Upgrading CPU

The manuals for my computer are here. I don't seem to be able to find any others.

Also, the Hyper 212 + looks quite conplicated to install, are there any other alternatives which I just as simple as the stock fans to attach (just apply thermal paste and attach on)?

 

OK, you have a 4-pin connection top left of CPU, you're good for that. As to installing the cooler, unless you have a backdoor in your case(open the right side of the case) directly behind the CPU, then you will have to remove the motherboard entirely, hook up the backplate and join with the cooler and then reinstall same.

It's not complicated but it is tedious and you have to mind the small wires that are hooked up to the case from the motherboard for the power button etc. How is your HS/F mounted now? Is it with those white plastic push pins?

Those are tough to take out from the top and may also require you to remove your motherboard, depending on a backdoor of course, then you may be able to align them properly for removal.

 

My current HS/F is attached like this, look under Inspiron 546.

Are there any heatsinks that do not require a backdoor?

I am worried about the heatsink not being able to fit in my case, they all look very big on videos, especially the Hyper 212+, and I do not think it will be able to fit.

 

Just missed that I can edit my post, just ignore that last post.

My current HS/F is attached like this, look under Inspiron 546.

Are there any heatsinks that do not require a backplate?

I am worried about the heatsink not being able to fit in my case, they all look very big on videos, especially the Hyper 212+, and I do not think it will be able to fit.

Also, how can I tell whether my motherboard has a backplate?

 

OK, you have the good old screws.:cool Try something like this, inexpensive and looks like it will fit your config with no tool installation, place it and then pull the lever. Do see if you have the room as it is a big one too!

The main reason that many these coolers have backplates is that they're too heavy to hold by screws or pushpins. Check with the supplier first if they think it will fit the Dell, there's no way I can guarantee it.

 

I took a look at that one, but I did not know that it would be so easy to fit & thought that it would not be so good as the price is not much.

I am about to find out the size of, then I might open up my case and measure how much room I have inside it.

Just noticed that the fan connecter is 3-pin, isn't my connector 4-pin?

 

Just opened my case, and the fan should just about fit, and I do have a 4-pin fan connector, so does that mean that cooler won't work?

 

The cooler has a 4 pin PWM connection.

 

Says 3 pin for me. This is from the OC'ers site, link: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-000-AR

Edit: Just seen on Newegg that it says it has a 4 pin connector. Did OCers make a typo or was I just looking at the wrong part?

 

Details, details, details.:-D Ya, one doesn't really need a 4-pin PWM fan connection if the thing isn't noisy, let it go full blast. Anything under 15 db is basically non-noise creating.

 

I don't think my motherboard has a 3-pin connection though?

I still don't know what cooler to go for. I am worried about the cooler not being able to attach to my system. Hoping to order everything tonight, which do you think would be best for me?

 

PWM is a 4pin connection.

I would say it's a typo!

I have an account on that forum and will ask for you!

 

Thanks. I found your post and there has been a reply in which they think it is a typo as well.
I don't think that Artic Cooler Freezer 64 Pro will work, as before augiedoggie said I had the old screws from looking at that manual here, but you need to scroll down a bit to see the Inspiron 546 which uses a clamp lever system, not four screws.

Do you two know of any decent clamp lever heatsinks?

 

The one I linked to is a clamp lever, I'm just not sure if it will fit your situation. The old Dell thing, does it fit?

 

How to link.

 

I'm sorry, I do not understand what 'old dell thing' you are talking about.

 

Just ordered:

AMD Phenom X4 Quad Core 9850 2.50GHz Black Edition (Socket AM2) - OEM
OCZ StealthXStream 500w Silent Power Supply
Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro PWM CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2) - Out of Stock
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g)

Everything is supposed to arrive tomorrow, but the Cooler is out of stock, will they tell me when they are going to be delivering it?

 

Great!

They will send it to you ASAP, they may even order one in just for you.

You could make a post on their forum and ask how long it will be.

 

Oh, that would be brilliant if they did. However I can wait if they can't, do you know roughly how often they get stock in?
I would ask on their forum, but account creation requires an administrator to accept your accept, so I can't yet.

 

It changes from item to item.

As this is an old cooler, it could be up to a week or two:cry

I will post for you!

 

It's looking good for later this week.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18135424

 

What I meant was that Dell used to do a lot of proprietary things to try and keep people from going to 3rd parties to buy hardware. They are better now for following industry standards but I don't know how much better, that's all. I could be completely wrong too as I don't know my elbow from a Dell.

 

Unfortunatly I can't view that thread as I my account has not been activated yet by an admin. Could you possibly copy and reply contents here if that isn't to much trouble?

Thanks for clearing that up for me auggie. Also, thank you for linking me to that installation guide of the cooler, that will come in extremely handy when it arrives!

 

ME:

Not sure if this is in the right section, please move if not.

Do you know when stock will be in for this cooler?

I know it can be hard to know for sure, but any idea of an ETA?

OcUK founder;

Good afternoon burrell,

We are hoping to have some stock arriving at some point this week. Soon as stock arrives it shall state on the website, you can also order the item now if you wish so it can be paid for now and then we shall dispatch soon as they are booked in; in our warehouse.

