed at 2.0GHz. i posted up a similar post a few weeks ago. and a lot of people told me dont bother upgrading to a Core 2 Duo.

instead they told me to upgrade to a Quad Core Duo CPU.

or told me to overclock my CPU.

which i did and i did picked up a lot of FPS from my games i OC from 2.0GHz to a 2.66GHz

acsam12304

i was under the impressions that i would need to get a new motherboard and pwoersupply to upgrade to a quad-core, but if u know of one that's compatible wiht my current gear, linky linky please.
also, isn't a quad-core rather usless with current-gen stuff?
and how high do u think i could saftley overclock my 2.4 ghz processor too?
addeddum: is the 775 socket size the only thing i need to worry about compatability wise?
adddiontally: i heard overclocking a dell is like fighting a mytical fireberathing dragon with a box of matches, any truth to that?

i was under the impressions that i would need to get a new motherboard and pwoersupply to upgrade to a quad-core, but if u know of one that's compatible wiht my current gear, linky linky please.
also, isn't a quad-core rather usless with current-gen stuff?
and how high do u think i could saftley overclock my 2.4 ghz processor too?
addeddum: is the 775 socket size the only thing i need to worry about compatability wise?
adddiontally: i heard overclocking a dell is like fighting a mytical fireberathing dragon with a box of matches, any truth to that?

BlackDevil99

okay well u are right, u need a new psu because dell packs a puppy in that is literally, a puppy :P i am not to wise in psu's but yea ill have something alittle later. now i dont suggest ocing becuase u need a good cooler and a good cooler requires a bigger case to support the cooler. so i suggest getting this cpu or any of this within ur budget. yea the mobo has to have a 775 socket to hold a C2D, and the C2Q is a 775 socket as well so u have no worrie's about compatiabilty but u should worry about that 512mb of ram. i suggest getting 2 sticks of 2GB of ram. and ocing a dell, is exactly that

thanks for teh advice, nice to know all i really have to worry about is the 775 socket and psu
question: would a high ghz dual core beat a low ghz quad-core in gaming preformance?
I'm going to look at my psu to find out exactly what wattage it has, unless someone knows of a software to find out, gogle turns up nothing

ok, believe this is the magic number, cracked open my case and the sticker on the psu says this
DC Output 350W

according to Intel my current cpu uses 65 W, so i can definitley upgrade to anything that uses that same amount without changing my psu
the E7600 uses 65W as well
while the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz WildEdge linked uses 95W, think a 30W differnece is to great? anyway to know exactley how much of my 350W I am using?

We need to know the model and make of the motherboard because not all 775 motherboards are compatible with all 775 cpus such as the newer 45nm cpus. For example my cpu is a C2D 6750 but my motherboard only is compatible with quad cpus upto the Q6700 and not the newer 45nm models like Q8000 series, according to asus website. 350w is enough for your cpu upgrade, but if you plan on getting a better gpu your gonna need a much better psu.

my current Motherboard:
Manufacturer: Dell
MPS Version: 1.40
Model: 0CT017
Serial Number: ..CN7082974S00FA

so, what do i need to know about buying a new psu?
Nvidia reccomends a system power rating of 450W for the card I'll be getting (eventually)

As far as I can tell your cpu upgrades are limited, which I expected from Dell. According to this link in order to upgrade you need to flash your bios to a newer version.

thanks for the link :)

well, against my better judgment i did tech support chat with dell, lol, what a joke that was, the person/computer on the other end just said they do not recommend replacing a motherboard. According to the link, the highest i can go is an E6800, totally not worth it. well i always knew this was the last time i bought a pre-built computer, just reinforcing the point now.

me a friend just priced out a brand new super-special-awesome computer, salvaging a few parts from the dell (dvd drive and HDD), $850 final total price (canadian btw):
i5 3.4ghz dual core
Radeon HD5770
Intel DP55WG mobo
Antec 600 case
4gb RAM
650W PSU
the 500gb HDD from my current computer
and the DVD-RW drive from my current computer

so, this started with me wanting to upgrade my cpu, then i found out i'f need a new psu, then a new mobo
no more Dell for me, i highley discourage anyone from buying a dell.

anyone want to buy a dell dimsion 9200 missing a dvd drive and hdd? lol :)

thanks for teh advice, nice to know all i really have to worry about is the 775 socket and psu
question: would a high ghz dual core beat a low ghz quad-core in gaming preformance?
I'm going to look at my psu to find out exactly what wattage it has, unless someone knows of a software to find out, gogle turns up nothing

BlackDevil99

no the quad would perform better with todays games, unless of course it is a really low clocked one,

but a 2.6ghz quad or higher is way better than a dual at same speeds.

really? i must not understand computer tech as well as i thought
well the two i'm looking at specifically are:
3.2ghz dual core
2.4ghz quad core

thought so :)

thought so :)

BlackDevil99

actually alot of games that have come out in the past year (and even some before it) utilize quads, so a quad, clocked the same as a dual, the quad will be the better choice, i would take a 2.6ghz quad over a 3.0ghz dual. but if you can get a 2.8ghz quad do that and be done with it,

many more games utilize quads than just gta4, .... such a horrible misunderstanding for some.

but for a 3.2ghz dual vs. a 2.4ghz quad, thats creating a little more of a gap,

in this instance, you get the dual core to play games that have already been out, and some of the recent ones with better performance,

or you get the quad and play modern/future games with better perfomance..

or you can do like i mentioned and get a 2.8ghz or higher quad and get both great performance now, and later with modern and future games