Dell Optiplex 745 CPU Upgrade

[Jim74656]

Hello, my name is Jim and I have a Dell Optiplex 745 and I have been trying to tackle this project my self and been searching and reading over the past 24 or so hours, and I am in need of some help, what I want to do is ADD processor support for my Optiplex 745 so I can use a wider selection of LGA 775 chips, I would like to be able to still use the original Core 2 Duo (E4400 at 2.00 GHz) if I ever need to, but that is NOT something im set on, my goal would be to get quad core support and Xeon support in this rig. My main goal is not to add SLIC support or any thing fancy like that (the Xeon I want IIRC is not meant to OC anyways so OC is not a requirement) but to add further processor micro code support to allow for a wider range of processor to be used.

Anyways here is info on my system (to the best of my abilities)

Requirements for request:
-bios link:  http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/4...erId=GRJ7T
-whats happens: I.e. It doesn't boot / it shows an error (which? post a picture) no Errors: request is to add additional microcode/processor support for the LGA 775 platform
-screenshot from aida64>motherboard>cpuid
-CPU spec code (not sure what is needed here exactly) CPU is a E4400 "Conroe" "6F2 (Family: 6, Model: F, Stepping: 2, Instruction set is MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, EM64T
Mainboard: Dell 0WK833
Chipset: Q965 REV: C1
Current Bios version (on the machine of interest): 2.6.6
Microcode: Rev. 0x000005D

I hope this info helps someone out and perhaps will encourage some one to maybe assist me with my goal, and help others who have similar machines like mine to gain further use of our aging machines continue living a good life.

[DeathBringer]

Official BIOS 2.6.6 already has microcode for CPUID=0x6F2.

[Jim74656]

ok just to make sure I am understanding you correctly. (updated previous post with processor Microcode just incase it is needed)

Bios 2.6.6 (currently on machine) will let me drop in a LGA 775 Xeon processor with quad core? reason I asked is I tried to drop in a Xeon LGA775 that I had sitting around and the poor Dell didn't like the chip and refused to boot, hence why I want to add further micro code to the bios to allow me to use more processors.

CPU Name
Intel® Core™2 CPU 4400 @ 2.00GHz
Threading
1 CPU - 2 Core - 2 Threads
Frequency
1994.88 MHz (10 * 199.49 MHz)
Multiplier
Current: 10 / Min: 6 / Max: 10
Architecture
Conroe / Stepping: L2 / Technology: 65 nm
CPUID / Ext.
6.F.2 / 6.F
IA Extensions
MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, EM64T
Caches
L1D : 32 KB / L2 : 2048 KB
Caches Assoc.
L1D : 8-way / L2 : 8-way
Microcode
Rev. 0x000005D
Vcore
1.325 Volts

[DeathBringer]

For which CPU (exactly) would you like to add a microcode?

[Jim74656]

I was hoping to start at lets say the E3110 and work up, I really would like to have a quad core Xeon in the box or even an 8 core (my goal is to at least have a quad core with hyper threading) and to "future resist" the box a bit more.


I will say I would like to get Conroe (65NM) or better (thinking along the lines of 45NM or better) if that is possible? Im looking at perhaps a X3380 if that is possible.

[DeathBringer]

45-nm CPUs aren't supported by this system.
Most of quad cores 65-nm CPUs is natively supported by Official BIOS 2.6.6.
Support for Xeons with Kentsfield core was already added in cerverappz's mod.

[Jim74656]

I did take a look at that mod (one reason I made this request) and that is all LGA 771, and I was hoping to stick to the 775 socket, im ok with sticking to the 65NM chips also, I will try a xeon with 65NM and see if that works, but to be clear from my understanding based on what your stating the Xeons (quad core) should work with out issue on the 2.6.6 Bios?

also with that mod, it looks like if I flash to that Bios I will loose 775 capabilities, and I want to be able to use my 775 (i have more of the 775 chips any ways).

[DeathBringer]

it looks like if I flash to that Bios I will loose 775 capabilities

No, you are wrong. For LGA775 official BIOS 2.6.6 is recommended, the exception - Xeons with Kentsfield core.

[Jim74656]

ok so then that would mean, if I flash that bios I will still have use of my current 775 plus the addition of more 775 PLUS the 771 socket chips?

here is what makes me think they are removing the LGA 775 support from the bios, as stated in the mod thread so hence my mild confusion as to the reference to the mod?

Mods Details:
Removed LGA775 E0 (1067A Platform 0,4)
Added LGA771 E0 (1067A Platform 2,6)

[DeathBringer]

here is what makes me think they are removing the LGA 775 support from the bios, as stated in the mod thread so hence my mild confusion as to the reference to the mod?

Mods Details:
Removed LGA775 E0 (1067A Platform 0,4)
Added LGA771 E0 (1067A Platform 2,6)

It does not apply to Dell Optiplex 745, because it hasn't support 45nm CPU with CPUID=0x1067A. Official BIOS and mod haven't microcode for this CPUID.