 

Thank you very much. Thats good news, I have read my emails and the items have been shipped. It says:

Goods Shipped:
£75.74 x 1 - AMD Phenom X4 Quad Core 9850 2.50GHz Black Edition (Socket AM2) - OEM
£39.14 x 1 - OCZ StealthXStream 500w Silent Power Supply
£11.91 x 1 - Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro PWM CPU Cooler (Socket 754939940AM2)
£5.95 x 1 - Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g)

Could this possibly mean that I did manage to order the arctic cooling freezer in time to receive it tomorrow?

 

Knoing OcUK you will get your order tomorrow, but they cannot ship somethingthey do not have, but maybe they do have one lying around, guess you will just have to wait and see.

 

Hopefully, but I don't mind to wait. Just seen that I will need a retention module with this cooler, as show here. It says:

[on step 3]

Does that mean I will need to buy a retention module as I do not have one already, or should the cooler come with one? - If I do need to buy one, I am guessing that this here is right.

Also, what is a good program to see my CPU temperature?

 

I'm not too sure about the rest of your question, but about the CPU temp, i like to use SpeedFan as it shows temps, and allows you to change fan speeds.

CPUID Hardware monitor is also very good, showing voltages and temps, with min/max etc.

 

Speccy is my personal favorite, it also gives a lot of info about the PC.

http://majorgeeks.com/Speccy_d6358.html

 

Have you got the bits?

Hows it going? Did you need a BIOS update?

 

Find out what kind socket your motherboard has.Find out also if your motherboard is a 32-bit ore 64-bit one. The major sockets are:

* Socket 370: Intel Pentium III, Celeron.
* Socket 462 (socket A): AMD Athlon, Duron, Athlon XP, Athlon XP-M, Athlon MP, Sempron.
* Socket 423: Pentium 4.
* Socket 478: Intel Pentium 4, Celeron, Pentium 4 Extreme Edition.
* Socket 479 (mobile): Intel Pentium M, Celeron M, Core Solo, Core Duo.
* Socket 754: AMD Athlon 64, Sempron, Turion 64.
* Socket 775: Intel Pentium D, Pentium 4, Celeron D, Pentium Extreme Edition, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad.
* Socket 939: AMD 64, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64 FX, Sempron, Opteron.
* Socket 940: AMD Athlon 64 FX, Opteron.
* Socket AM2/AM2+: AMD Athlon 64, FX, Opteron, Phenom


Buying a New Motherboard and Replacing the Processor

 

Hello, everything arrived today (including the cooler) after me missing the delivery yesterday (Didn't think it would be so quick)!

I have installed everything and everything seems to be working (computer is running faster), however, is there anyway I can check this as I am worried that I have done something wrong and it may just all fail on me soon? =/

For installing the cooler I did not use my thermal paste as it already had some applied on it. The average temperature is 47C at the moment, that seems quite hot. Perhaps I did not install the fan correctly or is this normal for the first few hours of it working?

Are there any drivers that I should install for this?

 

Great! I hope you are feeling the self satisfaction you get when you press the power button after rebuilding a system :-D

If anything has been done wrong, you would most likely have noticed at first boot, like BSOD's or the machine not booting at all.

There are no Drivers to be installed.

47C is a bit high, is that an idle or load temp?

The thermal paste on the cooler should be sufficient, but the Arctic Silver is MUCH better, it is worth your while installing it.

If you want to be reassured, take a picture and i will check it for you.

 

It was brilliant!

After installing my new hardware, my system booted up saying 'Resuming Windows' (perhaps I didn't shut it down properly) and then got a BSOD, unfortunatly this flashed away rather quickly so I did not get time to read it. However, the system then restarted and booted up perfectly.

As I am typing this message, CPUID Hardware Monitor is telling me that all the cores of my CPU are 39C, and every 5 minutes or so they are decreasing. I just tested it on Left 4 Dead on high settings and it was at ~50C.

I can definitely tell that my machine is running faster in certain areas now so that has relaxed me that I have installed it correctly hopefully.

 

Sounds good!

Thermal paste always takes a few days to "burn in", so expect temps to drop over the next few days.

Those temps look fine, but if you want it that extra bit cooler, you know where the Arctic Silver is

Looks like you are sorted, but if not, then you know where to come for help!

This has been quite a lengthy thread!

Burrell

 

Brilliant! I will see how the temperature looks over the next few days and then perhaps apply the other paste if I am worried about the temperature being to high.

Thank you very much for all you and auggiedoggies help! It has been extremely useful and has helped me to purchase the right hardware and install it correctly. I appreciate you taking your own time to help me!

Thanks again.

- Tim

 

Aah, another happy customer!:cool I'm very happy that everything came together, especially since it's a Dell, I guess they are following industry standards these days and my concerns were for naught. As to the heat, the pad should melt somewhat thereby making better contact over time. Congrats and it was my pleasure.

Oh, disable auto reboot so if you ever do get a BSOD then it will stay on the screen until you reset the machine.