Dell XPS 610 CPU Upgrade?

[longmvu]

I have upgraded my upgraded my power supply a few months back with AC 101-102V and 50/60 Hz. I am looking to upgrade to a Intel Dual Core Quad Q6700 or Q6600. I want to know if it will work and if I need a new heatsink or thermal compound. I would also like directions on how to do this.

[patio]

Your PSU specs make no sense...
Will that Dell MBoard accomodate the new CPU ? ?
You may be better off considering a new build rather than throwin $$ at an old Dell.
Just food for thought.

[longmvu]

Your PSU specs make no sense...
Will that Dell MBoard accomodate the new CPU ? ?
You may be better off considering a new build rather than throwin $$ at an old Dell.
Just food for thought.

Ok just realized my mistake it is actually a Dynex 400-Watt ATX CPU Power Supply. The Dell Motherboard should work with the Q6700 according to my research if I upgrade the BIOS to v2.5.3. I currently have a budget of $200.

[DaveLembke]

What do you have for a video card?

400watts works fine for that quadcore as long as its not loaded down heavily by a heavy duty video card and/or multiple hard drives etc.

[longmvu]

What do you have for a video card?

400watts works fine for that quadcore as long as its not loaded down heavily by a heavy duty video card and/or multiple hard drives etc.

I am currently using Galaxy - GeForce GT 610 GC 1GB DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 Graphics Card.

[DaveLembke]

400 watts should work fine with Quadcore CPU as for this video card is not a watt hog. That is assuming that this PSU is a true 400 watt and not a power supply that is rated higher than it can actually power.

[camerongray]

A good 400w unit will be fine with that CPU but unfortunately the PSU you are using is extremely low end.  It may work, but I would strongly urge you to replace it with a good quality unit - Cheap PSUs like that "Dynex" one are almost always overrated (can't provide a full 400w) and lack safety features that would shut off the PSU in the event of a problem which can prevent fire and the PSU damaging other parts in the system.  The PSU is the one part of a system you should never cheap out on.

This PSU would do the job brilliantly - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151127

As far as heatsink/thermal compound - You will be able to use your current heatsink but you will need to clean off the old thermal compound (Ideally with rubbing alcohol) and apply new stuff.

[longmvu]

Any instructions on how to remove the heatsink?

[DaveLembke]

Be sure to flash the motherboard with latest BIOS before swapping CPU or else you may end up with a system that wont boot on you.

Heatsinks for socket 775 come in a couple different formats, with the most common being the 4 locking legs that unlock by screw driver, however if your heatsink is different than this, such as a higher end heatsink with heatpipes etc it will come appart differently.

Here is the most common heatsink type to off the shelf grade computers: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2231&page=7

[longmvu]

Be sure to flash the motherboard with latest BIOS before swapping CPU or else you may end up with a system that wont boot on you.

Heatsinks for socket 775 come in a couple different formats, with the most common being the 4 locking legs that unlock by screw driver, however if your heatsink is different than this, such as a higher end heatsink with heatpipes etc it will come appart differently.

Here is the most common heatsink type to off the shelf grade computers: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2231&page=7

I looked around and found this video. It is the same heat sink that is in my computer. Would I have to reapply the Thermal Paste after taking it off?

[patio]

Yes.

[camerongray]

Just to say again, you really should replace that PSU with one from a reputable brand like XFX, Seasonic, FSP, Antec, Corsair.etc - Those Dynex units are just rebadged, low end units that are extremely cheaply made - I certainly wouldn't trust one to run my PC.