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February 5th, 2026 17:26
Can the Dell Dimension e520 use an Intel core 2 quad q9550 cpu?
I found 3 ddr2 computers in my basement from a bit ago, and I want to make one of them, the e520 a literal tank. Have a primary 128gb sata ssd, and two hdds for storage.
It was just working with the intel(r) core(tm)2 cpu 4300 but when I tried putting in the q9550, it showed a solid amber light and the cpu fan was spinning fast.
I have thermal paste, I've tried leveling it evenly with the paste and screws, cleaned the pads with a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol, disconnecting the other two hdds incase it needed a little more power, same thing.
I have a 305w psu, 8gb ram, intel core 2 cpu 4300. I also have the dell optiplex 745 and 755 if those might be a better candidate than the e520. Any help and/or suggestions if possible would be appreciated.


ejn63
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February 5th, 2026 18:27
That CPU is not going to work in an E520.
https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/locked-topics-desktops-general/dell-dimension-e520-cpu-upgrade/647f2260f4ccf8a8de62ca49
Other Core 2 Quad CPUs will work though.
https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/optiplex-desktops/processors/647f7926f4ccf8a8de73deac
user_14f321
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February 6th, 2026 13:30
@ejn63 so what other common ddr2 motherboards support it then? And does my optiplex 755 or 745 support it?
ejn63
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February 6th, 2026 15:30
The 755 will take that CPU. Be sure the system has the latest firmware update.
user_14f321
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February 6th, 2026 15:35
@ejn63 thank you, it worked!